"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!"

Mexicocina

Mexicocina: The Spirit and Style of the Mexican Kitchen
with fabulous photographs by Melba Levick and my text, 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 organize this wide array into manageable categories: kitchens with a shared design aspect like talavera tile, islands, small spaces, or kitchens with a common theme such as 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.

Some folks simply need an hour or three of travel consulting, which we can do in person, over the phone, or via the internet.

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.

I'm very proud of Mexicocina, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed creating it.

To order a signed copy of Mexicocina email Betsy@mymexicotours.com.


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 a sleek 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.

Reader's are saying…

"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...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."

"The pictures are glorious and the text is very well written, concise and informative. I have traveled to many of these kitchens with Betsy 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."

"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… I read this one cover-to-cover the day it arrived and left it handy for future reference."