The Mexican Mama's Kitchen: Authentic Homestyle Recipes

I really like this cookbook. I collect cookbooks from all over that focus on home cooking and this one is just right. I first took it out of the library and read it through, the pages are so nice, the weight of the paper, they are all four color. After the first reading I was ready to cook, which doesn't always happen. Some books are just better to read. I made enchiladas suizas, refried beans, and mexican rice and all came out great. There is something very nice and friendly about the tone, sometimes you read a cookbook and it feels like the author is trying to impress you with what a priveleged childhood they had. This lady makes you feel like she comes from a really loving family who loves to eat. I don't mind her substitutions, it all seems real.

The recipes offered in this cookbook differ quite a bit from most Mexican cookbooks I have seen - rather than focusing on Tex-Mex cooking or on painstakingly authentic regional dishes, this author has a style of cooking that seems more European-influenced. The result is a unique collection of dishes - for example, Beef Tempura with Middle Eastern Sauce, small bites of shredded beef battered and fried, served with a spiced tomato sauce, or Pacholes, thin seasoned meat patties. I have tried several recipes - some of them are quite involved - but the results are worth it, subtly and richly flavored. I have taken one star off of my review because of some substitutions the author has offered. I notice that she lived in England, and perhaps as a result of this she lists feta cheese as an ingredient in her recipes - while most Americans can get their hands on authentic Mexican cheeses these days. Similarly, she recommends using canned corn instead of frozen or even fresh.

A welcome contribution to the "Mama's Kitchen" series, The Mexican Mama's Kitchen: Authentic Homestyle Recipes combines classic and time-tested home recipes with the motherly tips and advice of an experienced cook, such as "When deseeding chilies, be as careful as possible. Try to wear rubber gloves and avoid rubbing your eyes" and "To make vanilla sugar, add one vanilla pod to 2 cups sugar. Set aside for 3 weeks and then mix. Use to sweeten hot drinks as a sugar alternative." Recipes such as Bricklayer-Style Eggs, Green Rice, Black Burner Beans, Mexican Hot Chocolate and many more are presented not only with methodical instructions, but also a brief introduction describing how the recipe has been used in families for generations. A handful of color photographs illustrate The Mexican Mama's Kitchen, a very highly recommended and easy-to-use family cookbook.