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Chicano Eats: Recipes from My Mexican-American Kitchen Hardcover – Illustrated, June 30, 2020
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Esteban Castillo grew up in Santa Ana, California, where more than three-quarters of the population is Latino. Because Mexican food was the foundation of his childhood, he was surprised to see recipes for dishes on popular food blogs that were anything but the traditional meals he grew up eating. He was inspired to create the blog, Chicano Eats, to showcase his love for design, cooking, and culture and provide a space for authentic Latino voices, recipes, and stories to be heard.
Building on his blog, Chicano Eats is a bicultural and bilingual cookbook that includes 85 traditional and fusion Mexican recipes as gorgeous to look at as they are sublime to eat. Chicano cuisine is Mexican food made by Chicanos (Mexican Americans) that has been shaped by the communities in the U.S. where they grew up. It is Mexican food that bisects borders and uses a group of traditional ingredients--chiles, beans, tortillas, corn, and tomatillos--and techniques while boldly incorporating many exciting new twists, local ingredients, and influences from other cultures and regions in the United States. Chicano Eats is packed with easy, flavorful recipes such as:
- Chicken con Chochoyotes (Chicken and Corn Masa Dumplings)
- Mac and Queso Fundido
- Birria (Beef Stew with a Guajillo Chile Broth)
- Toasted Coconut Horchata
- Chorizo-Spiced Squash Tortas
- Champurrado Chocolate Birthday Cake (Inspired by the Mexican drink made with milk and chocolate and thickened with corn masa)
- Cherry Lime Chia Agua Fresca
- Print length224 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarper
- Publication dateJune 30, 2020
- Dimensions7.5 x 0.79 x 9.25 inches
- ISBN-100062917374
- ISBN-13978-0062917379
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Editorial Reviews
Review
In Chicano Eats, the Mexican-American food writer Esteban Castillo shares the food of his upbringing. Some of the recipes, like mole, tacos al pastor and churros, are traditional, while others, like carnitas poutine, cilantro-pesto rigatoni and guava cheesecake bars, are mash-ups. Everyone at my table was pleased with the pozole blanco, a traditional pork and hominy stew seasoned with onion, garlic, oregano and thyme. Another standout was the mac and queso fundido, a chorizo- and mushroom-spiked version of the best boxed mac you’ve ever had. — New York Times
Esteban Castillo, creator of the popular blog, Chicano Eats, has written a cookbook by the same name. This playful and colorful cookbook showcases outstanding recipes that are fundamentally both Mexican and American. — Food & Wine
Beloved blogger Esteban Castillo’s cookbook will make anyone homesick. (And very hungry.) Written and photographed by Castillo, Chicano Eats is a beautiful collection of treasured family recipes (his grandma’s Tacos de Papa, grandpa’s Tacos de Adobada, mom’s Frijoles Puercos) as well as his own inventive mash-ups (Mac and Queso Fundido, Michelada Ribs, and a magical Chocoflan Cake, to name a few). — Food52
A new cookbook by Esteban Castillo that's filled with so many just straight-up delicious, traditional Mexican recipes (and some fun variations). Honestly, I'm hungry just looking at the cover. — Buzzfeed
...Its joyful palette and index of cross-cultural recipes make it an aesthetic manifesto for a young, queer Chicano food writer and photographer. — North Coast Journal
When I first came across Chicano Eats, I wondered why everyone wasn’t talking about Esteban Castillo. His vibrant photographs were such a tonic to the sterile, muted food media aesthetic. His writing was bursting with pride for his identity as a queer Chicano growing up between two worlds. When I ask myself why his work on Chicano Eats resonates so strongly, I remind myself of all the Americans who look like him and have rarely gotten the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the culture at large. I hope his work reaches even more people for years to come.
