Trejo’s Tacos: Recipes & Stories from L.A.

Instantly recognizable as a menacing bad guy in over 300 films and TV shows, actor Trejo is also an L.A. restaurateur, and here he presents excellent recipes from his Trejo’s Tacos restaurants. Trejo begins with advice for stocking a Mexican pantry, then offers traditional recipes based on key ingredients that can be used in tacos, burritos, or rice bowls—including Barbacoa brisket, carne asada (as well as a mushroom version), carnitas, and grilled chicken. For those wanting to expand their taco repertoire, Trejo offers inventive riffs on such fillings as falafel, roasted cauliflower, beer-battered fish, grilled spicy shrimp, and even a chicken tikka. He rounds out the collection with sauces (chipotle shrimp cocktail sauce), sides (cotija and chile mashed potatoes), and desserts (nacho donuts, made with cheddar cheese and poblano chiles), as well as a variety of margaritas. Trejo keeps the sourcing and prep to a minimum while coaxing maximum flavor out of each dish, making the food approachable for home cooks of all abilities. This fiendishly creative collection is a must-have for taco lovers. (Apr.)