Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor

Drawing from their successful blog of the same name, Texan matriarch Soza and daughters Marquez-Sharpnack and Gonzalez-Smith share over 100 Mexican recipes%E2%80%94many of which the trio attributes to Soza's mother, Jesusita%E2%80%94in this informative and accessible collection. Featuring the requisite basics like red chili sauce, Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and homemade corn or flour tortillas, the book is categorized according to generations: Jesusita's "old-world" recipes from Northern Mexico, like beef tongue or asado de chile Colorado, are imparted via her daughter; Soza provides plenty of "south of the border home-style dishes," such as green chiles with beef and potatoes; and Marquez-Sharpnack and Gonzalez-Smith offer Latin fusion selections, including everything from poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and shrimp to sweet fried bread smothered in caramel, mangos, and strawberries. But any Mexican cookbook would be incomplete without tacos and margaritas%E2%80%94accordingly, the ladies supply several options, such as tacos made with beef brisket or pork rinds, and a suite of margaritas made with blood oranges, cranberries, or persimmon. Though certainly accessible to those unaccustomed to Mexican cooking%E2%80%94dishes like a mango, jicama, and cucumber salad or the pan-fried tilapia topped with mango and avocado salsa are remarkably simple to prepare%E2%80%94those looking to expand their Mexican culinary repertoire will likely get the most out of this creative and flavorful cookbook. Photos. (Sept.)