The Aztec/Nahuatl word izquitl roughly translates as “toasted corn”. The word itself, izquitl, has morphed into its modern day version, esquites, and is still used in Mexico today. Esquites has now made its way north of the border too, mostly because corn slathered in creamy, Chili-Lime sauce is a dish that can quickly transcend culture boundaries. In other…
Simple, Epic Refried Beans
You are 10-15 minutes away from authentic refried beans that will outperform anything you can get north of the border. But the question is……where are you starting from? Are you using homemade beans or canned beans? If you’re starting with homemade beans then give yourself a quick congratulations as most of the work is already done. For…
Frijoles de Olla (Mexican Pot Beans)
Beans are on the shortlist of nominees to become the Official Ambassador of Mexican Cuisine. And it’s a well-deserved nomination at that. These nutritional powerhouses are loaded in protein and fiber, and they’ve been a staple in Mexican cooking since the beginning. They also taste better when you make them at home, and once you see how easy it…
Single Serving Queso Fundido
A typical Queso Fundido recipe is reserved for big occasions: birthdays, Superbowls, the Fourth of July. It’s best eaten within minutes of completion and it usually takes a crowd to accomplish this when there’s a dish full of melted cheese coming out of the oven. Then add in that melted cheese doesn’t exactly store well…
Authentic Mexican Cooking Ingredients Part I
I’ve been getting some questions about ingredients used in the last few recipes, so consider this a start to a comprehensive list of Mexico-based ingredients that might be new to your kitchen. But the list comes with one big disclaimer: Mexican cuisine is very forgiving, so you rarely have to use exact ingredients to achieve the…
Chicken in Peanut Sauce — Pollo En Salsa De Cacahuate
Warning: now entering the unheralded category of Rustic Sauce that is slowly becoming more common outside of Mexico. Combining nuts and seeds with core salsa ingredients can create an instant delight that can be used in an infinite number of ways. You’ll recognize the base here as the Tomato-Chipotle Salsa that we tackled a couple weeks ago….
The Only Guacamole Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Spend three minutes reading this post and your reward is a lifetime of Epic Guacamole that can be made in seconds, not minutes. You’ll be surprised how such a simple recipe can make guacamole taste so complete. Guacamole Recipe and Instructions You can print out the recipe sheet at the bottom of this page or you…
Ancho Chicken Enchiladas
Picture an abuela hunched over a fire in the rural heartland of Mexico, stirring a sauce inside a clay pot. She moves slow, but efficient, like she has all the time in the world. She’s got something she wants to tell you: Esto es facil. No mas salsa de enchiladas de la lata, esta…
Tomato Chipotle Salsa Step-by-Step
I’ve been getting some questions about the Tomato Chipotle Salsa used in the latest burrito post, so here’s a step-by-step account showing the easiest way to make it. It’s the perfect example of a salsa that has become multiuso. Not only does it work in the aforementioned burrito, but it can improve just about anything else you want to goop…
Anatomy of My Current Favorite Burrito
Here’s what the inside of my current favorite burrito looks like: It has five main components. Seasoned chicken breast (#1). Jack cheese (#2). Simple Mexican Rice (#3). Tomato-Chipotle salsa (#4). Basic Guacamole (#5). It may look like they have equal weighting, but one of the components in particular is the real star of this burrito. Wanna guess…