The long-awaited, best-selling cookbook from Mely Martínez, The Mexican Home Kitchen, compiles the traditional home-style dishes enjoyed every day in Mexican households, with influences from states like Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Veracruz, Puebla, Estado de México, and Yucatán.
*As featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, People Magazine, The Smithsonian Magazine, Eater, Epicurious, Chowhound, The Kitchn, Prevention, and Taste of Home*
Illustrated with stunning photography, this book includes recipes for stews, soups, and side dishes, along with famous dishes like mole, enchiladas, picadillo, and milanesa, and is rounded out with delicious salsas, drinks, and desserts.
For Mely Martínez, Mexican cooking has always been about family, community, and tradition. Born and raised in Tampico, Mely started helping in the kitchen at a very young age, since she was the oldest daughter of eight children, and spent summers at her grandmother’s farm in the state of Veracruz, where part of the daily activities included helping grind the corn to make masa.
Mely started her popular blog,
Product details
Publisher : Rock Point (September 15, 2020)
Language : English
Hardcover : 192 pages
ISBN-10 : 1631066935
ISBN-13 : 978-1631066931
Item Weight : 1.95 pounds
Dimensions : 8.3 x 0.8 x 10.3 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #6,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#4 in Mexican Cooking, Food & Wine
#13 in Budget Cooking
#21 in Comfort Food Cooking (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.8
3,895 ratings
FAQs on Mexican Cuisine
1. What are the essential ingredients in Mexican cuisine?
Mexican cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors and diverse ingredients. Essential ingredients include:
- Corn: Used in tortillas, tamales, and other dishes.
- Beans: A staple in many dishes, including sides and stews.
- Chiles: Both fresh and dried, they add depth and heat.
- Tomatoes: Used in salsas, sauces, and many traditional dishes.
- Cilantro, Onion, and Lime: Common fresh garnishes that add a burst of flavor.
- Avocado: Essential for guacamole and many other dishes.
2. How do you make homemade tortillas?
To make homemade tortillas, you need masa harina (corn flour), water, and salt. Mix these ingredients to form a dough, divide into small balls, then press each ball flat using a tortilla press or rolling pin. Cook each tortilla in a hot, dry skillet until puffy and slightly brown. Homemade tortillas are perfect for tacos, enchiladas, and many other Mexican dishes.
3. What are some popular Mexican street foods?
Popular Mexican street foods include:
- Tacos: Soft or crispy tortillas filled with meats, veggies, and salsas.
- Elotes: Grilled corn on the cob, often smothered in mayonnaise, cheese, and chili powder.
- Tamales: Masa dough filled with meats or cheeses, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed.
- Quesadillas: Tortillas filled with cheese and other ingredients, then grilled.
4. What are some classic Mexican desserts?
Classic Mexican desserts include:
- Churros: Fried dough pastries, often dipped in cinnamon sugar or chocolate.
- Flan: A creamy caramel custard dessert.
- Tres Leches Cake: A moist cake soaked in three kinds of milk.
- Arroz con Leche: A sweet rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and raisins.
5. Can you recommend any traditional Mexican soups?
Traditional Mexican soups include:
| Name |
Description |
| Pozole |
A hearty soup made with hominy, meat (usually pork), and garnished with lettuce, radish, onion, lime, and chiles. |
| Caldo de Pollo |
A comforting chicken and vegetable broth, known for its healing properties. |
| Sopa de Tortilla |
A tomato-based soup with fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, and sour cream. |
| Menudo |
A traditional soup made with beef stomach (tripe) in broth with a red chili pepper base. |
6. What are the key tools and equipment for Mexican cooking?
Essential tools and equipment for Mexican cooking include:
- Comal: A flat griddle used to cook tortillas, toast spices, and sear meats.
- Molcajete: A stone mortar and pestle used for grinding spices and making salsas and guacamole.
- Tortilla press: A tool for flattening balls of dough into perfect tortillas.
- Tamale steamer: A large steamer pot used for cooking tamales.
These tools are integral for harnessing authentic flavors and preparing traditional dishes.
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