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Mexicocina: The Spirit and
Style of the Mexican Kitchen, with fabulous photographs by Melba Levick and text by yours truly, was published by
Chronicle Books in September 2006.
While our original vision was to feature about twenty kitchens, each with
its own chapter, reality hit quickly and the book grew almost overnight
into what you see now: a dazzling variety of over forty glorious kitchens
from all parts of Mexico.
Chapters clearly organize this wide array into
manageable categories: kitchens with a shared design aspect—talavera tile, islands, small spaces, or kitchens with
a common theme—artists’ kitchens, cooking school kitchens, historic
kitchens.
Each chapter also features a recipe, which allowed me
to share the exciting culinary ideas of talented friends like Diana Kennedy
(Ever tried guacamole with pomegranate seeds?) and Lisa Gahafer
(Don’t miss her recipe for the world’s best flan), as well as some of my
own, like Brie Quesadillas with Fresh Fruit Salsa.
You’ll also find a Travel Resource Guide that lists
some of my favorite inns, tour guides, and museum kitchens to visit during
your own travels in Mexico, and I also included a Design Resource Guide to
provide readers direct access to the many talented artisans and
manufacturers of the tile, furniture, ironwork, ceramics, folk art, and
more that is featured in the book.
!Buen Provecho!
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CLICK HERE to order a copy now.
Wherever you are, Mexicocina is likely on the
shelves at your local bookstore, and if it’s not, it should be! Click here to find
a store near you. If they don’t have it in stock, just ask them to order it
for you. (Go, independent booksellers!).
Or click here to order Mexicocina
from The Big Guy.
In the Santa Cruz area, Mexicocina is available at
Bookshop Santa Cruz, the Capitola Book Café, Alma Gifts,
Chefworks, and Bunny’s
Too.
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Chronicle
Books says…
In the tradition of the best-selling Mexicolor and Mexicasa, Melba
Levick’s stunning photographs and Betsy McNair's
informative text reveal the blend of native tradition, Old
World ornamentation, and contemporary innovation that is the
Mexican kitchen.
Mexicocina takes you behind the doors of private
homes, museums, resorts, and cooking schools for an insider's tour of the
kitchens of Mexico.
Awash in bright colors and bold designs, each kitchen features traditional
Mexican artistry flavored with the owners' distinctive style. Here,
stainless steel meets colorful talavera
tile, and the humble comal griddle is as
essential as today’s shiny appliance. Priceless collections of ceramics sit
side-by-side with everyday dishware. And San Pasqual Bailón,
the patron saint of cooks and kitchens, blesses every last handmade copper
kettle, clay pot, and wooden spoon.
Mexicocina tantalizes more than just the eyes,
featuring mouth-watering recipes for Mexican dishes, from guacamole with
peaches and pomegranates to chile-scented
chocolate truffles. Inspiration abounds in these kitchens, whether you're
decorating a kitchen, planning a trip, or just dreaming of the rich aroma
of café de olla, Mexicocina takes you into
the heart of the Mexican home, la cocina.
Readers’ Reviews…
"As a traveler who has been fortunate enough to
experience lots of Mexican feasts in many a cocina, I found this book to bring back happy memories of many
fantastic meals and parties. The photographs are lovely and Ms. McNair's
descriptions bring each one to life. I especially liked that many recipes
are included, including one for chiles en nogada, for which I have been searching for an
authentic recipe! Highly recommended for anyone who has an affinity for all
things Mexican, especially the heart of the home!"
"The
pictures are glorious and the text is very well written, concise and
informative. I have traveled to many of these kitchens with Betsy McNair
and it's like taking the tour all over again. There's no better guide to Mexico than
Ms. McNair. She really knows the history and the people. If you can't go
with her in person then the book is the next best thing."
”My husband
and I are building a new home in Mexico and wanted to make sure we kept it
as authentic as possible. This particular book is filled with spectacular photos
of Mexican kitchens. Each page is filled with building ideas as well as
decorating inspirations. Who would have thought of collecting beautifully
carved wooden spoons for a wall display! The author includes much narrative
explaining background of the kitchens and various decorations/selections,
as well as history. Everyone will enjoy the brilliant colors and artwork as
each page is turned."
"I am
really pleased with this book. I'm always looking for design inspiration,
and this one is loaded. This is a nice, fat book with lots of close ups of
individual elements from each kitchen, including spectacular Mexican arts
and crafts, that contribute to the whole. In addition to the design
information, there are 12 recipes…that I can't wait to try! In the back of
the book are three packed pages of references, including website
addresses…and sources for some of the materials pictured. Unlike most
design books, which I leaf through, I read this one cover-to-cover the day
it arrived and left it handy for future reference."
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HOME
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ABOUT MMT
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TOURS
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BETSY
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CONTACT
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MY MEXICO TOURS
BOX 2457
SANTA CRUZ, CA
95063
831.476.9693 BETSY@MYMEXICOTOURS.COM
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