Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor [Paperback]

Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack (Author), Veronica Gonzalez-Smith (Author), Evangelina Soza (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2012

Siéntate a comer, esta muy bueno! {Sit down and eat, it s very good!} This was how Jesusita Mendias-Soza always welcomed guests to her table. The same words served as inspiration for her daughter Evangelina and granddaughters Yvette and Veronica, who wanted to honor her memory and preserve their family's recipes and stories for future generations. They started the Muy Bueno Cookbook blog in 2010 with this idea in mind, and quickly attracted thousands of fans and followers who fell in love with Muy Bueno's flavorful Mexican recipes, heartwarming family stories, and beautiful photography. Now they open their hearts and kitchens to an even wider audience in their first cookbook.

Spanning three generations, Muy Bueno offers over 100 recipes: traditional old-world northern Mexican recipes from Jesusita s kitchen; comforting south of the border home-style dishes from Evangelina; and innovative Latin fusion recipes from Yvette and Veronica. Also includes a chile glossary with photos, step-by-step instructions for roasting chiles, making tamales, and red chile sauce.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I have always been fascinated with how the foods of northern Mexico joined with the foods of the southern United States to invent a whole new world of culinary possibilities. Cooks from both sides of the border have been creating a delicious, exciting cuisine for the past couple hundred years. The women of Muy Bueno have some fantastic stories and recipes about this. Wow I truly enjoyed reading it and can't wait to start cooking!" ----Roberto Santibañez, chef-owner of Fonda restaurants in NYC and author of Truly Mexican and Tacos, Tortas, and Tamales

It s hard for me to remain neutral about the tales and recipes of Muy Bueno. You see, their stories are my stories, just like many of us whose grandparents came from Chihuahua to Texas and beyond. But you needn t have an abuelita who blessed generations by handing down her recipes all you need is the love and spirit that Yvette, Veronica and Evangelina have filled within the pages of this book. Packed with authentic regional recipes, beautiful stories and gorgeous photographs, Muy Bueno is above all else a delicious family love story. --Matt Armendariz, MattBites.com and author of On a Stick!

"If you love Mexican comfort food and fantastic photography, you need Muy Bueno on your kitchen bookshelf!" --Jorge Bravo, founder of HispanicKitchen.com

It s hard for me to remain neutral about the tales and recipes of Muy Bueno. You see, their stories are my stories, just like many of us whose grandparents came from Chihuahua to Texas and beyond. But you needn t have an abuelita who blessed generations by handing down her recipes all you need is the love and spirit that Yvette, Veronica and Evangelina have filled within the pages of this book. Packed with authentic regional recipes, beautiful stories and gorgeous photographs, Muy Bueno is above all else a delicious family love story. --Matt Armendariz, MattBites.com and author of On a Stick!

"If you love Mexican comfort food and fantastic photography, you need Muy Bueno on your kitchen bookshelf!" --Jorge Bravo, founder of HispanicKitchen.com

About the Author

Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, Veronica Gonzalez-Smith, and their mother Evangelina Soza were all born and raised in El Paso, Texas. They learned to cook from their grandmother and mother, Jesusita Mendias-Soza, whose hospitality and irresistible Mexican recipes were legendary among family and friends. They started the Muy Bueno Cookbook blog to celebrate and preserve their family's special culinary heritage. The blog and recipes have been featured in Latina magazine, and the websites of Paula Deen, The Pioneer Woman, SAVEUR, and Gourmet. Though now Yvette resides in Denver, Colorado, Veronica has moved to Germany, and Evangelina remains in her hometown El Paso, Texas, the three of them meet as often as possible to share the delicious food and steadfast family bond that inspired Muy Bueno. Visit them at muybuenocookbook.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books; Bilingual edition (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781813042
• ISBN-13: 978-0781813044
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 1.1 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Regional & International > Mexican

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Muchas gracias para Muy Bueno!! September 26, 2012

By Megan Johnson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I pre-ordered Muy Bueno about a month ago after reading the glowing review from Roberto Santibanez, my favorite Mexican chef. I received it yesterday. I have actually never even seen these ladies' cooking blog before, but right off the bat, I read this cookbook from cover to cover. The photographs are beautiful, and the writing is actually worth reading!

In the beginning, the book explains to you that the recipes are contributed by 3 generations of women. A grandmother, mother, and 2 daughters. You can tell who submitted each recipe to the book because there is an icon with each recipe, and every recipe has a little story in the beginning that tells you how it is important to their family culture/tradition. I found the entire cookbook to be utterly heart warming. I feel that every recipe included is approachable, even to the novice cook, and without ingredients that would be difficult to find. I also think it's worth noting that I have about 5 other Mexican cookbooks, but I still know that I will be cooking heavily out of this book.

