Recipes and Essays

Native Comida Casera – Doña Maria

Native Comida Casera – Doña Maria

FOCUS ON HOUSTON:  Native comida casera is the second topic in this 5-part series for diners who are looking for a unique Mexican dining experience. Houston is home to many fine Mexican restaurants, gracing every neighborhood of the city, but in this series I focus […]

Yucatán Cuisine  in Houston Merida Restaurant

Yucatán Cuisine in Houston Merida Restaurant

FOCUS ON HOUSTON: Yucatán cuisine is the first feature in this 5-part series for diners who are looking for a unique Mexican dining experience. Houston is home to many fine Mexican restaurants, gracing every neighborhood of the city, but in this series I focus on […]

Dichos Mexicanos – Mexican Sayings

Dichos Mexicanos – Mexican Sayings

“El que tiene mas saliva, traga mas pinole” Dichos Mexicanos are sayings or proverbs that are handed from generation to generation as a way to preserve and teach important aspects of cultural wisdom, insight and philosophy.  I’m combining this archived recipe for pinole with the […]

Caldo De Carne Seca — It’s Truly “Rancho” Delicious

Caldo De Carne Seca — It’s Truly “Rancho” Delicious

This caldo de carne seca, dried beef soup, is the perfect Texas Mexican recipe to begin the new year, 2022. Caldo de carne seca is like a rustic broth and is a true rancho recipe. The Spanish word rancho means a common meal, a mess […]

3 Holiday Mexican Sweets: Hojarascas, Turcos, Champurrado!

3 Holiday Mexican Sweets: Hojarascas, Turcos, Champurrado!

Holiday Mexican sweets were front and center this week at my AARP holiday cooking demo! I promised to share the three recipes here, in one place, so I’ve collected them from my archives. (Apologies to my longtime friends, ’cause you’ve seen these before). Thank you, […]

Chipotle Salsa with Rosemary

Chipotle Salsa with Rosemary

Chipotle salsa with rosemary takes the best aromas of homemade chipotles en adobo (recipe in previous post) and creates a bright, herbal salsa that tastes as smooth as silk and picante as Mexican salsa should be.  You can use canned chipotles for this recipe if […]

Molcajete Salsa Ranchera at Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Molcajete Salsa Ranchera at Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Molcajete salsa ranchera is truly a cornerstone of Mexican gastronomy. This roasted salsa ranchera version has an earthy, smoky taste that makes it perfect for spring cookouts, accompanying roasted vegetables, meats and fish. There are also boiled and fried versions, and of course, the original fresh […]

Guisado de Calabacita Con Maíz – Squash Corn Stew

Guisado de Calabacita Con Maíz – Squash Corn Stew

Guisado de calabacita con maíz is a traditional combination that’s unbeatable for depth of flavor and texture.  No creams or cheesy additions are needed here. Paired with steaming, comal-rosted corn tortillas, this ancient combination makes beautiful tacos.  Careful, people may actually fall in love with […]

Turnip and Poblano Rajas – Nabo Con Rajas

Turnip and Poblano Rajas – Nabo Con Rajas

Turnip and Poblano Rajas is a casserole dish that’s great for a party buffet or for the everyday family meal. Nabo, turnip, was served often at our kitchen table, we always had lots of vegetables.  The rajas we ate most often were either the anaheim […]

Two Mexican and Two Spanish Soups to Brighten Your Days!

Two Mexican and Two Spanish Soups to Brighten Your Days!

Fall starts on September 22nd in the northern hemisphere, with darker days and colder nights, while Covid continues its surge of sickness and death. Pieces of advice: 1.  Get vaccinated now! 2.  Wear a mask at indoor public places! 3.  Make and Savor These 4 […]