| I could eat Mexican food 24/7 (just ask my husband- he never has to guess what I want when we go out to dinner).
The following recipes are from a cookbook created by a dear friend of mine, Chef Brian Ramirez.
These are some of the basics that we can make ahead of time and store, and use in future
Mexican dishes we make at home. The fat is a lot lower when we make it than what we get in restaurants. However most Mexican food in Mexico isn't buried in cheese. This is an American adaptation. I love cheese...and am so glad 2% is available and actually melts. Fat Free cheese is pretty gross. Ya gotta pick and choose where the fat grams come from if you want to save your arteries.
Hope these recipes help you stay warm this month.
Mexican Recipes
From: Mexican Cooking for Gringos
Basic Mexican Seasoning
4 ounces chili powder
3 Tbsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp ground cumin (Cumino)
2 Tbsp salt (optional)
2 Tbsp dried oregano
Mix all ingredients together. Store tightly in sealed container. Keeps for 4 months.
Basic Mexican Hot Sauce (Salsa Caliente)
2 cups ripe tomatoes – diced
¼ cup onion- diced
1 clove garlic- minced
1-3 jalapeno peppers- seeded and diced
Mix ingredients in bowl (or blend in a food processor) to desired consistency then chill. Keeps in refrigerator 2-4 weeks.
Pinto Beans (Frijoles)
2 pounds dried pinto beans
10 cups water
2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp liquid hickory smoke
Soak beans in 12 cups cool water overnight (minimum 7 hours). Heat 10 cups of water in stock pot. Rinse soaked beans and add to hot water. Add remaining ingredients. Cook, covered at medium-low temperature for 2 ½ -3 hours, stirring occasionally, and adding water when necessary, until tender.
Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)
Reheat pinto beans, stirring frequently, and mashing beans somewhat until beans reach a pasty texture.
This 30 recipe cookbook is available from my dear friend Chef Brian Ramirez. He owns
"Dining In" Personal Chef Service. It sells for $8. Call Brian at 734-281-4020 or visit his website
www.dininginpcs.com |
