Mexican Food

These flaky pastries are perfect for a meal or even a snack. First you make the Dough and then you can stuff it with all sorts of things, from meat to fruit. Here is a delicious Beef Empanada Filling made with ground beef, potatoes and hard-boiled eggs. For a sweeter version try these Apple Empanadas with a caramel sauce.

Most people would not think of eating a bowl of hearty stew when it's 100 degrees outside. Nor does a cool, refreshing salad seem like the right choice in the middle of a snowstorm. However, this light Sopa de Lima is just right for any weather. The chicken is satisfying...the broth is light.... and the added tangy flavor of the lime adds zing to just a "regular" chicken soup. Enjoy some tonight whether it's a balmy 80 degrees or a cool 60 degrees, it will be just right.

Try these flavorful Chicken and Cheese Tamales for your next family gathering.  Whether it's over the dinner table or at a party, they are a definite crowd-pleaser. They are made with masa dough and stuffed with shredded chicken, green chiles and cheese.

Beans are a staple in my families house and these ones are slow-cooked with onion and garlic to bring out the rich and hearty flavors. These Pinto Beans are wonderful as a side dish, but can be eaten alone as well. Just top them with some chopped onions and cilantro and you've got yourself a meal.

Tacos are a great dish for spring and summer because they are quick and easy and don't require a lot of cooking time. You can fill them with just about anything, but some of my favorite fillings are in these Grilled Chicken and Chile Tacos. They are stuffed with grilled chicken, fresh roasted green chiles, melted cheese, corn and green chile sauce. Most of the cooking is done outdoors on the grill, so they are a perfect meal for warm spring evenings.

As spring is in full swing and the flowers are blooming, cool and refreshing drinks are replacing the warm and cozy beverages of winter. And what better way to enjoy the flowers blooming around you then to enjoy a drink made from them.

Jamaica Agua Fresca or "Hibiscus Tea" is a perfect springtime beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold, though I prefer it cold. It is similar in color and flavor to cranberry juice and is full of vitamin C. You may actually have hibiscus growing in your yard somewhere... but just enjoy the blooms as they are. In order to make them into a drink, you need to buy dried hibiscus flowers also known as "Jamaica" (say huh-MY-ih-kuh.) Read the recipe here.

If you've ever been to Mexico, you've probably picked up a couple of these delicious Carne Asada Tacos wrapped in foil and steaming hot. The tortillas are soft and chewy and the carne asada (grilled beef) just about melts in your mouth. They are a popular Mexican "street food"... much like a good hot dog on the streets of New York or a hot slice of deep dish pizza in Chicago. But you don't have to take a trip to Mexico to enjoy a carne asada taco, just make them yourself.

Nothing says spring like a beautiful day and an icy-cold frozen treat in your hand. From raspberry to mango, these sweet treats are perfect on a warm spring day, or anytime you want a cool and refreshing snack. Check out this selection of delicious paletas recipes and make sure you have the ingredients on hand to make up a batch whenever the mood strikes.

This salsa is very hot and spicy and should only be eaten by those who are used to extremely hot dishes. Xnipec is made with habanero chiles which give it ridiculous amounts of heat. If you can tolerate the heat it is a delicious sauce that is popular in the Yucatan area of Mexico and is also known as "house sauce" or "table sauce" because it is served at nearly every meal. Kind of like how you find ketchup on every restaurant table in the U.S. or soy sauce on every table in Chinese restaurants. The bitter orange in Xnipec combined with the subtle fruitiness of habaneros is a delicious match and will go deliciously in place of your usual salsa.