Some things I just can't wait to try:

Appetizers:
Bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeno
Corn in a cup (sort of like Mexican creamed corn, yum!)
Mexican shrimp cocktail (one of the best looking recipes I've seen for this)

Soups:
Albondigas (Mexican meatball soup...I've been wanting to try a new recipe for this!)
Homemade chicken soup (the picture looks absolutely delicious)
Pozole rojo (Red pork and hominy stew)

Entrees:
Chicken tinga
Chipotle shredded pork enchiladas (stacked, not rolled...how fun!...)
Beef tongue with tomato (No recipe has ever made me want to cook lengua before)
Chile rellenos topped with ranchero sauce (an old fave)
Cheese and shrimp stuffed poblanos (How could that not be good?)
Chilaquiles rojos (classic Mexican breakfast)

Desserts:
Churros with Mexican chocolate dipping sauce (omg.)
Bunuelos (fried tortillas with cinnamon and sugar)
Coconut milk tres leches cake (WHAT?!)

I am so happy I purchased this cookbook! I will definitely be making all those recipes listed above, and more. I'm pretty sad that my boyfriend wanted pork chops tonight, because it means I won't be able to get started on one of these recipes right away. Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is worth the buy!!! September 21, 2012

By Patricia Frymyer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been a faithful follower of the Muy Bueno Cookbook blog for over a year now, and have already tried many of their recipes! Their chicken tinga is smoky hot and flavorful. Tacos al pastor is a sweet and spicy blend of yumminess! The pumpkin empanadas and champurrado make excellent autumn and winter treats! I can't WAIT to receive the full cookbook that will have so many more recipes. The pictures, the stories, the love, the recipes - this cookbook is a must have!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST Cookbook! September 29, 2012

By Christine

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Muy Bueno cookbook WELL exceeds beyond my expectations!!! I don't know what to make first, menudo or the coconut milk cake. Their green chile with beef and potatoes and their red chile sauce recipes bring back fond memories of my mother's cooking. I love their beautiful colorful photos. This is definitely my all time favorite Mexican cookbook, their recipes are meals I grew up with. Muchas gracias Vangie, Veronica y Yvette!!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Recipes November 14, 2012

By DianaA

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

One of the authors is a friend I have grown up with. Personally knowing their history, I was super excited to begin trying out the recipes in this cookbook. I cannot tell you how easy the directions are to follow but also tell you that the food comes out delicious. My family has been so happy in eating everything that I have made and are amazed at how well I have been doing. It has been great to copy and create the same recipes that my grandma or my mother makes. This book makes it very easy for me. Thank you for putting down on paper the traditional mexican dishes that I have grown up with! And this is quoted from my dad "Haber cuando hacen otro libro para que te lo compre y siques cocinando!" Lol, he is so funny, he wants to buy me your next book. I highly recommend it! Super easy and everyone will be amazed that you can do this yourself :)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Muy Bueno es Muy Delicioso November 4, 2012

By Rochelle L Brouse

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was looking for an authentic recipe for capirotada, and chanced upon the recipe in this cookbook. This book is perfect for anyone wanting to experiment with authentic Mexican recipes, as well as discovering new, exciting fusion-style dishes. And the family stories that preface the entire book as well as each recipe are wonderful, truly enveloping you in this family's history and making you feel a welcomed friend into thier kitchen. Living in So Cal, I have experienced a lot of Mexican, and many other Latin types of, cooking but few recipe books for Mexican that are both authentic and yet easily adaptable to the novice cook's local supplies. Since purchasing this book I have made several of the recipes for office potlucks, and I have been deemed an "authentic Latina cook"--truly an honor from a culture that knows what's good food!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Cookbook October 26, 2012

By Ellen W

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This cookbook is a must have for anyone who loves food and family!! The recipes are not too difficult for cooks at home and the stories and love included in each one are truly inspirational. What a tribute to family recipes, love this cookbook.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic and new recipes September 29, 2012

By Jason L. Horowitz

Format:Paperback

I read the wonderful stories in one night. I've never considered myself to be very skilled at Mexican cooking and was happy to see both classic and new recipes. I am most excited about making flour tortillas. The story of the warm butter wrapped in a freshly made tortilla made my mouth water. I think a salsa party will be the next event to plan.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I've Died and Gone to Mexican Heaven!! September 28, 2012

By Christina Schulz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This truly has to be one of the most beautifully photographed book of food I've ever seen. Not only does every dish look colorful and inviting, your palate begins to salivate with simply the thought of enjoying this sumptuous food. I LOVE the stories and history behind this family...such a beautiful tribute to their Abuela :). Thank you for sharing a slice of your lives with the rest of us. Truly magical!!