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.

Taqueria-Style Salsa Recipes

Taqueria-Style Salsa in Jars

Preparing a taqueria-style salsa at home is much easier than you think. I have been preparing salsa like this for years and really had no idea that is was a taqueria "thing" I have prepared it with boiled ingredients, dry roasted, grilled, fried and even fresh! And if you want to take it to a whole other flavor level, try smoking your salsa ingredients with a little wood smoke next time you fire up your grill. Tasty! What's the hardest part about preparing this taqueria-style salsa? Deciding ...

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Two Easy Mexican Fish Recipes~Fresh Salsa!

Blackened Salmon Tacos

During Lent, I get to experiment with more fish recipes. Not that I cannot do it the rest of the year, but I am reminded more during this time. And I am not complaining. My husband and I really enjoy all kinds of fish. One of the biggest hurdles for me, when it comes to fish, is finding product that is fresh. I don't exactly live in an area where fresh seafood is available. Lucky for me, some of the markets are offering packaged fish that is fresh and that has never been frozen. So far, I ...

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Chiles Rellenos~Roasted and Stuffed Poblanos

This is another one of those recipes that is near and dear to my heart. A recipe from my Mom that took me many, many years to finally “get it right.” I still find myself having flashbacks of watching her in the kitchen and some of the tricks she used to prepare her dishes. For years, I just could not get this egg batter to work for me. A while back I was watching a food video about chiles rellenos and I remembered how my Mom would tilt her bowl as she beat the batter and how fluffy it would be. ...

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Blue Corn Chicken Pozole! Red, White and Blue!

Blue corn chicken pozole in a bowl close up

Blue corn chicken pozole! That's what I said! I really think my fascination for maiz(corn) of all different colors is because of my dad, Ramiro. Those of you who have been following me for a while know that my dad used to work with corn tortilla machinery. On many occasions he would test out the the big stainless steel tubs and cook dried corn. What do you mean cook the corn? Hominy is corn, but it is processed different than maize for tortillas to give it that over sized puffy look. ...

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Taqueria-Style Salsa in Jars

Taqueria-Style Salsa Recipes

Preparing a taqueria-style salsa at home is much easier than you think. I have been preparing salsa like this for years and really had no idea that is was a taqueria "thing" I have prepared it with ...

Read More

Blackened Salmon Tacos

Two Easy Mexican Fish Recipes~Fresh Salsa!

During Lent, I get to experiment with more fish recipes. Not that I cannot do it the rest of the year, but I am reminded more during this time. And I am not complaining. My husband and I really enjoy ...

Read More

Chiles Rellenos~Roasted and Stuffed Poblanos

This is another one of those recipes that is near and dear to my heart. A recipe from my Mom that took me many, many years to finally “get it right.” I still find myself having flashbacks of watching ...

Read More

Top view beef picadillo with rice and beans on mexican plate

Beef Picadillo with Vegetables

Beef picadillo was my favorite, as a kid, and still my favorite meal that reminds me of home. Simple ground beef with vegetables cooked in a freshly blended tomato puree. It does't get any easier. ...

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Top view shrimp aguachile with sliced avocado and tostadas

Chile Piquin Aguachile

Two of my favorite ingredients are, chile piquin and shrimp! What is chile piquin aguachile? Chile piquin is one of the smallest Mexican chile peppers and one of the spiciest. It's is used in it's ...

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Spaghetti and Meatballs- Espaghetti

Spaghetti with Meatballs- Espagueti!

Espagueti con albondigas translates to spaghetti with meatballs! I have to be honest that traditional spaghetti with meatballs was not a dish I grew up with. I did grow up enjoying mom albondiga soup ...

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Barbacoa taco close up

Beef Skirt Barbacoa (Barbacoa de Arrachera)

When I first heard the words barbacoa de arrachera (beef skirt barbacoa, I stopped dead in my tracks! I was like, "What!!!" I must investigate! After an afternoon of researching online and watching a ...

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Pambazo on deli paper

Pambazo

When I first set eyes on a pambazo Mexican sandwich, I could not believe my eyes! I didn't understand how I was already at the age I am at, and never enjoyed one of these. Of course the only way for ...

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Mexican Garlic shrimp plated and close up

Mexican Garlic Shrimp (Camarones Al Ajillo)

There is garlic shrimp and then there's Mexican garlic shrimp! The main ingredients are garlic and shrimp, of course. Shrimp scampi, I love it! Spain's version of camarones al ajillo, delicious! Big ...

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Carne Asada Taco Close up

Carne Asada Adobada- Adobo Marinated Steak

Carne asada adobada. Ok, you have my attention! One of the most often asked questions I get is, "Do you have a good marinade for carne asada?" It depends on what mood I am in how I decide to prepare ...

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