When I was a kid, taco night mean hard shells, ground beef cooked with a packet of seasoning and shredded cheese. It was fun, because you got to “make” your own dinner, putting as much meat and cheese on as you wanted (though mom probably insisted that I put a little lettuce on it too). And eating with your hands! But my, how times have changed and only for the better. Tacos … [Read more...] about Chicken Tinga
Mexican
Squash Blossom Quesadillas with Summer Squash Salsa
I love squash blossoms, as I have said before. So imagine my delight on my recent trip to Tepotzlan in the central mountains of Mexico, to find squash blossoms used in a huge variety of dishes. I had freshly made quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese for breakfast each morning, and stalls in the market offered sautéed squash blossoms as an add-in for tacos. The … [Read more...] about Squash Blossom Quesadillas with Summer Squash Salsa
Posole (Mexican Chicken and Hominy Soup)
One of the great joys of my life in food is meeting other food writers in amazing places. This winter, I had the great pleasure of spending an amazing week at a writing workshop in Tepotzlan, Mexico at Cocinar Mexicano. Iconic food writer Betty Fussell lead a spectacular group of women through the birth of some great writing projects. Tepotzlan is nestled in the mountains of … [Read more...] about Posole (Mexican Chicken and Hominy Soup)
Tequila Chili Almonds
I love a nutty little nibble with cocktails, and I have developed many versions over the years. These almonds are a riff on my Lemon Garlic Cashews, with a nod to the Bourbon Rosemary Pecans. Whip up a batch of Fresh Citrus Margaritas and get ready to celebrate! Look for raw, blanched almonds (with no brown skin) in the bulk bins or a Middle Eastern section or grocery. I … [Read more...] about Tequila Chili Almonds
Creamy Hominy Bake with Green Chiles and Cheese
My primary memory of hominy is a quick Sunday night dish my mom used to whip up with eggs and sausage, but I love hominy as a more unusual side for a good Mexican meal. I recently made this dish for a gathering of my parents’ friends, and when they realized it was hominy, I got a few looks. One friend told me she hadn’t had hominy since early childhood, when it was served in … [Read more...] about Creamy Hominy Bake with Green Chiles and Cheese