Hispanic Heritage Month 2021 begins on Wednesday, September 15, and ends on October 15. There are many, many ways to show your appreciation for Hispanic culture and history. One of my suggestions is to support local businesses and artists! We should always be supporting our communities. Other ways are to commemorate fallen soldiers and truly recognize the many contributions Hispanic Americans have provided to build our country.
Let’s make a greater effort this month to uplift our Hispanic brothers and sisters during this celebration.
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Here at Cookbook Divas, we will be celebrating by bringing you our favorite Hispanic cookbooks.
These aren’t just ordinary cookbooks that showcase Hispanic flavors. Many of these cookbooks provide insight into the Hispanic cultures around the world. That means Caribbean, Latin, Central and South American, and other Spanish origin or cultures. Let’s take a look at some of the newer books that have come out.
Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia
Mariana Velásquez
Mariana Velásquez is a native of Bogata, Colombia. In the Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia cookbook we learn about all the regional cuisine in this gorgeous country. Mariana says, “More is more” when discussing Colombian food.
She shares classic and contemporary Colombian recipes. Some examples are arepas and empanadas. There are also recipes for gazpacho, arroz atollado de pato, and cocktail de pina y cidron.
One thing I appreciate about this cookbook is the photography. It is gorgeous! Not only that, but Mariana gives us a glimpse into Colombian culture. From the streets of Bogata to a Colombian tablescape, we are immersed in the culture.
Come take a look!
The Food of Oaxaca: Recipes and Stories from Mexico’s Culinary Capital
by Alejandro Ruiz + Carla Altesor
I’ve been waiting to get my hands on this cookbook for a while! It is quite popular.
The Food of Oaxaca: Recipes and Stories from Mexico’s Culinary Capital is divided into 3 parts: The classic dishes of the region, the cuisine of the coast, and the food Ruiz serve today at his beloved restaurant, Casa Oaxaca.
There are gorgeous pictures that showcase the streets of Oaxaca and food.
This cookbook provides thoughtful essays on dishes, ingredients, kitchen tools, and traditions around Oaxaca. We are even given recommendations on where to eat if you ever visit.
Mexican American food as we know it has a foundation in Oaxaca. They have seven different kinds of mole, their own “Mexican pizza”, and eating chapulines (grasshoppers) is becoming popular in the States. The Food of Oaxaca: Recipes and Stories from Mexico’s Culinary Capital presents a great learning experience.
The Easy Puerto Rican Cookbook: 100 Classic Recipes Made Simple
by Tony Rican
I remember visiting Puerto Rico when I was a child and found it fascinating. Not only that, I have Puerto Rican friends that have a lot of pride in their people and country. I want to visit again and learn more about the history and culture. Of course, I want to experience Puerto Rican cookery.
In The Easy Puerto Rican Cookbook: 100 Classic Recipes Made Simple we get many staple recipes. This includes Chicharrón de Cerdo (Fried Pork Belly), Mojo Criollo (Garlic Marinade), and Pique (Puerto Rican Hot Sauce). I can make everything at home!
This cookbook specializes in creating traditional Puerto Rican recipes. This includes all the delicious flavors and spices you would find in the country.
I appreciate the introduction of this cookbook where Tony Rican explains the history of Puerto Rico. By making and eating his national food, we can understand the culture a bit more.
The Chilean Kitchen: 75 Seasonal Recipes for Stews, Breads, Salads, Cocktails, Desserts, and More
by Pilar Hernandez + Eileen Smith
The Chilean Kitchen: 75 Seasonal Recipes for Stews, Breads, Salads, Cocktails, Desserts, and More is a fantastic cookbook. The photography features all the gorgeous Chilean food you can create at home. This cookbook, in particular, appeals to me because I’ve never made Chilean cuisine. It looks phenomenal!
The recipes are organized by season. That’s because seasonal cooking is the foundation of Chilean dishes. That means there’s a chapter for fall, winter, summer, and spring. In addition, there is a fifth chapter for La Once or tea time. Here are some examples of recipes you will find – Grilled steak soup, Tomato shrimp stew, Pickled chicken thighs, and more.
Pilar Hernandez describes Chile as a place where language, food, and culture are interwoven. Learning about Chilean food is the gateway to Chilean culture!
Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America
Maricel E. Presilla
Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America is not new, but it is a classic. This cookbook unifies the vast culinary landscape of the Latin world, from Mexico to Argentina and all the Spanish-speaking countries of the Caribbean. I adore how this cookbook celebrates Hispanic Heritage!
Author Maricel E. Presilla gives us fantastic 500 recipes,. There are variations on adobos and sofritos to empanadas and tamales to ceviches and moles to sancocho. There are even desserts like flan and tres leches cake.
Each chapter focuses on a particular ingredient. Some examples are quinoa, tropical roots and starchy vegetables, poultry, meat, rice, salads, and more. This makes Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America very easy to navigate.
My favorite part this cookbook is that Maricel E. Presilla is a historian and restaurateur. She holds a doctorate in medieval Spanish history. In addition to her degree, she personally has visited thirty Latin countries to give us a comprehensive guide on Hispanic culture based in food.
World Food: Mexico City: Heritage Recipes for Classic Home Cooking [A Mexican Cookbook]
James Oseland
Overall, I am very excited about James Oseland’s World Food cookbook series! He uses cookbooks as a platform to take you on a journey to the world’s greatest cuisines and their cultures they originate from. World Food: Mexico City: Heritage Recipes for Classic Home Cooking [A Mexican Cookbook] is the first in the series.
The publisher states, “This definitive and beautiful user’s guide unlocks the secrets to real Mexican cuisine with more than fifty authentic, reliable recipes, while the compelling stories and photography tell the tale of the vibrant culinary capital of Latin America.”
The most notable thing about this cookbook is how many gorgeous photos there are. I see over 150 full page photos that showcase the glory of Mexican culture. It’s quite stunning!
Pati Jinich Treasures of the Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets
by Pati Jinich
I wrote about this cookbook in our blog post about celebrity cookbooks in Fall 2021. I want to mention it again, because Pati Jinich Treasures of the Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets is fairly new and perfect for Hispanic Heritage month.
Pati Jinich explains that Mexican cuisine is more than the ten staples most Americans know of. There is a whole plethora of flavors, textures, and ingredients from Mexico that many of us have not experienced. Pati Jinich Treasures of the Mexican Table: Classic Recipes, Local Secrets cookbook reveals these traditional dishes.
A lot of these dishes have been passed down multiple generations. Each recipes comes a story that illustrates the deep history of Mexico. The dish is an entry to explore local Mexican fare from region to region. You’ll discover that each place has it’s own special recipe to share.
I hope that these cookbooks entice you to explore the wonders of Hispanic food. There are noticeable flavors, techniques, and textures we utilize in our cuisine that has been influenced by Hispanic culture. You will learn how Latin cuisine has been pivotal throughout the world!
~Kaiti