Carne de Res (Beef) en Salsa Verde: General Guidelines for the Intuitive Cook

This dish was inspired by the amazing pork in salsa verde that we had for breakfast at Fonda Margarita in Mexico City. I wanted to try and capture that elusive blend of tart and tangy and spicy heat that hit my tongue with each revelatory slurp of sauce. In other words, I had my work cut out for me.

Now, I am not going to try and tell you that my version is just like the dish that inspired it. I think you can only hope to achieve that depth of flavor if you're willing to get up at 1 a.m. to cook bubbling cazuelas of the stuff every single day. And it probably doesn't hurt to have a Mexican mother, grandmother or auntie (or father, grandfather or uncle!) to pass along some family secrets, either. Alas, the extent of my family culinary secrets begins and ends with a cheese sandwich (albeit a really good one).

The Street Foods of Mexico City: Don't Be Afraid, Just Eat It.

Ready to devour the tacos al pastor at El Huequito

Most mainstream guidebooks and Web sites about visiting Mexico City contain dire warnings against eating the street food. These admonitions are often panicked in tone: "Do not, under any circumstances, eat anything from a street vendor! Ever! Stay away!"

What a shame.

I cannot imagine walking by all of the glorious stands filled with beautiful tacos, papas, tortas, tlacoyos, and more - and not ever tasting one single thing. And I don't think you can get a true culinary picture of the city and its vibrant culture without experiencing the joys of street eating. Now, I am not suggesting that you eat anything you please, from any stand that strikes your fancy. Just like anywhere else, in Mexico City most food providers adhere to acceptable or even exemplary standards of hygiene, while a minority of others most definitely do not.

Fondas, Cocinas, and Cafes: Casual Dining in Mexico City

On top of the world in Mexico City's Centro Historico 

Mexico City is one of the world's great affordable culinary destinations, a mecca for those of us whose voracious appetites and appreciation for fine food are much, much deeper than our wallets. But I must humbly bow my head and admit that, alas, I did not manage to go everywhere, see everything, or eat all of the things I wanted. Not even close. But I tried. Oh believe me, I tried.

And so, after going through the 900-plus photos that  I took, for my first (of many!) trip posts I settled on a recap of the casual sit-down eateries we visited. (Except for one that deserves a post all its own. Later. ) I will try not to be too wordy, as I know that most of you are here to look at the pretty pictures. I totally understand.

Sopa Azteca: Another Post About Soup

Here I am, back from Mexico City: exhausted, a little bit flu-ey, besieged by a hacking cough, nearly voiceless, and desperately behind in just about every aspect of my life. Typical post-vacation scenario.

Yes, it was amazing and beautiful and delicious and hectic and kind of overwhelming and wonderful. I have so many thoughts to gather and photos to look at and memories to replay that I am just not up to tackling my first recap post yet, though there will be many forthcoming, I assure you.

So instead, I bring you soup.

Hot Dog, Cheddar Cheese, & Chive Cake Salé with Tarragon Chive Butter for the Five Star Junk Food Makeover Challenge

When this posts Poppa Trix and I will be on holiday in Mexico City, sipping tequila at a cantina or enjoying a leisurely comida.  I look forward to catching up when we return!

I almost didn't show up for this month's Five Star Makeover Challenge, hosted as ever by the talented Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and Lazaro of Lazaro Cooks! It's not that I don't like the theme - using your favorite junk food and elevating it in a new dish - it's just that, as I've said here before, I am feeling rather "meh" lately. I expect that my trip to Mexico City will breathe some new life into me!

Plus, I don't really eat what most people would consider junk food. It's not that I don't love me a bag of chips, but the fact is, generally speaking I'm not going to waste my calories on that. It takes too long to work it off. Butter? Yes. Cheese? Definitely. A slice of pizza? Oh, hell yeah.

Ham and Emmenthal Fluffy Tart, a Trixified Cousin of the Souffle, for a (Sort of) French Friday with Dorie

I know this isn't the exact recipe for this week's French Fridays with Dorie dish - a classic cheese souffle - but it's a close cousin. It's not that I have anything against souffles, mind you; in fact, I am a huge fan. I've made them in the past, as I'm sure many of you have, and I agree with Dorie that their difficulty level is highly overstated.

That said, I have been following recipes to the letter lately as part of the Joy the Baker cook off that I recently participated in, and this has left me itching to experiment a bit. And so I decided to try a fluffy tart.

Pecan Pralines and a Review of the Joy the Baker Cookbook

This post is part of the Joy the Baker Cookbook Spotlight and Cook Off, hosted by Heather at Girlichef and sponsored by Hyperion, who provided participants with a complimentary copy of the book. 

For the past month, I have been participating in the Joy the Baker Cookbook Cook Off and Spotlight hosted by Heather at Girlichef. Each week, along with 20-odd other bloggers, I made a recipe from the book.

Mujaddara, My Way

Every year about this time it happens: I get uninspired. Blah. My cooking falls into a bit of a rut. I blog half heartedly and irregularly. Instead of my usual full-speed-ahead approach, I find myself moving in slow motion.  In other words, I get a bit burned out.

Luckily I have a holiday coming up - more details later! - and I am trying to let the anticipation breathe some life into me. It's working, a little.

Another thing that works? This dish. It is the perfect thing to make when you want something simple and unfussy that's still flavorful and filling. It's comforting and homemade, and there will be leftovers so you won't have to think about the next day's meal. Best of all, I can make this on autopilot - and everyone needs a few dishes like that in their repertoire, especially when inspiration is elusive.

Lavender Lemon Bars for the Joy the Baker Cookbook Spotlight and Cook Off

This post is part of the Joy the Baker Cookbook Spotlight and Cook Off, hosted by Heather at Girlichef and sponsored by Hyperion, who provided participants with a complimentary copy of the book. 

It's week 3 in the Joy the Baker Cookbook Spotlight, the week I've been waiting for: Blogger's Choice. For the past two weeks, my fellow participants in the cook off and I have been baking a selection of recipes from the Joy the Baker Cookbook (just released!) chosen by our hostess, Heather at Girlichef.

You may recall that I've tried my hand at the chocolate fudge brownies, flax seed crackers, and mini chamomile cakes. They've all been a smashing success, but I have been itching to pick whatever I want from the book. And the choice was a no-brainer: these lavender lemon bars. Surprised I didn't choose one of the book's savory dishes when I had the chance? Well, I'm tricky like that.

Mini Beetroot Crepes Stuffed with Arugula, Goat Cheese & Ground Pistachio for the February 5 Star Makeover

The subject of this month's Five Star Makeover  - hosted as ever by the talented duo of Natasha of 5 Star Foodie and Lazaro of Lazaro Cooks! - is beets, an ingredient with endless possibilities if ever there was one. In fact, so many ideas popped into my head for this month's challenge I had a tough time choosing which dish to make.