Casa Marcela

February 20, 2017
In Valladolid’s latest cookbook, the Food Network host warmly welcomes readers into her new southern California home. Her two prior cookbooks (Mexican Made Easy and The Kitchen) focused on quick and easy Mexican home cooking; in contrast, this lushly photographed book brings the reader into Valladolid’s dream house (it even includes an essay from her interior designer) and the organic garden that provides much of the produce for her recipes. Valladolid has put together an inspiring blend of everyday recipes, along with more time-consuming dishes meant for special occasions. She offers up classics and “house favorite” dishes such as picadillo-stuffed jalapeño peppers; crispy potato and poblano tacos; and oxtail, bean, and chili stew. Some of her most interesting recipes are mash-ups of different cuisines, including huitla waffles, pork shoulder in morita-hoisin sauce, and Mexican ramen. Her healthy and nutritious recipes are balanced by luscious-looking dessert offerings, including a chocolate cajeta brownie pudding and an upside-down mango cake. For readers without a kohlrabi-filled garden or access to the markets in Tijuana (Valladolid frequently crosses the border for Mexican specialties), she usually recommends substitutions. Valladolid’s fans will enjoy reading this book as much as they enjoy cooking from it.

Starred review from May 15, 2017

Celebrity chef Valladolid (Fresh Mexico) hosted the popular Food Network series Mexican Made Easy and currently appears on the cooking-themed talk show The Kitchen. Here, she presents flavorful recipes drawn from her life on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, including crispy potato and poblano tacos, roasted cauliflower steaks with pickled jalapeno vinaigrette, red chile lamb stew, and strawberry layered tres leches cake. These dishes are more elegant than those in her previous cookbooks, perfect for cooks who enjoy entertaining. Throughout, Valladolid shares interesting stories (who knew she competed on The Apprentice), which touch on the joys and challenges of balancing career, family, and home ownership. VERDICT This personal collection of vibrant and varied foods will satisfy many readers. Valladolid's fans will hunger for more.

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