Latinx Heritage Month: Cookbooks & Food

Diana Kennedy is one of the key experts on Mexican cuisines. Married to a journalist who was stationed in Mexico, Kennedy became an expert historian because of her love and fascination with Mexico, its people, culture and definitely the great variety of foods.  She established the Diana Kennedy Center in Mexico to preserve the native foods, resources and cuisine.

Along with Diana Kennedy, Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz is the other Englishwoman who became enthralled with Mexican cuisine and its history.  As with Kennedy, Ortiz thoroughly researched the food, the people, their culture and history, and conveys her fascination and love with precision, ease and wit.  She traces Mexico's major contributions to world cuisine: chocolate, vanilla, corn, the great variety of chilies, tomatoes, avocados, green beans, dried beans, pumpkin, papayas, summer squashes, and other foods. The chapters on foods, with historical introductions, go way back to the original peoples of the country, the Aztecs, Mayans, Toltecs. The only dated section is for food resources. Here in Los Angeles/Southern California we have the world of foods within easy reach.

In this revised edition of his original cookbook, Oswald Rivera adds more information about the history, food and culture of Puerto Rico, with the island's unique mix of Spanish, African and Caribbean peoples.

Stories and recipes are combined in this memoir of Cuba in the 1940s and 1950s.  This was the heyday of partying with lots of good food and drinks, tourists, music, and government corruption.  Viviana Carballo's family was charming and adventurous, with big personalities. Almost all of the recipes are prefaced with some anecdote relating to family or cultural events.

Corn, potatoes, beans, peanuts, squash, avocados, tomatoes, chocolate and chiles were indigenous to the cultures and cuisines of the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas. For many millennia, long before the Spanish invasion, these foods were cultivated for use in cooking. The individual foods, which have become ubiquitous, and their preparation are examined by Coe in a thorough and interesting style.

Diana Kennedy is the authority on all types of  Mexican cuisine. In this very large book, 10 inches by 12 inches and weighing about 10 pounds, she has organized her thorough research on Oaxacan gastronomy, which includes recipes, preparation and cooking of produce, plants, spices and delicacies.  Organized by region in the table of contents and in the index, the book includes numerous full-color pages of photographs and smaller images. There are three pillars of Oaxacan cuisine: chocolate, corn and the unique chiles of Oaxaca.  A terrific book to cook from and to read.

Master pastry chef Joseluis Flores presents a wonderful array of desserts: flans, puddings, cookies, sweet breads, cakes and pastries, fruit desserts, chocolate desserts, ice cream, sorbert and granita.

Pastry chef Fany Gerson presents a personal and professional overview of Mexican sweets. Great recipes and their origins are traced, and Gerson includes personal experiences and insights. There are numerous color photographs of the desserts and local cooks and chefs in Mexico.

Bend the taco like Wesley Avila and you have guerrilla tacos  He takes basic tacos and serves them up with mouthfuls of surprises.

Hugo Ortega, award-winning chef and restaurateur, steps outside to bring us recipes for street food of Mexico. More often than not street food is the best food. Included are full-page color photographs of food, people and markets.

Argentine grill master and South American celebrity, Francis Mallman shares basic techniques and recipes, and adds a few secret family recipes.

Alicia Maher's award-winning book features traditional Salvadoran recipes and techniques, which has a recipe for Quesadilla Salvadoreña or Salvadoran sweet quesadilla cake.

Unusual ice cream and sorbet flavors such as Avocado-Passion Fruit and Corn and Cacao.

Bill Esparza has written the ultimate book about Mexican food in Los Angeles, which includes:  history about people and places, recipes, resources, neighborhood restaurants listed by region and by specialty. In addition there are vibrant color photographs by Staci Valentine. In the introduction Gustavo Arellano best summarizes who Esparza is and what he has created.

"He is America's finest chronicler of Mexican food right now, the Livingston of lengua, the Magellan of menudo, the Captain Cook of carnitas. He tracks down the most obscure Mexican regional dishes, whether in a tiny Mexican village or an alley in the middle of the San Fernando Valley, and lets the world know about it, bringing big, necessary business to mom-and-pop shops. And he does this with no formal journalism training and while playing sax across the world."

The author remembers Cuba from the 1920s and 1930s, and the recipes are from her family and friends. 

A modern take on Cuban food that encompasses its diverse culinary history with innovative new techniques.

El Cholo Cafe is a Los Angeles institution dating back to 1922, where there are fourth and fifth generations working at the restaurant. This book combines history, memories and some of the old time recipes.

There are Mexidan fast-food franchises all over the United States, and although the food does not resemble anything traditional, Americans love to eat at these places. Gustavo Arellano states that Mexican food is not new to the United States, and gives us some history of how this came about. In addition he rates some of the best Mexican restaurants, cafes and dives throughout the country.

Gonzalo Guzman, head chef at San Francisco's neighborhood restaurant, give us 100 traditional recipes from Puebla, Mexico City, Michoacan, the Yucatan, Veracruz, and elsewhere, and add his own spin on all of them.

Who is that guy smiling, holding a chopping cleaver? Actor Danny Trejo has portrayed the scariest of bad guys, but he can do more. The man can cook. He has written a cookbook, a confession about his wild life, and tales of Los Angeles. As Danny says, “It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish.”

The Lopez family shares the recipes from their Guelaguetza Restaurant that has served up traditional Oaxacan cuisine for over 20 years.

Rick Martínez, food writer and chef, takes readers on a tour de force, lip-smacking, journey through Mexico. His own recipes are glorious, accompanied by anecdotes and full-page color photographs.   

This cookbook/memoir matches vibrant recipes with vibrant photographs and illustrations. The creator of the award-winning blog Chicano Eats presents traditional and fusion recipes that are easy to prepare and share.

The authors state, "Carne asada is not just a taco... in millions of backyards across Southern California, asada means family, friends, memories, great music, cold drinks, good times, and the community you’ve built." Their richly illustrated and informative book is more than abundant proof of those ideas.

Danny Trejo, actor and all-around food maven has created another smashing food book. Generous, mouthwatering appetizers pared with equally tasty beverages can be a great meal. Allow Danny to show you how to create a booze-free bar.

Claudia Regalado, popular on YouTube for her Mexican cooking tutorials, shares 100 beloved recipes in this book. From family favorites to modern classics, she offers authentic ingredients, expert tips, and a passion for Mexican cuisine. Whether you're making tortillas, tacos, or desserts, this is the perfect guide for mastering Mexican cooking.

Alexa Soto transforms traditional Mexican dishes with a fresh, plant-based twist in Plantas. Featuring intuitive recipes from salsas to Cauliflower Al Pastor, this beautifully photographed guide offers easy, flavorful vegan meals. Perfect for vegans and omnivores alike, Plantas celebrates Mexico's rich culinary heritage in a modern, delicious way for every occasion.

Fans of Mexican cuisine will recognize their favorite dishes but with a vegan twist. I like the Soy Chorizo Potato Tacos, Potato and Cheese-Stuffed Poblano Peppers, and the Cajeta, or Mexican Caramel.

Vanessa Mota presents 80 easy, authentic Dominican recipes that bring the vibrant flavors of la comida criolla Dominicana into your home. From comforting dishes like Sancocho and Pollo Guisado to snacks and desserts, makes enjoying Dominican cuisine simple with easy-to-find ingredients. Filled with colorful, stunning photographs.