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I was thrilled to be asked to author the Pacific Coast Chapter of Mexico: From the Source – Authentic Recipes from the People that Know Them Best, the latest title in Lonely Planet‘s popular cookbook series.
I spent the better part of one fall season eating my way up the Pacific Coast of Mexico, exploring food markets, meeting chefs and hanging out in kitchens from Zihuatanejo to Mazatlan. It was all part of the process of working on a cookbook collection that has already featured the cuisines of Italy, Spain, France and Japan.
The cookbook has now been published so I was thrilled to get a hard copy in my hands this week. Mexico: From the Source is filled with exciting recipes, inspiration and behind-the-scene stories about local producers, traditions and chefs across Mexico. It’s organized into five sections:
Mexico City & Central Mexico
Oaxaca
Pacific Coast
Baja California
Yucatan
Each section presents 12 recipes straight from the kitchens where the dishes were perfected. There’s a delicious mix of dishes from appetizers to desserts with favourites such as fish tacos (Ensenada), chile en nogada (Puebla), aguachile (San Francisco, Nayarit), tortilla soup ( Oaxaca) and many more.
All recipes come beautifully photographed by Mexico City-based Lindsay Laukner Gundlock and were gathered by a talented collection of writers including Kate Armstrong, Kristin Diaz de Sandi, Scarlett Lindeman and John Hecht.
Within the Pacific Coast Chapter I authored, you’ll meet chefs such as Chef Marino Magano of Casa 46 in Mazatlan’s Historic Zone, Mavi Graf of Arte Culinario in Puerto Vallarta and celebrity chef Betty Vazquez of San Blas who is well known as the Culinary Ambassador for Riviera Nayarit and for her role as a judge on Master Chef Mexico.
For each recipe, you’ll learn about the chefs, the stories behind their dishes, their careers and experience.
Hotels Featured in Lonely Planet’s Mexico: From the Source
In the Lonely Planet cookbook, you’ll also discover fascinating new destinations to visit and beautiful hotels to stay at. There’s a range of accommodations for all budgets and travel styles from Puerto Vallarta to Tepic to Mazatlan, plus plenty of design inspiration. You can also check out my post on the Best Places to Eat in Puerto Vallarta Now.
For more information on where to stay in Mexico, did you know that you can get a Lonely Planet pdf free download or a Lonely Planet ebook free download?
Get details on how to get every Lonely Planet ebook free.
Chefs in Mexico: From the Source
In addition to the opportunity to explore a collection of hand-picked recipes from across Mexico– within the Pacific Coast Chapter of Mexico: From the Source you’ll find classics such as ceviche, aguachile, pozole and pescado zarandeado — you’ll meet some of Mexico’s most passionate and exciting cooks.
There is contact information for all of the chefs, their restaurants and recipe sources within the book.
I’d like to extend a special thanks to the talented chefs, producers and local contacts who generously shared their time, insights and recipes during this culinary adventure along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
I’m very grateful to Richard Zarkin, Gustavo Rivas, Julio Birrueta, Marian Gerlich, Mary van den Heuvel, Betty Vazquez and family, Catie Meyer, Mavi Graf, Lesley Peterson, Javier Sanchez, the many recipe testers and fellow contributors for your support, enthusiasm and dedication.
Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
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Anne Woodyard (@MusicandMarkets)
Kudos, Michelle! What a mouth-watering post about what I’m sure is a mouth-watering book!
Doreen Pendgracs
This looks like a super book, Michele! Congrats on being a contributor. It looks like a perfect gift book for anyone who loves to cook and loves to travel.
Donna Janke
Looks like a great book. It’s hard to pick just one Mexican dish favourite, although fish tacos come immediately to mind. I’m always ready to discover new recipes too.
Culture Tripper
Congratulations, Michele! The recipes sound delicious! What a handsome book, the photos are magnificent.
Doreen Pendgracs
Seeing as how Mexico grows such great cacao, I am assuming there are some great recipes containing chocolate? Would love to see a great mole recipe that I could easily make at home.
Marlene Cashin
The book looks fantastic! Fish tacos, especially in Los Cabos, make the top of the list of favourites.
Lushka Smith
I like many, but Tortilla soup came to mind first.
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
My favorite Mexican dish is the spectacular seasonal dish, chiles en Nogada, which I was lucky enough to enjoy at Bugambilia in San Miguel de Allende. I would so love to have that dish again, and I would definitely take a ton of photos if ever given this opportunity again.
Michele Peterson
Yes, that’s one of my favourite dishes too!
Pat Munro
The best Shrimp Tacos are at Hinde Jaimie’s in La Penita Riviera Nayarit!!
Michele Peterson
Thanks for the great tip! Definitely will put those on my list!
Mike Wilson
Fish Taco’s are great, however Fresh Tuna at the Vivo Resort in Puerto Escondido is amazing.
Michele Peterson
Will have to try their fresh tuna!
Lara Dunning
Congrats! This looks like a great cookbook and I love that it includes recipes and stories.
Cindy Ladage
How cool, congrats! I love the picture of the car. My favorite when in Mexico was tamales I sampled during a cooking class!
Kaylie
Oh my goodness I am obsessed with Mexican food.
Kaylie
Too quick submitting my comment by I love anything with chocolate mole sauce!
Sol Solntze
I spent a bit of time a couple of years ago learning how to make enchilladas from scratch. My problem is that I have never been anywhere near Mexico, so while I like them I have no idea how they are supposed to taste. I like a cookbook that is more than just recipes. This looks great.
Ruth
Oh my! This is so exciting! I will subscribe since I am into all things Mexico (it all started when I moved to Southern California). I would love to travel along the Pacific Coast tasting different dishes. I have been to Puebla, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Baja and the food always blows my mind. Congrats on this cookbook!
Ruth
Forgot to mention my favorite Mexican dish is enchiladas verdes (mole negro from Oaxaca is a close second).
Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Woo hoo! Congratulations! I love any dish that includes fish or seafood and also love avocados!
Azucena
Congratulations for this book! My favorite mexican dish is pozole!
Andrea
I love tacos!