The Taste of Mexico [Hardcover]

Patricia Quintana (Author), Ignacio Urquiza (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1986

Elegant and authoritative, this will be a revelation to both th e cook and the general interest reader. Gathered here for the first time are 200 authentic recipes from Mexico's eight culinary regions, and the more than 250 exquisite photographs not only illustrate the recipes but take the reader on a spectacular tour of the country.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This gracefully assembled collection of Mexican regional specialties reflects a diverse cultural heritage in the sumptuous breadth of its cuisine. Food writer Quintana offers hearty fare from El Norte (Bahia sea bass stuffed with shrimp and lobster tails; "drunken" pinto beans in a sauce of beer, chiles and cilantro) and festive soups from the coast. Meals steeped in traditionblack mole from Oaxaca; baked red snapper assertively seasoned with Spanish olives, capers and mild chiles from Veracruz; and Pueblan chiles en nogada, or batter-fried chiles stuffed with meats, spices and fruits with a creamy sauce of walnuts and pomegranate seeds (the dish, in the colors of the Mexican flag, commemorates Independence Day) provide an intriguing contrast to the more contemporary, European-influenced dishes of Mexico City: squash-blossom crepes with melted Gruyere, sliced fish fillets in pastry shells and a sombrero de chocolate garnished with fig sherbet. Detailed instructions are carefully organized, and Quintana includes substitutions for hard-to-find ingredients, a list of specialty stores and a useful glossary of chiles. Regional histories and bold photographs that balance the autumn colors of fresh produce and the blue hues of Mexican pottery against dramatic landscapesare an inspiring touch. Author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Stewart. Tabori & Chang; 1st edition (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941434893
• ISBN-13: 978-0941434898
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful but Impracticle, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Taste of Mexico (Paperback)

This book is filled with many beautiful pictures and is the ideal "coffee table book". It also provides insight on the vast variety of mexican dishes. But buyer beware!!! I grew up on mexican cooking and thought this book would be a great addition to my collection, but I was wrong. This is not a practicle cook-book, and definitely not intended for the novice cook. Most recipes contain numerous ingredients (some very rare and difficult to find, even at ethnic food stores). This is a gourmet cooking book, intended for advanced cooks who are up to the challenge of hunting down rare ingredients and cooking up rare wonders.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible of true Mexican cuisine!, September 18, 1998

By 

C. S. Hernandez (SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taste of Mexico (Paperback)

This is the bible of authentic Mexican cooking. I lived 12 years in Mexico, immersed in a family food business, so I feel I can vouch for its authenticity. It is a refreshing divergence from what many Americans think Mexican food is all about. The photography is beautiful, and the book is a visual feast, providing a tour of Mexico's ceramics, textiles, architecture, art and culture as well as its culinary coverage. I have used this book for years and will continue to do so. If you have only one Mexican cookbook this is the one to have!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic, delicious, stunning photos!, December 9, 2000

By 

TJ Tyler (Livermore, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Taste of Mexico (Hardcover)

I purchased this incredible book while living in Mexico for two years. Bringing it back to the U.S. presents a challenge when trying to find the right ingredients, but the hunt is half the fun. This is not a book for people looking to whip up a quick meal, the recipes are complex and detailed. One concern is that since it was originally written in Spanish, some details are lost in the English translation, so be prepared to figure stuff out along the way. My favorite - Filete al Chipotle!