— Mayukh Sen, James Beard Award-winning Food Journalist
I’ve been a reader of Esteban Castillo’s Chicano Eats from the start. Though our families are from different countries, our struggles, stories, values, and love for food and family is one and the same. Esteban’s fun photography and irreverent humor draw you in. And his recipes keep you coming back! His site has become my go-to for easy Mexican food that tastes legit and is achievable with what I have access to. I’m so excited for a book full of his colorful photos and recipes.
— Adrianna Adarme, Author of The Year of Cozy: 125 Recipes, Crafts and Homemade Adventures and blog, A Cozy Kitchen
Esteban (Chicano Eats) provides a vibrant perspective to Mexican food that few people know, the border town Chicano perspective. His unique style and recipes continue to highlight the vastness of Mexican and what it has become in the border regions. He’s yet another Latino breaking ground in the food realm, and can’t wait to see what deliciousness his cookbook will offer.
— Claudia Sandoval, Author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico, Winner of MasterChef Season 6 on FOX and Judge on MasterChef Latino on Telemundo
Chicano Eats is an inspirational look at an entirely new cuisine—one that’s wholly Mexican and American, and weaves easily between genres and borders. It’s also really fun to boot. I can’t wait to make some of these creative dishes for my own family. — Lesley Tellez, Author of Eat Mexico: Recipes and Stories from Mexico City’s Streets, Markets and Fondas
About the Author
Esteban Castillo is a PR/Digital Marketing professional and the creator of Chicano Eats, a blog that showcases fun and exciting dishes that take influences and ingredients of traditional Mexican food combined with concepts and flavors from his life in California. He is the Reader’s Choice winner of the 2017 Saveur Blog Awards for Best New Voice, and Chicano Eats has been featured in Food52, NPR’s the Salt, Instagram, Remezcla, and We Are Mitú, among others.
Product details
- Publisher : Harper; Illustrated edition (June 30, 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 224 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062917374
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062917379
- Item Weight : 1.75 pounds
- Dimensions : 7.5 x 0.79 x 9.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #29,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Latin American Cooking, Food & Wine
- #34 in Mexican Cooking, Food & Wine
- #400 in Celebrity & TV Show Cookbooks
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

Esteban is a queer Chicano (Mexican-American) who lives in Central California with his partner Billy and three dogs, Nomi, Rigby and Jepsen. He is a communications specialist and graphic designer by day, and a home cook and reality tv connoisseur by night. He is also the author of the award-winning food blog, “Chicano Eats” where he explores his bicultural identity as a Chicano through stories and food and strives to create visibility, educate and provide context behind traditional dishes, and also strives to redefine how people in the U.S view Mexican food by presenting dishes with a very colorful and minimalistic treatment.
For more recipes, please visit www.ChicanoEats.com
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the recipes in the book delicious and easy to follow. They appreciate the simple, straightforward instructions that make complex Mexican dishes approachable. The book provides interesting stories and new twists on old favorites, making it enticing to try new dishes.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the recipes in the book. They find the dishes delicious and easy to follow, making complex Mexican dishes approachable with new twists. The book includes simple, everyday meals like desserts and drinks.
"Great recipes, approachable and doable. Very Mexican American." Read more
"...favorite, I just love this book its a comfortable easy read with delicious results, unlike some other books that can be intimidating when reading..." Read more
"Not only beautiful but the recipes are authentic and delicious!" Read more
"Everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious and easy to make. The stories and photos add that much more to the book’s quality. Highly recommend :)" Read more
Customers find the recipes in the book easy to follow and doable. They appreciate the simple, approachable style that makes a lot of sense. The book provides great information on basic Latin cuisine for beginners. It's casual and more punchy than expected.
"Great recipes, approachable and doable. Very Mexican American." Read more
"...Chicano cooking is NOT "just like Mexican." It's more casual, maybe a bit punchier...." Read more
"Everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious and easy to make. The stories and photos add that much more to the book’s quality. Highly recommend :)" Read more
"...The instructions are easy to follow, and the book offers a great introduction to Mexican cuisine...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's storytelling and recipes. They find it interesting and fun, with new twists on old favorites. The storytelling provides a rich cultural context for the food.
