La Piña en la Cocina

Embracing my Mexican heritage and sharing all the wonderful flavors, colors and foods I grew up with. Join me on this journey as I also learn new foods and cooking techniques. Dedicated to my parents Ramiro and Blanca.

Tacos Dorados! Picadillo!

Tacos dorados! Crunchy, fried, corn tortilla shell tacos! I grew up enjoying these. On most occasions they were filled with picadillo (seasoned ground beef), shredded chicken or shredded beef. Since the ground beef was more economical to feed a family of ten, that was mom's first choice most often. There will be lettuce and shredded cheese! Enjoy! My first experience with store-bought hard-shell tacos was not from home! Life in southern California in the early 70's was laid back. Days ...

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copycat chico's tacos

Copycat Chico’s Tacos!!

Copycat Chico's Tacos from El Paso, Texas! Ok, I did live in Texas for several years and have passed through El Paso many times. But, confess that I was young and never had a chance to enjoy Chico's ...

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tortillas de nopal

Tortillas with Masienda

Tortillas, especially corn tortillas have been an intricate part of my life ever since I can remember. Dad worked in the commercial corn tortilla industry back in the late 60's and early 70's in Los ...

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Mango Chamoy

Mango chamoy! Who knew that it would be this easy to prepare at home? What is chamoy exactly? The flavor and texture is unique. A balance of sweet, salty, acid and in some cases, spicy. I wouldn't put ...

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plated barbacoa

Pressure Cooker Barbacoa

Pressure cooker barbacoa! I am loving it! No more waiting for 4-6 hours to enjoy delicious tacos de barbacoa. Mom cooked beef cheek, beef tongue and sometimes the entire cow beef head when it was had ...

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close up of steak plated

Steak a La Chicana

Steak a La Chicana! What? That was my reaction the first time I heard about this dish several years ago. It was made popular in Northern California, specifically Sacramento, in the 60's & 70's. ...

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Beef Puffy Tacos

Beef Puffy Tacos!

Puffy tacos? Yes! Yes! The first time I heard of puffy tacos was back in the nineties during a visit to San Antonio, Texas. Where did they originate? Some will debate that San Antonio, Texas is the ...

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Blackened Fish with Mango Salsa

Do I enjoy blackened fish over battered and fried fish? We are talking about two completely different things. I enjoy both, but there is something so delicious about a seared, seasoned filet that I ...

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Salsa

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Tortillas

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