Rice & Grains

I wanted to try to incorporate masa into as many dishes as I could at Xilonen, and at the time the pancakes were the only menu item that did not include masa. I love the floral notes that fresh masa adds to any dish. In the end, this became one of my favorite dishes at the restaurant. When shopping for gluten-free flour for this brunch recipe, make sure to buy one that lists xanthan gum as one of its ingredients. These are usually indicated as cup-for-cup or one-to-one type flours. The xanthan g.…

Made with water, milk, or a combination, the beverage is also made with ground toasted corn, fermented corn, rice, oatmeal, or mature corn cooked in ashes.

These griddled masa disks get a little crispy on the edges but stay tender on the inside. Top them with black beans, salsa, and queso fresco or any other toppings you love.

The salty cheese and piloncillo makes these gorditas go wonderfully with a hot chocolate or champurrado.

Tlacoyos are small, flat patties about the size of your hand, made from corn masa that’s been stuffed with mashed beans, requesón (a salty, spreadable cheese similar to ricotta) or fava beans, and cooked crisp on a comal. Once you leave Mexico City, tlacoyos take on other shapes and names. In some areas of Puebla, for instance, they’re called tlayoyos.    For a long time, my tlacoyo dream was to find a mayora—an older, respected Mexican cook—who could teach me how to make them. In 2013, I finally was able to learn with Señora Rosa Peña Sotres, who graciously invited me into her home and spent a full Sunday teaching me patiently how to stuff and fold. “Ya aprendió!” (You’ve learned!), she declared, as I placed a small, misshapen tlacoyito on her charcoal-fired comal.    Patting them out by hand isn’t easy if you’re a beginner, but you’ll get it down with practice. It’s fun to gather a group of friends and make them con calma (Spanish for “without hurry”), particularly if someone brings the ready-made masa. Don’t skimp on the garnishes. If you can’t find cactus, which Latino supermarkets generally stock, try shredded raw cabbage or carrots.

These extra-thick cousins of the tortilla are toasted on a comal or griddle and split open before they’re stuffed with a wide array of flavorful fillings.

Though the amount of salt may seem excessive, a lot of the salt will be lost when the mixture is steamed inside the tamal wrapping. You can reduce the amount somewhat, but remember that the particular flavor of masa in tamales is complemented by salt.

The double-flip method makes the tortillas puff beautifully once you get the rhythm.

Barley flour, cornmeal, and a hint of grapefruit juice make this easy pie crust extra flavorful. Try it with this Blueberry-Nectarine Lattice Pie.