Discovering a love of Mexican cooking

Mexico: The Cookbook

This cookbook, by renowned chef Margarita Carrillo Arronte, is a very thorough compilation of recipes from all over Mexico. The volume can be a little overwhelming, but if you are looking for something specific it is a great resource. Available from the library, the book is in English and directions are clear and easy to understand.

La Gran Cocina Mexicana

I use cookbooks, like this impressive anthology of traditional Mexican cuisine, as inspiration for my own cooking. Available from the library, it’s a good place to start, though I often wind up with my own unique variation on the dish.

De mi Rancho a Tu Cocina (From My Ranch to Your Kitchen)

This YouTube channel is hosted by an older Mexican woman from Michoacan, Dona Angela, who cooks everything in a very traditional way in her outdoor ranch kitchen. She is insightful and pleasant, beginning every video with, “Hello, my people. Good morning.” With nearly 3 million followers, she has been recognized as a global ambassador for Mexican food. Her videos are recorded in Spanish with English subtitles.

Marisolpink

This is another of my favorite YouTube channels, with cooking personality Marisolpink offering a good mixture of traditional recipes and more modern ones. While her introductions can be a bit long, she combines cooking with humor and theatrics. And her instructions are very easy to follow. I get hungry whenever I watch her show, and her reactions to her recipes will make you want to jump right into the kitchen.

Recetarios de Cocina Mexicana

This well-curated cookbook collection, from the online purveyor MexGrocer.com, includes great Spanish-language selections such as Los Tacos de Mexico—a book that will change everything you know about tacos. And don’t forget to click on the “Mexican Cookbooks in English” section toward the bottom of the page.

“Mexican Chef Gabriela Cámara on Food as a Force for Social Good”

In this interview with PBS NewsHour, celebrated Mexican chef Gabriela Camara reminds us of the ways in which food connects to bigger issues, including sustainability, migration and social equity.