Mexican

Article: Viva Burrito

I don't quite remember who proclaimed that 2010 was going to be the year of the Burrito in the UK, who ever said it, is not far off the mark.  Coming from the states where there is a burrito shack on every corner of Main Street USA I went into burrito withdrawal when I moved to the UK eleven years ago.  In the last few years London has seen a few burrito outposts popping up, some of them are rolling out great burritos and some of them.... Well not so.My current favourite burrito joint is Tortilla. They have 4 locations in London serving up burritos that are filling, flavourful and excellent value.  I had the most disgusting burrito in my life from the Soho branch MexiCali. The meat was ov...

Article: Churros y Chocolate

MMMM doughnuts. I would like to proclaim my belief that there would be allot less conflict in this world if everyone would take a step back, relax and have a doughnut break. I swear it would work! I believe Homer Simpson would agree! Every country on the planet has their own distinctive take on the humble fried bit of pastry. The french have the beignet. The Chinese have their Youtiao. In Turkey they have Tulumba Tatlısı. In Egypt they have cheese stuffed Katayef. In The US they have about a billion different types of doughnuts with a doughnut shop on every corner!But possibly my favourite doughnut of all has to be the humble churro from Mexico. The Churro originated in Spain. They are also popular in Latin America, F...

Article: Holy Mole!

On the 9th of November there was much cause for rejoicing in the land. London’s best Mexican restaurant Wahaca opened another branch of their muy successful Mexican Canteen in Canary Wharf. Why the jubilation? Well if you have not been to Wahaca you simple have not lived! Wahaca is the brainchild of Thomasina Miers, whom I had the pleasure to compete with in the first series of Masterchef. Tommi caught the Mexican bug on a gastronomic adventure in Mexico. She made it her mission to start the Mexican revolution in the UK! For that, I thank you Tommi. Every since I washed up on the shores from the use in 1999 I've longed for some d...

Article: Chile Verde

Green Chile was one of the first recipes that I ever committed to memory. Thanks to the mother of my childhood friend Jennifer Arriaga, I leaned how to cook this dish in my early teens and have been making it ever since. Green Chile or Chili Verde is the lesser know (in the UK) sister to the popular American Southwest staple of Chile Con Carne. Chile Verde is a Mexican stew that really lets the flavours of chili's sing. There are many variations of the chili, some to include tomatillos or white beans, but never tomatoes.  In this version I've used Padron peppers, their flavour works wonderfully in this stew. Feel free to replace with any mild-medium chilies that you have...

Article: Cebollas Curtidas - Mexican Pickled Onion

Mexican Pickled Onion (Cebollas Curtidas) are an integral part of Mexican street food. The harshness of the onion is softened by the vinegar and eventually mellowed by the citrus juice. If Seville oranges are in season you can use that instead of the Lime and Orange combination.The pickling juice is also rather versatile, it can be used on shredded cabbage and carrots.

Article: Beef Salpicon Tostadas

I've been going on a bit of a Mexican Renaissance over the last few weeks. I think all my childhood food memories are being rekindled by our recent visits to Thomasina Miers' Mexican canteen Wahaca. If you've not been there to experience her take on Mexican Street food, then I highly recommend it. There are two great locations in London; Covent Garden and in the uber swish...