From the category archives:

Latin American

Panuchos ~ Tortillas filled with Black Beans topped with Achiote Chicken, Avocado & Habanero Salsa

Thumbnail image for Panuchos ~ Tortillas filled with Black Beans topped with Achiote Chicken, Avocado & Habanero Salsa June 9, 2015

These Panuchos have been on my bucket list of recipes for over three years. They were on the cover of the March 2012 issue of Sunset Magazine, and the minute I saw those beautiful colors, I was hooked. The Yucatan-style tostadas are the specialty of Chef Gilberto Cetina at his L.A. restaurant Chichen Itza and […]

1 comment Read the full article →

Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins

Thumbnail image for Picadillo with Green Olives and Raisins March 3, 2015

The first time I ate Picadillo was in 1972. I had some neighbors from Costa Rica who invited me over for dinner, and served a diced potato and minced steak picadillo, sort of like hash. I didn’t know much about cooking back in those days, so my memory of dinner isn’t crystal clear. It was […]

2 comments Read the full article →

Arepas ~ Venezuelan Corn Flour Flatbreads

Thumbnail image for Arepas ~ Venezuelan Corn Flour Flatbreads February 13, 2015

All of us, at one time or another, have had food made from ground corn, be it cornbread, corn tortillas, tortilla chips, tamales or polenta. In my pantry there is a new kid on the block called pre-cooked white maize meal or “harina de maiz blanco precocida”, which is what I used to make my […]

10 comments Read the full article →

Arañitas con Mojo de Ajo ~ Shredded Green Plantain Fritters with Garlic Onion Sauce

Thumbnail image for Arañitas con Mojo de Ajo ~ Shredded Green Plantain Fritters with Garlic Onion Sauce January 10, 2015

When green plantains started showing up at my grocery store about 10 years ago, I was totally fascinated. I had no idea what they were, except they looked a lot like green bananas. Then I happened to eat dinner in my local Cuban restaurant, and fried plantains were part of the accompaniment for the pork […]

3 comments Read the full article →

Chile Verde with Pork & Ancho Chile Sauce

Thumbnail image for Chile Verde with Pork & Ancho Chile Sauce June 4, 2014

If you have been following along with my story, you know I moved into an apartment last January. I looked at several in the area I wanted to live, but fell in love with mine immediately. It’s interesting how you just know when it is a match. You walk from room to room and it […]

4 comments Read the full article →

Spicy Corn Bisque with Chorizo, Poblano & Lime

Thumbnail image for Spicy Corn Bisque with Chorizo, Poblano & Lime November 11, 2013

Seventeen days until Thanksgiving. Making a bullet point list of things to get done, by day. Making a shopping list. Making some dishes ahead of time and freezing, like this Spicy Corn Bisque with Chorizo, Poblano & Lime. When I saw this recipe in the July 2013 issue of Sunset Magazine, I knew this was […]

5 comments Read the full article →

Fried Tomatillo Wedges with Apple Ham Vinaigrette & Cilantro Lime Aioli

Thumbnail image for Fried Tomatillo Wedges with Apple Ham Vinaigrette & Cilantro Lime Aioli August 25, 2013

Sunday. I am all alone in my house for the whole day. This doesn’t happen very often. When my eyes popped open this morning all I could think about was what I was going to cook. All by myself in the kitchen. Nobody interrupting me. No loud music blaring. No UFC match yelling and cheering. […]

6 comments Read the full article →

Huevos Rancheros

Thumbnail image for Huevos Rancheros August 21, 2013

Ok, let’s face it, I’m culturally deprived. Here I am, I’ve lived in Los Angeles since 1972, where there are more Mexican restaurants per capita second only to Mexico itself and I have never eaten Huevos Rancheros. Can you believe it? Everyone I know has eaten it, if not made it themselves and every blogger […]

6 comments Read the full article →

Pork Tacos with Achiote & Grilled Pineapple

Thumbnail image for Pork Tacos with Achiote & Grilled Pineapple May 1, 2012

To help celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year, I thought I would cook up some tacos. But not just your simple ground beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream. Oh no, I’m making sliced pork soaked in an achiote marinade and grilled with onions and pineapple. These grilled beauties are laid in a warm corn […]

10 comments Read the full article →

Shrimp Veracruz with Green Olives & Capers and Tortillas Robed in Pumpkin Seed Tomatillo Sauce

Thumbnail image for Shrimp Veracruz with Green Olives & Capers and Tortillas Robed in Pumpkin Seed Tomatillo Sauce March 17, 2012

I’ve had this recipe for many years and really never thought about its origin, other than it was in my file under Mexico. So when I came to write this post, I did a little research on Veracruz, its culinary and historical story. Veracruz is located on the east coast of Mexico on the bottom […]

8 comments Read the full article →

White Fish Ceviche with Peruvian Aji Amarillo Peppers Marinated in Lime Juice and Ginger

Thumbnail image for White Fish Ceviche with Peruvian Aji Amarillo Peppers Marinated in Lime Juice and Ginger November 20, 2011

This recipe was inspired by the one tablespoon of Ceviche prepared by Mary Sue Milliken that I had at the Cadillac Culinary Challenge in October. It was served in a little plastic glass, but the taste impact of the Aji Amarillo Pepper Sauce was so profound I had to try to make it myself. I […]

12 comments Read the full article →

Sizzlin’ Spanish Paella with Chicken & Chorizo from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms

Thumbnail image for Sizzlin’ Spanish Paella with Chicken & Chorizo from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms September 26, 2011

Last Saturday I made a special point to attend the cooking class at Grace-Marie’s Kitchen because she was making Paella, which I have tried to make a couple of times, but wasn’t happy with the results. Grace-Marie’s recipes are always so well done and delicious, so I was really looking forward to seeing how she […]

5 comments Read the full article →

Tomatillo Albondigas Soup & Two Tomatillo Tales

Thumbnail image for Tomatillo Albondigas Soup & Two Tomatillo Tales August 8, 2011

Tale One One afternoon last week my doorbell rang, which was a surprise, because I wasn’t expecting anyone. I opened the door and there stood a beautiful young woman with a toddler clinging to her knee, holding a huge platter piled with fresh vegetables. “Hi,” she said, “I’m your next door neighbor and I have […]

14 comments Read the full article →

Mojito Grilled Lime Chicken Wings

Thumbnail image for Mojito Grilled Lime Chicken Wings August 3, 2010

Two years ago I weighed 150 pounds, which might not have been remarkable, except I am only 5 feet tall. I was a lit-tle por-ky. Plus I didn’t feel good, my knees hurt all the time and my blood pressure was too high. In high school I weighed 108 pounds and even after having two […]

16 comments Read the full article →

Fiesta Papaya, Pineapple and Avocado Salad from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen

Thumbnail image for Fiesta Papaya, Pineapple and Avocado Salad from Grace-Marie’s Kitchen May 29, 2010

Going to a cooking class at Grace-Marie’s Kitchen at Bristol Farms in Manhattan Beach is like going home to dinner with your family and friends. Most of the people know each other from previous classes and if you are new, Grace-Marie tells everyone around you to talk to you and make you feel at home. […]

4 comments Read the full article →