In a nutshell
The definitive word on traditional Mexican cuisine by the chef who knows it best.
What does it cover?
With more than 600 recipes, what doesn’t it cover? From street food, snacks and seafood to rice and beans, soups and stews, this doorstopper runs the gamut of la cocina Mexicana.
What’s so special?
The way a quick browse through these mostly simple dishes instantly plunges you into the aromatic kaleidoscope of Mesoamerica.
Who would like it?
Anyone for whom the words mole, pozole, chacales and jicama ring with gustatory promise.
Who wouldn’t like it?
If your preferred recipes are quick, easy and familiar, you’re probably not going to enjoy this much. Which would be a shame, really, given how exciting such culinary adventures can be, even when the ingredients are new and a little hard to come by.
Best recipe?
The pork ribs in guava and smoked chilli sauce – as enticing as the multicoloured fluttering of a hundred wedding banners set against the blue, blue sky.
Anything else?
With its papel picado dust jacket and cover of matt orange and varnished pink, this is by far the prettiest book to have landed on Cookworm’s desk.
We say
From the frontispiece to the food and photography, Arronte conjures the everyday Mexican table in all its warmth and splendour.
To order Mexico: The Cookbook for £23 (RRP £29.95) visit bookshop.theguardian.com
or call 0330 333 6846.
