Cooking the Borderlands: Spice and Smoke Between Mexico and the States by Claudette Zepeda

A culinary journey along the Mexican American border, telling the story of its intertwined cultures and communities with more than 100 vibrant, flavor-packed recipes from Top Chef star, Iron Chef Mexico finalist, and Tijuana-San Diego border kid Claudette Zepeda. The Mexican American border has been an inflamed political focal point within the US; at the same time, Mexican food has long been the most popular “ethnic” cuisine in America. A child of the border herself, Claudette Zepeda grew up in both California and Mexico and sees the border as a vibrant, vital, and unique cultural and culinary place. A gifted storyteller and chef, Claudette’s recipes and ruminations humanize border culture through 100 accessible and beloved dishes such as: • Coahuila’s Esquites (Street Corn) • Las Calandrias Caballitos (Chicken Sopes) • Arroz Poblano (Poblano Pepper Creamy Rice) • Camarones al Ajillo (Baja Style Garlic Shrimp) • Capirotada (Bread Pudding) This is a story of a personal and culinary identity that formed betwixt two cultures, told through recipes, anecdotes, and an irreverent sense of humor. Read more

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