Frida's Fiestas: Recipes and Reminiscences of Life with Frida Kahlo: A Cookbook

Loved reading about Frieda’s and Diego’s life, and the wonderful recipes in this book they shared together, thanks to his Daughter for sharing them.

Amongst all mexican cooking books i bought over time, this is THE favorite one and i often return to it in pursue of inspiration. Besides the nice anectodes about Frida and Diego's life, i find this book invaluable because the recipes are very accurate and the photos match the real results that you get if you follow the instructions. Even if it is not a beginner's book, the recipes are well explained. You can even check out if i am cheating or not, just go to tlazolteotl.blogspot.com and have a look at the mexican recipes, most of them come from this very book, i.e. colchones de naranja, pipián blanco, pipián verde, flan de piñones, puntas de filete al albañil and others! If you like traditional mexican food there is no doubt, this book is a must-have.

Beautiful illustrations highlight this delightful treasure house of Mexican recipes and fascinating anecdotes of Frida Kahlo. Guadalupe Rivera, Frida's stepdaughter, has gathered here favorite recipes for more than 100 authentic Mexican dishes, that Frida Kalho served to family and friends over the course of her life. This wonderful collection also contains family photographs and some wonderful reproductions of her paintings. Ignacio Urguiza transports the reader, through his glorious photographs, to many of Frida's favorite places, including her blue house in Coyoacan. Urguiza's photos of exotic dishes and settings are visually stunning.The book is divided into twelve chapters, one for each month of the year, each section a fiesta for the palate and for the eyes. There is a description for every festival and family event celebrated here, along with photographs, illustrations and fond memories, all woven together to provide a fabric of Mexican life and Frida's life. Events celebrated here include Frida's wedding to Diego Rivera, a Mexican national holiday, dinner after the opening of one of Frida's exhibits, Frida's birthday and the Feast of the Holy Cross. From an unusual recipe for black Oaxacan mole, an exquisite sauce of chilies, nuts, spices, tomatoes, garlic, onion and Mexican chocolate, to fresh corn tamales, squash blossom budin, lamb with drunken sauce and delicious meatballs in chipotle sauce, this is a book that will stimulate your senses. All the recipes are easy to follow and the results are marvelous.I bought this book as a birthday present for a friend and wound up buying another for myself. Reading "Frida's Fiestas" is a cultural experience in itself. What better way to celebrate the life of Frida Kalho and the wonders of Mexican cuisine!JANA

This is a charming, joyful book in a delightful format. The chapters cover a different celebration for each month of the year and begin with personal anecdotes from Lupe Rivera's experiences of the magical times her step-mother created for their family and friends. The impression one gets is the Rivera's loved to eat, especially Diego, and celebrate all the events that came their way with Frida as the instigator and creator of these moments. The bonus is the foods described in each story appear in the menu at the end of each chapter with colorful photographs to entice. This is the real charm of the book, giving the reader a true sense of connection to the story. One does not get a complete picture of Frida from this book, nor does the author intend to do this. It is simply the happy remembrances surrounding the celebrations of their lives, the events that connect a family.

If you are fascinated by the life of Frida Kahlo AND you enjoy culinary explorations, then you will absolutely LOVE this book. You are granted the privilege of peeking into Frida's dining room and kitchen, and you will find that this savoury experience complements magnificently her already sensational biography. A version "en espanol" is also available.

If you are looking for a great Mexican traditional cookbook, look no further. These mouth-watering recipes are grouped by occasions for which they are served, so the reader will also learn about the traditional Mexican fiestas celebrated all year round. What gives the book another dimension, is that these are the recipes that were prepared in Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera' "Casa Azul" in Coyoacán! The numerous anecdotes and the extensive selection of pictures also featured in the book make it an excellent choice, whether you are solely interested in Mexican cooking, or looking to read about the fascinating couple Rivera and Kahlo were and continue to be. If you are considering this book for a gift, beware! You will end up keeping it for yourself...