The Bajío's Bounty: Authentic Mexican Cookbook

Table of Contents

Bebidas (Beverages)      

Here you will find a number of traditional Mexican recipes for drinks, ranging from the hot and cozy chocolate and atole, and the festive ponche, to the refreshing aguas frescas and the fun local Mexican favorite party drinks, the paloma and michelada.

• Chocolate: The traditionally Mexican drink of the gods
• Atole: A hot corn-based beverage in a variety of flavors
• Café de Olla: Coffee, Veracruz style
• Ponche: A festive, hot fruit beverage
• Aguas Frescas: Fruit-Flavored Coolers
• Paloma: "Dove" Drink with grapefruit soda and tequila
• Michelada: A cross between a Beer & a Bloody Mary

 Salsas (Sauces)

Salsas are an essential element to any authentic Mexican recipe. In this chapter you will find a number of traditional Mexican recipes for authentic salsas such as the cooked red and green base sauces, fresh salsas like pico de gallo or salsa bandera and guacamole, to the all-famous authentic Mexican mole.

• Salsa Verde: Green Sauce
• Salsa Roja: Red Sauce 
• Pico de Gallo/Salsa bandera: Chopped fresh salsa
• Guacamole: A fresh avocado-based spread
• Salsa en Molcajete: Roasted Hand-Ground Tomato-based Salsa
• Pesto a la Mexicana: Mexican style pesto
• No-Picante Mole: A mild, dark sauce

Guisos ( Sides)  

Guisos are the cornerstones to the thriving taco stands in Mexico, oftentime you will find pork and red meat guisos but in this collection I have included vegetarian versions of authentic Mexican dishes that every local here loves!

• Frijoles: A variety of beans
• Arroz a la Mexicana: Mexican-style rice
• Arroz con Cilantro: Cilantro Rice
• Sopa: Pasta soup
• Papas con chile: Pan-fried potatoes with chile 
• Rajas con Queso: Chiles with Cheese
• Nopales: Prickly-pear pads

Desayunos (Breakfasts)

Locals here are big on breakfasts and this chapter was written with those delicious authentic Mexican breakfasts in mind. Popular Mexican favorites such as the huevos rancheros, arroz con leche, and chilaquiles will not disappoint.

• Licuados: Smoothies, various flavors  
• Camotes con Leche: Sweet Potatoes with Milk
• Arroz con Leche: Rice & Milk
• Tortas de Papa: Potato Pancakes 
• Huevos Rancheros: Ranch-Style Eggs
• Chilaquiles: Tortilla Strips with Eggs & Chile Sauce

Botanas/Bocadillos (Appetizers/Snacks)  

As any local Mexican would tell you, botanas, or appetizers, are a key part of any fiesta, and this chapter was included to provide you with a variety of options of traditional Mexican recipes for authentic Mexican appetizers that will suit any palate!

• Palomitas: Home-style Popcorn 
• Cacahuates Enchilados: Salted Peanuts with Chili
• Coctel de camaron: Shrimp Cocktail
• Tostadas con Mariscos: Crispy Tortillas with Seafood
• Quesadillas y Sincronizadas: Grilled Tortillas with cheese
• Taquitos: Crunchy Tacos with various fillings

Comidas/Platillos ( Main Dishes)  

The comidas/platillos, or main dishes, are the foundation of traditional Mexican cuisine, and with this in mind, I have provided a good variety of authentic Mexican recipes for traditional dishes such as posole, tinga, milanesa, fajitas, enchiladas, and tamales. Be sure to pair them with authentic guisos and salsas from the previous chapters for best results!

• Caldo de Pollo: Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup
• Posole: Hominy Stew
• Chile Relleno: Healthy version of Stuffed Chiles
• Tinga: Chipotle Chicken and Cabbage on Tostadas
• Pescado a la Veracruzana: Veracruz-style Fish 
• Filete al Achiote: Achiote Spiced Fillet
• Milanesa de Pollo o Pescado: Breaded Chicken or Fish Fillet  
• Fajitas: Marinated, Savory Sauteé
• Enchiladas Rapidas: Fast and Easy Enchiladas
• Tamales: Savory Steamed Corn Fritters

Postres (Desserts)

• Ensaladas de Fruta: Fruit salads
• Pay de Queso: Cheesecake Pie
• Tamales Dulces: Sweet tamales
• Pastel Tres Leches: Three Milks Cake