September 15 to October 15 brings the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, a time that honors the cultures of American citizens whose ancestors came from Central and South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Spain.
Latin American cuisine is one of the most vibrant and diverse in the world, reflecting the region’s rich history and cultural heritage. From Mexico to Argentina, each country in Latin America has its own unique culinary traditions, influenced by indigenous, African, and European cultures.
Celebrate the diverse food cultures of Hispanic and Latin America with these cookbooks available to borrow with your Livingston Library card reflecting. Enjoy traditional dishes from empanadas, tamales, arepas, tortillas, quesadillas, and tacos, to the combination of creative contemporary recipes as immigrants reinvent their favorite family dishes.
Authentic Brazilian Home Cooking : Simple, Delicious Recipes for Classic Latin American Flavors by Olivia Mesquita
Inspired by the food Olivia’s grandmother made her as a child, these crowd-pleasing recipes draw from generations of vibrant Brazilian flavors, cooking and culture. Recreate the taste of your childhood with a mouthwatering Carne Louca (Braised Beef with Onions, Tomato and Peppers) that will rival even your mother’s, or try your hand at delicious recipes like Plantain Gnocchi or Pastel de Bacalhau (Fried Cod Empanadas). Or, if you’re new to Brazilian cuisine, expand and delight your palate with authentic, standout dishes like Barreado na Panela de Pressão (Instant Pot Cumin Beef Stew) or Bobó de Frango (Chicken with Yuca Stew).
The Big Peruvian Cookbook : 100 Delicious Traditional Recipes From Peru by Morena Cuadra
Peruvian cuisine, described by food critic Eric Asimov as one of the world’s most important cuisines and a model of fusion cuisine, is the new lip-smacking trend worthy of every American table. This cookbook is a journey through the diverse gastronomy of the multicultural South American country, from its Andean peaks to its coastal towns and tropical jungles.
Colombiana : A Rediscovery of Recipes & Rituals From the Soul of Colombia by Mariana Velasquez
To Velásquez, a native of Bogotá, the diverse mix of heritages, cultures, and regions that comprise Colombian food can be summed up in one simple concept: More is more. No matter what rung of society, Colombians feed their guests well, and leave them feeling nourished in body and soul. The award-winning recipe developer and food stylist draws on the rich culinary traditions of her native land and puts her own modern twist on dishes beloved by generations of Colombians. Here are recipes for classics such as arepas and empanadas, as well as “Colombian-ish” recipes like Lomito de Cerdo al Tamarindo y Menta (Tamarind Pork Tenderloin with Mint), Gazpacho de Papaya y Camarón Tostado (Spicy Papaya and Charred Shrimp Gazpacho), and Cuchuco de Trigo con Pollito y Limón (Lemony Bulgur Farmer’s Chicken Soup). In addition to offering a unique perspective on Colombian food, Mariana shares the vibrant style of Colombian tablescapes and entertaining.
Diasporican : A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyana Maisonet
Maisonet, the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the U.S., whose name readers may recognize from Food52, Food & Wine, and other outlets, delivers a deeply personal, history-filled first cookbook featuring the foodways of her family and their homeland. She explains the roots of Borinquen cooking and the effects on it from colonization, newcomers, and modern challenges, like the island nation having to import 80 percent of its food. Nearly 100 recipes offer a fusion of her family’s favorites and other flavors that have influenced the author’s life. Armchair cooks—and travelers, too—will appreciate the bright and vibrant photography of dishes and island scenes, as well as Maisonet’s honest, funny, and encouraging voice. Maisonet organizes recipes by protein, including many recipes for beef barbacoa and delicious seafood dishes.
The Dominican Kitchen : Homestyle Recipes That Celebrate the Flavors, Traditions, and Culture of the Dominican Republic by Vanessa Mota
Mota, creator of the popular blog My Dominican Kitchen, brings the everyday dishes she grew up with in the Dominican Republic to your busy life. Made with easy-to-find ingredients and featuring traditional comfort foods, the 80 recipes incorporate the delicious flavors of la comida criolla dominicana (Creole food), with influences from the Taíno, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and China.
Familia : 125 Foolproof Mexican Recipes to Feed Your People by Marcela Valladolid
Television food personality Valladolid revels in cooking for and with family members. Here, she shares some 10 dozen of her most beloved offerings to entertain other families as well. Favorites shine in all their glory: chilaquiles, tamales, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more. QR codes in some recipes further detail standard processes, such as roasting chiles. While most recipes are accessible to cooks with basic kitchen skills and limited equipment, Valladolid ventures into some more complex classics, such as chiles in nogada, which she simplifies by eschewing deep-frying the peppers and fashioning the rich sauce with raw cashews instead of walnuts.
The Gracias Madre Cookbook : Bright, Plant-Based Recipes From Our Mexi-Cali Kitchen
Adapted for the plant-based home cook, this collection of 125 simple recipes from one of L.A.’s favorite restaurants celebrates the fresh, bright flavors of Mexico and Southern California and serves as a vegetable-forward dive into one of the world’s most delicious cuisines.
The Latin Table: Easy, Flavorful Recipes from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Beyond by Isabel Cruz
Easy, flavorful, and good-for-you Latin cuisine from the kitchen of west-coast chef and restaurant owner Cruz. Cruz shares her signature recipes and award-winning cocktails from her restaurants, teaching home chefs how to easily prepare flavorful Latin meals at home.
Latin-ish : 100 Recipes Celebrating American Latino Cuisines by Marisel Salazar
Salazar combines years of research and travel to bring you a diverse array of delectable, modern foods shaped by diaspora and migration. Start your day with San Antonio Migas or Guava Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls and snack on a Mango Chamoy Salad or Yuca Fries with Cilantro Lime Aioli. Feast on Cuban Pizza or Arkansas Tamales, indulge in a slice of Plantain Upside Down Cake or Fried Ice Cream, and kick back with a Oaxaca Old-Fashioned or a Texas Margarita. Recipes appear in meal order, helpfully organized by cook and prep times.
