Quick and Easy Mexican Home Cooking Recipes

Get lost in the pages of this great summer read, as Pati Jinich, the host of the highly popular PBS show Pati's Mexican Table, shares a collection of everyday Mexican dishes, ranging from traditional recipes to creative twists. With a mission to prove that Mexican home cooking is quicker and far easier than most Americans think, Jinich presents a wide variety of dishes that are surprising in their simplicity and freshness.

Jinich's recipes incorporate a variety of produce and grains, and they are designed to fit perfectly into an everyday family cooking schedule, using just a handful of ingredients, many of which are already in your pantry. These dishes include both homey specialties that Jinich learned from her mother and grandmother, as well as creative spins on classic Mexican cuisine and lesser-known dishes from Mexico.

From the delicious Chicken à la Trash (a one-pot meal that Jinich gleaned from a Mexican restaurant cook) to the Mexican Meatballs with Mint and Chipotle, Sweet and Salty Salmon, and Mexican-Style Pasta, these recipes can revitalize your daily cooking repertoire. Vegetarian fare is also well-represented, with dishes like Classic Avocado Soup, Divorced Eggs (with red and green salsa), and Oaxaca-Style Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas.

Jinich also shares a variety of crowd-pleasing dishes, such as Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Pickled Ancho Chile Vinaigrette, Crab Cakes with Jalapeño Aioli, and Chicken Tinga (which can be made using rotisserie chicken), that can be used as fillings for tortas and tostadas. For special occasions, Jinich offers exciting dishes like Mexican Thanksgiving Turkey with Chorizo, Pecan, Apple, and Corn Bread Stuffing, Spiral-Cut Beef Tenderloin, and the festive Red Pozole ("a Mexican party in a bowl"), which she served on her wedding day.

No cookbook would be complete without a selection of delectable desserts, and Jinich delivers with recipes for Triple Orange Mexican Wedding Cookies, Scribble Cookies (sandwich cookies filled with chocolate), and little Apricot-Lime Glazed Mini Pound Cakes, all of which are sophisticated yet simple to make.

Overall, this great summer read promises to transport readers to the vibrant flavors of Mexico, offering a wealth of inspiring and approachable recipes that can be easily incorporated into everyday family meals or special gatherings.

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