A Gringo's Guide to Authentic Mexican Cooking (Cookbooks and Restaurant Guides)

I have been looking for a good Mexican cookbook for some time. Years ago I used the Sunset Mexican cookbook but found it too Americanized; on the other extreme are some authentic Mexican cookbooks that have a huge list of ingredients and complicated recipes. I was a bit cautious about this book by Mad Coyote Joe, because the cover didn't look serious enough, and the emphasis on "gringos" put me off a bit. However, I tried it anyway (it was on sale!), and I am delighted with it. This is the only Mexican cookbook I will ever need. I would categorize it as a book for moderately advanced cooks who like to use fresh ingredients and who also like to experiment and adjust recipes to their own taste. The author identifies what makes a recipe authentic, and he encourages cooks to adjust according to taste.This cookbook would be worth its price just for the section on drinks. There are many great ones here--Mexican chocolates, sangrita, margaritas, etc.--and the ingredients are fresh and interesting. For the rest of the cookbook, there are chapters on just about anything you could desire--beans, salsas, main dishes, tacos, tamales, burritos, enchiladas, and lots of desserts too. After reading the section on refried beans, I now know what I've been doing wrong when I make them; the advice here is different from anything I have seen before. I will be able to improve my other favorite dishes too, and there are many new ones that I intend to try. If you like fish, this book has many good fish and shellfish recipes. A great feature is the "hotness" level that the author supplies for each recipe; this feature allows the cook to vary the amount of peppers to taste and prevents ruining a dish by making it too bland or too hot.There is an informative section on 13 types of fresh chiles and 8 types of dried ones, as well as explanations of cooking tools and accessories that are useful for Mexican recipes. There are lots of color photos and a wonderful variety of meals with so many fresh ingredients. I can't wait to try many of them! I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this cookbook; there are many uncomplicated recipes, and there are a few that are more challenging. The lack of an index was a problem for another reviewer, but I don't find that a problem at all, because the chapters are arranged by categories--sauces, drinks, fish, etc. It's easy to find the recipe you want, and browsing is fun anyway. Highly recommended!

Yes, this is a good book for the gringo. I read it cover to cover twice before using the recipes simply because I enjoyed it. I have cooked professionally for 20 years, but never made authentic tasting Mexican dishes. I attempted them occasionally, but didn't have enough information beforehand to get the results I was looking for. I sought the most authentic Mexican restaurants in my area and patronized them for my sub-border fix. Since I got this book, I have not been able to put it on the bookshelf and my larder has a growing list of new items that I am enjoying. I have become familiar with the local Latin markets and their owners. The different chile pepper flavors are no longer a mystery and I'm enjoying my own homemade tortillas, salsas, carnitas, etc. All the recipes are informative, flavorful and yet simple enough to leave room for personal adjustment and interpretation while maintaining authenticity. Your meals will taste like you grew up with a Mexican grandmother. This book has changed the way I look at Mexican food, markets, restaurants, and culture. The author could have been more explicit with preparation technique, but I still think that this is a good introduction for the gringo. Some of it seems a bit over simplified, but once you get started, you find it all conforms to "your kitchen". There are no hard rules in this kind of folk cooking. If you like Mexican food to begin with, you will likely be very pleased with with the results. Now my Mexican dishes are as good or better than any restaurant I've tried, because I can do it all from scratch. This book is inspiring and fun. Although it is currently the only Mexican cookbook I own, I have looked perused many over time and find this one to be quite satisfying. I don't feel that I need another book on the topic, but I will likely seek another to further expand my repertoire. That is, if I can find another which I like as well as this one!

My original review for this cookbook was only 1 star (posted a few days ago) and quite long - I wanted to show all the places the recipes could be more informative. There are many, many spots in the book which lack good detailed cooking instructions. The book also doesn't give any directions for making your own fresh tortillas - a major drawback for any book claiming to teach how to do authentic Mexican cooking. But I'm trying to get rid of that review and give this book more of the praise it deserves. Mad Joe's Carne Asada recipe, when fixed, (which I did cook over real Mesquite Wood Charcoal) is simple but delicious! I've also done the Taco Soup - another winner. This book has also given me some basic knowledge on the many types of chiles, too.I'm giving this book 4 stars in my new review, because I cooked a few of the dishes and they are quite good. I'm learning I can take Joe's basic recipes and Tex-Mex them up to please my palate. Otherwise they could be quite plain and tasteless. The book is a great guide on some wonderful Mexican-cooking basics. One can improvise on these and get some really delicious Tex Mex dishes! Like for Joe's recipe for beef tacos - open faced plain corn tortillas with a serving of Carne Asadas on top - well, add some good American cheese and some onions - and try it in a flour tortilla with these additions and top with his easy salsa recipe!

Met this dude at C4 decades ago. Not the nicest guy on earth, and pretty full of himself.That being said, great books, AND….Best green chili stew I have ever had!

I'm new to Mexican Cooking but I think this is a good starter/beginner book. It explains the basics and the recipes are easy to follow. I have tried a few already and the feedback has been all positive.

Really good, excellent ideas and authentic Mexican food