"...His story-telling is very sweet, and gives a rich cultural context for the food; it's what he grew up with...." Read more
"...each recipe are an added bonus, making it even more enticing to try out new dishes...." Read more
"I haven’t done any of the recipes in the book but they are very interesting and will try a few soon." Read more
"...of complicated Mexican dishes very approachable, and adds in some new twists on old favorites (like queso fundido mac & cheese!!)..." Read more
Reviews with images
Warms the stomach with the food and the soul with his heart
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2024Great recipes, approachable and doable. Very Mexican American.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2020This is a Great Book !!! It was Beautifully done for both very experienced cooks and not so experienced cooks such as myself. I moved to California over ten years ago from Hawaii for a relationship. I was just getting used to Hawaiian Cuisine after several years and I didn't even like Mexican food. My father being stationed in the Marines Corp. like a million years ago in San Diego said Southern California has the absolute best Mexican food ever, make sure you have some. Its the best !! Well, I live in Northern California so its quite a drive but, long story short it might be better in the South according to him but, its still everywhere in this State. Everywhere !! Since it was very hard deciding where to go for dinner because I didn't care for Mexican food and my boyfriend who has lived his entire life here in California from birth absolutely loves it as does the rest of the California population, every ethnic background does so going out to dinner together or with family or friends is most likely going to be at a Mexican restaurant no matter who you go with. So, about 8 years ago I started buying Mexican cook books to learn how to cook for my man. I enjoy cooking meals for him. The more I cooked the more I have grown to truly love and appreciate the food, so versatile and the many flavors and spices like Cumin which is my favorite, and my man being Filipino, learning to cook Mexican has also helped me with his Filipino Cuisine. Similar Herbs and spices are used such as Adobo. I have purchased quite a few Mexican cookbooks, All of them are good but, this one is my favorite, I just love this book its a comfortable easy read with delicious results, unlike some other books that can be intimidating when reading the recipes. Its my go to cookbook which is several times a week. I wish it came out years ago. I really like this book. I think most cooks will too.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024Not only beautiful but the recipes are authentic and delicious!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021Really enjoying this book! I'm a California native, and this takes the mystery out of many dishes that my neighbors and classmates have always enjoyed. Chicano cooking is NOT "just like Mexican." It's more casual, maybe a bit punchier. (Dare I say more "neighborhood street" than "uptown tablecloth"?) Esteban kindly includes vegetarian options for many of his recipes, and even adapts some to pressure-cooking. His story-telling is very sweet, and gives a rich cultural context for the food; it's what he grew up with. So, specific recipes: Cilantro-basil pesto." Dios Mio, YES!!! Jalapenos en escabeche: I can stop buying the canned ones now, because making them at home is idiot-simple, and will taste a lot better! Chicken con Chocoyotes: Never even knew that masa dumplings existed; gotta try that! Pressure-cooker birria (using beef instead of goat): Yep! Paletas de ponche de granada: Yes! The drinks, boozy and not, are fun. One place of divergence: Esteban thinks cumin is too strong, and I LOVE it. That's cool. Cooks do things differently in their kitchens... Oh, and it's a really beautiful book, visually. Gorgeous photos, great-quality paper and printing, and a very happy cover. Muchas gracias, Esteban!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2024Everything I’ve tried so far has been delicious and easy to make. The stories and photos add that much more to the book’s quality. Highly recommend :)
- Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2023This Mexican cooking book is an absolute gem! It is filled with an impressive variety of traditional and contemporary recipes. The instructions are easy to follow, and the book offers a great introduction to Mexican cuisine. From flavorful tacos to delicious enchiladas, this book has it all. The beautiful pictures accompanying each recipe are an added bonus, making it even more enticing to try out new dishes. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook, this book is a must-have for anyone looking to explore the world of Mexican cuisine. Highly recommended!
- Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024The colorful photography brought vibrancy to the recipies
- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022This is going to be one of the most extensive reviews I’ve given for a product. Chicano/Mexican cooking is not traditionally “quick and easy”. If that’s what you’re looking for, this book is not for you. A lot of these recipes can be found on his blog, it’s just really nice to have it all in one place and neatly laid out. I found Esteban’s blog myself when I was feeling homesick one day for pozole rojo. I was born and raised in Southern California, North Hollywood. I grew up surrounded by my culture and around many others. However, I didn’t really appreciate growing up Chicana until I lived in Oaxaca, Mexico for 18 months and gained a better understanding of myself. After I got back, I got married and moved to Georgia with my husband. I have not felt as seen as I did reading through the introduction. The nostalgia of growing up in Southern California and reading my life in those 5 pages of introduction resonated deeply and left me in tears as I thumbed through the recipes. Finding that pozole rojo recipe got me through a strong bout of depression and opened the door to reclaim my culture through my love of laborious cooking. This cookbook is one of my favorite recent purchases. I’m so excited to work through it. My husband (and unnecessarily repetitive repertoire of enchiladas and taquitos dorados) will definitely thank you. Esteban, thank you so much for putting this together for our generation of people like us and for future generations to come.
Top reviews from other countries
MiguelNReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 20243.0 out of 5 stars Looks good but I’m a bit disappointed
The recipes look really good but I’m disappointed that there are no traditional Mexican American dishes I remember as a kid growing up in Phoenix AZ back in the 60s, early 70s and in San Jose CA from the early 70s. Dishes like Chilli Verde, usually made with Pork, or Chilli Colorado, made with beef. I’ve had to learn to make these myself from online recipes and from memory.
What we have in this book are updated modernised versions of traditional dishes. The recipes look good and I’ll probably try many of them myself but I’ll most likely use some of the recipes as a guide while rolling back to how the food was made back when I was young.
I live in the Scotland now, and it’s very disappointing to find so-called Mexican restaurants that invent their own style of Mexican food (mostly modelled on American style Mexican food) rather to sticking to real Mexican food. This has lead me to learn how to make my own dishes base on what I find online and memory. By purchasing this book I hoped I would discover what I experienced as a kid. Well, it’s a nice book, but not what I was hoping for.
Hmmm… maybe I should write my own?
-
AndreaReviewed in Italy on September 8, 20233.0 out of 5 stars Pensavo meglio.
Bel libro di ricette, molte fotografie e molte idee originali ma sinceramente pensavo fosse meglio.
Preso ad un prezzo stracciato.
"mrainbow9"Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 20205.0 out of 5 stars Cheerful and delicious!
The photos and layout of this cookbook are lovely, but don't mistake it for a case of style over substance, as all the recipes I've tried so far have been delicious and easy to follow, with ingredients that for the most part could even be sourced in my very small community (or through a trip to the next town over). Everyone in my family has been very happy with it - I also like that it has an extensive assortment of dessert and drink recipes (love the michelada recipe in particular! Better than ones I've had in Mexico!) My only quibble would be that I've caught a few small proofreading errors - hopefully there are not more in the recipes themselves...
HannahReviewed in Australia on June 3, 20215.0 out of 5 stars Well written, cooks a good feast!
This book is lovely. Very beautifully put together and very aesthetically pleasing too.
I have made a couple of successful feasts so far which have been very tasty and well received.
Camarones al mojo de ajo (shrimp in garlic sauce) and arroz blanco are a couple of my faves.
I haven't found it too hard to source some of the more niche ingredients in Australia but don't expect to be able to source all of the ingredients from the main supermarkets. I have been to a couple of special cook shops but not a problem in Sydney - something to think about if you're more regionally based.
WendyReviewed in Canada on August 6, 20205.0 out of 5 stars Great, authentic recipes
The vibrant photography is really eye-catching! Recipes are uncomplicated and I love the personal anecdotes for each recipe including modern twists to traditional recipes. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Mexican recipes.























