From the Archives – My Slice of Mexico

Celebrations, From the Archives, Regional Cuisine

Cortadillo de Res – Northern Style Beef Stew

June 14, 2022June 20, 2025by Irene13 Comments

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. The Mascogos, a group of Afro-Mexicans, small, yet historically very relevant, living in the Northern Mexican state of Coahuila, have been celebrating Juneteenth for generations, with a fusion of African, Mexican and Seminole (indigenous groups from Florida) traditions, such as dancing to música norteña (Northern Mexico music), singing hymnals to hand-clapped rhythms called capeyuye, and sharing a meal that often includes cortadillo, a dish of beef or goat meat, cooked in a chunky tomato sauce ... click on title for more

Desserts, From the Archives, Ingredients

Suspiritos – “Little Sigh” Meringue Treats, or How to Use Leftover Egg Whites

June 8, 2022June 26, 2025by Irene9 Comments

Meringues are desserts prepared by adding sugar and flavourings to perfectly fluffy, beaten egg whites, baked until they develop a crust. Some meringues have a soft interior, such as pavlovas, while others are dry throughout. One example of the latter are small meringues, about the size of a cookie, called "suspiros", and an even smaller version, called in the diminutive form "suspiritos" ... click on title for more

Celebrations, Desserts, From the Archives

Classic Carrot Cake Squares

April 17, 2022April 29, 2025by Irene20 Comments

Carrot cake was not well known in Mexico until a few decades ago, just as Easter chocolate eggs and bunnies made their way into Mexican culture sometime in the 20th century, mainly from the USA. Nowadays, carrot cake is served year-round, but it feels particularly special during the Easter season ... click on title for more

From the Archives, Ingredients, Mexican Culture, salsas

Asian Heritage and an Asian-Inspired Spicy Sauce

May 13, 2021May 24, 2025by Irene14 Comments

Asian heritage is considered the fourth root of Mexican heritage, along with its native, European, and African roots. Nowadays, there are important Asian communities in several Mexican states, which has influenced local cuisine. One ingredient that has entered Mexican kitchens in the last decades is soy sauce, used in stews and other dishes as a condiment for added umami (yummy flavour), but also as the main component of sauces ... click on title for more

featured, From the Archives, Mexican Culture, snack, appetizer

Street Food – Esquites

January 12, 2020January 3, 2026by Irene29 Comments

Two very popular street foods in Mexico are corn on the cob and esquites (from the Nahuatl form izquitl - roasted young corn.) In pre-Hispanic times, esquite was probably eaten with dry hot peppers and salt and, after the Spanish conquest, lime juice was added to the seasonings. Nowadays, it is very common to top esquites with mayonnaise, shredded cheese and a variety of spicy ingredients … click on title for more