Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico: A Cookbook

"An enticing, regional, and stunning exploration of Mexican cuisine from beloved food writer and host of Food52's "Sweet Heat" series, Rick Martinez. In his first, much-anticipated cookbook, New York Times contributor, Food52 columnist, and former Bon Appâetit food editor Rick Martinez introduces home cooks to the diverse culinary treasures of Mexico. In Mi Cocina, 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. He delivers recipes based on his favorite home-tested version of each dish, veering from tradition when inspired-- like in the Tlayuda con Tasajo in which a flank steak is marinated with miso paste before being grilled and added to a large tostada topped with refried beans and queso Oaxaca. Rick always keeps accessibility in mind when speaking to the availability of ingredients such as chiles, spices, and herbs-he often calls for or talks about what is traditional and provides substitutions and replacements when needed. In addition to the captivating recipes, Rick includes essays on topics like the migration and culinary influence of people from the Middle East and China to Mexico, and his experiences of finding welcomeness, support, and a feeling of belonging in his new home in Mazatlâan. The collective result is touching, transportive, and delicious"--

Biographical Note:
Rick Martínez is the host of the companion video series Mi Cocina and Sweet Heat, both on the Food52 YouTube channel and Pruébalo on the Babish Culinary Universe channel. He cohosts the Borderline Salty podcast with Carla Lalli Music, is a regular contributor The New York Times, and teaches live, weekly cooking classes for the Food Network Kitchen. He currently resides in Mazatlán with his dog, Choco, where he cooks, eats, and enjoys the Mexican Pacific coast.

Publisher Marketing:
NEW YORK TIMES AND LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER - A highly personal love letter to the beauty and bounty of México in more than 100 transportive recipes, from the beloved food writer and host of the Babish Culinary Universe show Pruébalo on YouTube and Food52's Sweet Heat

"This intimate look at a country's cuisine has as much spice as it does soul."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) 

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED COOKBOOKS OF 2022--Time, Food52

Join Rick Martínez on a once-in-a-lifetime culinary journey throughout México that begins in Mexico City and continues through 32 states, in 156 cities, and across 20,000 incredibly delicious miles. In Mi Cocina, Rick shares deeply personal recipes as he re-creates the dishes and specialties he tasted throughout his journey. Inspired by his travels, the recipes are based on his taste memories and experiences. True to his spirit and reflective of his deep connections with people and places, these dishes will revitalize your pantry and transform your cooking repertoire. 

Highlighting the diversity, richness, and complexity of Mexican cuisine, he includes recipes like herb and cheese meatballs bathed in a smoky, spicy chipotle sauce from Oaxaca called Albóndigas en Chipotle; northern México's grilled Carne Asada that he stuffs into a grilled quesadilla for full-on cheesy-meaty food euphoria; and tender sweet corn tamales packed with succulent shrimp, chiles, and roasted tomatoes from Sinaloa on the west coast. Rick's poignant essays throughout lend context--both personal and cultural--to quilt together a story that is rich and beautiful, touching and insightful.