Latinísimo : Home Recipes From the Twenty-One Countries of Latin America by Sandra A. Gutierrez
Contains recipes that delve into cuisines from across Latin America, delivering classic, home-cooked dishes readers could find in the kitchens of 21 different countries. The first chapter contains essential building blocks, covering sauces to spices, broths to crepes. Following chapters divide the recipes by essential ingredients, with introductions that highlight the importance of each—historically and today—and share the dish’s country of origin, difficulty, and cooking time, along with other great reading. For home cooks being introduced to new ingredients, Gutierrez gives plenty of tips for procuring and substitutions. Her extensive research is evident as she shares a concise culinary history of Latin America, including influences like immigration, colonization, and Indigenous food.
Mexico In Your Kitchen : Favorite Mexican Recipes That Celebrate Family, Community, Culture, and Tradition by Mely Martinez
Martínez is the go-to source for those looking for authentic Mexican cooking, and in this follow-up to her best-selling cookbook, The Mexican Home Kitchen, she shares even more favorites, including breakfasts, antojitos (street food), and breads, along with soups, main dishes, sides, salsas, desserts, and drinks. She compiles over 95 traditional dishes enjoyed every day in Mexico, from those beloved all over the country to regional specialties.
Mi Cocina by Rick Martinez
Rick travels to each of the seven regions in Mexico to explore 100 unique dishes, the recipe for each accompanied by stunning on-site photography. In this beautifully personal tribute, Rick expresses Mexico’s regionality through dishes like Oaxaca’s Mole Coloradito (a rich pasilla chile sauce made with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds and sweetened with plantain and bittersweet chocolate) and Tacos de Capeados (cornmeal-battered fried fish tacos with papaya, tomatillo, and a spicy cream sauce) from coastal Baja.
Muy Bueno Fiestas : 100+ Delicious Mexican Recipes for Celebrating the Year by Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack
Taste your way through a year of holidays with Sharpnack, creator of the popular food blog Muy Bueno. You’ll discover how to show your love on Valentine’s Day with Heart-Shaped Berry Empanadas, celebrate Mother’s Day with Guava Mimosas, whip up Chile Braised Pork Ribs for Día de los Muertos; make a big batch of Red Chile and Chicken Tamales for the December holidays, and much more.
My Mexican Mesa, y Listo! : Beautiful Flavors, Family Style by Jenny Martinez
Features 100 recipes ranging from breakfast and appetizers to tacos, tamales, and taquitos. The main dishes include mole negro, carnitas, chiles rellenos, and enchiladas. Jenny also covers kitchen basics for making tortillas and salsas from scratch–recipes that are sure to become staples in the home of anyone who enjoys the book. And let’s not forget her tasty desserts like churros, paletas, and Mexican bread pudding, and a few cocktails too.
Treasures of the Mexican Table : Classic Recipes, Local Secrets by Pati Jinich
The “buoyant and brainy Mexican cooking authority” (New York Times) and star of the three-time James Beard Award-winning PBS series Pati’s Mexican Table brings together more than 150 iconic dishes that define the country’s cuisine.
Sobremesa : Tasty Mexican Recipes for Every Day by Susana Villasuso
Sobremesa means “relaxing at the table after a heavy meal,” usually after getting together with family and friends. Mexican-born chef and recipe developer Villasuso is on a mission to bring the flavors of Mexico to your table, and share her culture with the world. Inspired by the dishes she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, this debut cookbook brings together authentic, modern, simple, and tasty recipes for feeding the whole family and for all occasions, made with everyday supermarket ingredients. It’s a real taste of Mexico, with a modern twist.
Spice Kitchen : Healthy Latinx and Caribbean Cuisine by Ariel Contreras-Fox
Hell’s Kitchen winner chef Fox introduces you to both classic recipes as well as innovative new dishes in a way that works for all lifestyles. Fox made the decision to change her lifestyle, learn about nutrition, and get in the greatest shape of her life while still maintaining a connection to the foods she grew up eating. Now she’s here to share her decades of experience and knowledge with you. Features 110 recipes that takes a healthier approach to cuisines.
Super Easy Tortilla and Taco Cookbook : Make Meals Fun, Delicious, and Easy with Taco and Tortilla Recipes Everyone Will Love by Dotty Griffith
Learn to make authentic corn and wheat tortillas as well as gluten-free tortillas–with exciting variations using spices, tomatoes, spinach, and chile peppers. And then find a host of tasty filling recipes that will make tacos and tortillas your new go-to meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Trejo’s Cantina : Cocktails, Snacks & Amazing Nonalcoholic Drinks From the Heart of Hollywood by Danny Trejo
The cantina is the place where families, friends, and colleagues gather to celebrate. Beloved actor and restaurateur Trejo shares recipes for snacks and drinks that celebrate his traditions and spirit. Along with mouthwatering recipes that make all people feel welcome, from plant-based (Vegan Tamales) and vegetarian (Fight Night Nachos; Mexican Grilled Caesar) to meaty faves (Chorizo Smash Burgers; Tijuana-Style Birria), there are also dozens of inventive takes on classic cocktails including spicy Margaritas and Oaxacan “Moscow” Mules as well as dozens of thirst-quenching non-alcoholic drinks such as Agua Frescas (Pineapple, Guava Lime, Mango), a Tamarind Fizz, and a Cacao Chile Smoothie.
—Archana Chiplunkar, Adult Services & Acquisitions Librarian