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.

Mexican Salsa! The Cookbook!

Me holding open my cookbook

Finally, the day is here! A Mexican salsa cookbook, published! As many of you know, I am very passionate about preparing fresh salsa. All kinds! Thanks to technology, I produced this short video with all the images, plus more of the 50 recipes featured in my first cookbook. I decided to start with this smaller book to share recipes that I prepare over and over again. After all, you can't have a good taco unless there's good tortillas, salsas and garnishes. Order your copy of Mexican Salsa the ...

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Albondigas Norteñas- Mexican Beef Soup

Albondigas(meatballs) are most often prepared with a ground meat. This recipe of Albondigas Norteñas is a recipe that was adapted from my abuelita Sara. For many years now, my sister and I have been toying with the idea of writing a family cookbook. In one of our many conversations, I expressed how I wished to have been able to learn more of my grandmother's recipes. Her cooking style was simple, always prepared with fresh ingredients and served in a simple manner.   Not Every ...

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How To Prepare Nixtamal,Maiz Blanco

Maiz blanco

The aromas of the nixtamal cooking brings back many wonderful memories. Memories of my dad, Ramiro, working in his garage all day building his commercial tortilla machinery. Not only did he quit school in the 6th grade, but had no real schooling after that. He, like many, left his wife and young family in Mexico to seek the American dream in the United States. I still remember all of his stories of his adventures growing up in Mexico. His idols were Pedro Infante and Javier Solis. The excitement ...

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Me holding open my cookbook

Mexican Salsa! The Cookbook!

Finally, the day is here! A Mexican salsa cookbook, published! As many of you know, I am very passionate about preparing fresh salsa. All kinds! Thanks to technology, I produced this short video with ...

Read More

Albondigas Norteñas- Mexican Beef Soup

Albondigas(meatballs) are most often prepared with a ground meat. This recipe of Albondigas Norteñas is a recipe that was adapted from my abuelita Sara. For many years now, my sister and I have ...

Read More

Chiles Rellenos!

Chiles rellenos! I have lost count on the many times I have prepared chiles rellenos these past 37 years! The most recent time was a few months back. Every time I share a chile relleno post, it ...

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Stove Top Roasted Salsa!

Stove top roasted salsa! So many salsa variations, too little time! We will fit in as many as we can! I walk into my kitchen on any given day and I am inspired to prepare a different combination of ...

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barbacoa de Borrego con Consome

Barbacoa de Borrego. Lamb Barbacoa!

Barbacoa! When I hear the word barbacoa, I instantly think of mom and dad. The countless hours, effort and time they dedicated to make a better life for their large family of eight kids. I always ...

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fresh chorizo links

Chorizo Norteño

Chorizo Norteño. You know how you have special food memories stuck in your head from years past? It keeps playing over and over in your mind. So much so, that you could see the images clearly, hear ...

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More Caldo De Res!

It's caldo season and I crave caldo de res at least once a week! I am a fan of the traditional caldo de res that mom prepared, but I do love adding my own twist now and then! Today's version of caldo ...

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pumpkin empanadas, plated

Pumpkin Empanadas

Pumpkin empanadas. One of my most cherished holiday memories is when I used to receive mom's care packages shipped all the way to New York during the holidays. Carefully packed away were empanadas de ...

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shredded beef tamal plated with salsa garnish

Shredded Beef Tamal

Shredded beef tamal(tamal de carne deshebrada). This carne deshebrada is based on my original recipe posted here on my blog. I enjoy it so much, that I knew it would make a delicious beef tamal! I ...

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Salsa

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Mariscos-Seafood

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