Even if you live nowhere near the famous Central American country, you’re bound to have countless Mexican restaurants and takeouts near your area.
If you love Mexican food, but can’t afford to go out to eat it every night, you’ll be happy to know that Mexican food isn’t too difficult to make.
The key to cooking any type of cuisine is to take inspiration from those who know it best.
There are countless Mexican chefs that will teach you the ways of their cuisine, particularly female chefs who need their voices to be heard in the male-dominated industry.
So, whether you’re a beginner looking for cooking methods, or you’re an experienced cook looking for new recipes to try out, we’ve got you covered.
The main reason why a lot of beginner cooks stay clear from cooking Mexican food is the misconception that Mexican food is hard to make.
Sure, there are some particularly tricky recipes out there, but in most cases, Mexican food is designed to be easy and fun to make.
That’s where this cookbook comes in!
Mexican Food Made Simple by Thomasina Miers is an ideal cookbook for beginner cooks, whether you’re a new parent, teenager in high school, student at college, or if you’re just not confident in the kitchen.
This cookbook is designed to make foods that can be shared with a group of people, just like how Mexican food is meant to be consumed.
Mexican Food Made Simple offers vibrant photography, easy step-by-step instructions, and a range of recipes suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It is designed to make the user excited about cooking and eating their food, from simple soft corn tacos to delicious churros and chocolate sauce.
Mezcla is a Spanish word that means mix or blend, which is precisely what this cookbook is all about.
In her first cookbook as a solo writer, Ixta Belfrage celebrates the flavors of Spanish, Italian, Brazilian, and Mexican cuisines through inventive recipes.
It’s all about mixing these wonderful ingredients and cooking techniques together to create a masterpiece.
With 100 recipes of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options, this cookbook is ideal for quick weeknight meals as well as romantic weekend meals.
The variety in the speed of which you can create these recipes means that it is a suitable cookbook for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Some of the fastest recipes to follow in this cookbook include tacos de bistec (steak tacos), enchiladas, caldo de pollo (Mexican chicken soup), and empanadas.
If you have more time on your hands, have a try at traditional Mexican tamales, nopales, aguas frescas, and pastel de tres leches.
Mexcla: Recipes to Excite has been commended by famous chef Nigella Lawson, as well as The Independent, Bon Appétit, Delish, Saveur, and Epicurious.
With compliments from such prestigious figures and publications in the culinary world, you can’t really go wrong with this cookbook.
Mexican food is meant to be about togetherness, whether it’s to feed a family on a weeknight or to invite friends around for dinner.
Mely Martínez has captured the spirit of Mexican food perfectly with this cookbook, which is filled with traditional home-style recipes designed to bring people together.
Mely was born and raised in Tampico. As the eldest daughter of the family, she started helping in the kitchen fairly young.
She would even spend her summers at her grandmother’s farm, grinding corn to make masa.
Everything about this book, therefore, is authentic Mexican, inspired by states including Puebla, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Veracruz, Estado de México, and Nuevo León.
This cookbook covers everything from stews and soups to enchiladas and milanesa.
There is also a section dedicated to salsas, desserts, and drinks, allowing you to create an entire buffet of delicious home-style Mexican food to impress your guests.
Plus, these recipes are designed to be easy to make with affordable, easy-to-find ingredients.
If you have an Instant Pot at home, you’ll know just how convenient it is to make a variety of dishes - but did you know that you can cook Mexican food in an Instant Pot?
Author Deborah Schneider has created the ideal cookbook for those who want to take their Instant Pot to the next level with these hearty Mexican recipes.
This cookbook uses the convenience of modern technology with traditional Mexican flavors to make hearty, soulful, and oh-so flavorsome Mexican dishes.
Sure, it’s not going to teach you about traditional Mexican cooking methods, but this is a great option for those who need to make a weeknight meal without making too much mess.
This cookbook covers a vast range of recipes, including steak fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, tamales, beans, salsas, and even desserts such as churro bread pudding and flan.
Each recipe is designed to include ingredients that are accessible for users all over the country regardless of the season.
Pros
Ideal for owners of an Instant Pot
Blends modern technology with traditional
Mexican flavors
Range of recipes available
Cons
Doesn’t teach traditional Mexican cooking techniques
Buyer’s Guide
Number And Range Of Recipes
When looking for a cookbook, make sure to have a look at how many recipes it has to offer.
Cookbooks can be an expensive purchase, so you’ll want to get your money’s worth with a book that offers hundreds of recipes.
Also, make sure to look out for the range of recipes on offer.
It’s not always just about breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes - you might also want inspiration for appetizers, desserts, drinks, and sauces, too.
Dietary Requirements
Of course, make sure to prioritize your dietary requirements when looking for a cookbook.
If you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or on a specific diet for your health, you’ll need to keep this in mind.
Luckily, most Mexican foods are versatile enough to be altered to suit your needs. After all, Mexican food is all about the flavor, not so much about the meat!
Authenticity
The authenticity of the cookbook might be a priority to foodies out there.
Not all Mexican cookbooks are written by Mexican authors, so keep this in mind when looking at a cookbook.
The main difference between an authentic Mexican cookbook and one written by a non-Mexican chef is often the cooking techniques used.
If you want to learn more about traditional Mexican cooking techniques, then opt for a more authentic author.
Hopefully, this guide has led you to your new go-to Mexican cookbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is The Best Female Chef In Mexico?
Mexico is the home of fantastic food, with the country being home to countless male and female chefs.
Arguably one of the most popular and famous female Mexican chefs is Elena Reygadas, who was awarded the Latin America’s Best Female Chef award in 2014.
She owns a restaurant named Rosetta in Mexico City’s Roma Norte.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
