I’ve had a near lifelong passion for the culture and cuisine of our Southern neighbors. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed many of the native “peasant-style” dishes that include fried corn tortillas; roasted chilies; and traditional herbs and spices like cilantro, garlic cumin, and chipotle. I remember them so vividly.

Those early memories inspired me to embark on my own Mexican sojourn. For a brief time, I worked in Cancun at the Camino Real Hotel, part of the Westin Hotel Chain. The new island’s development was in its infancy back then. The “food chains” and “spring breakers” hadn’t arrived, and you could actually believe you were in Mexico.

I learned a dish or two there as well, some from the Mayans whose ancestral home is the Yucatan Peninsula where Cancun is located.

What I learned the most in all of those experiences is what I’ll share with you: Like ALL cuisines, the best dishes are often super fresh and simple. It’s why they last for centuries. It’s what makes them become part of the culture, part of the fabric of their heritage.

Look for ingredients and components made by natives (like Nino’s Corn Tortilla Chips), which we fry from tortillas made right in our Mexican Village. Always use the freshest produce, herbs, meats and dairy products. And keep it simple, rough chopped and “under-processed.” It’s not complicated. In fact, it’s everything but (which sometimes makes it complicated because WE tend get in the way of that on occasion).

Among my most favorite dishes is Chilaquiles, which is a peasant-style casserole dish using corn tortilla chips; pulled, cooked chicken; cheese; chilies; and cream.  It goes well with black beans braised in a chicken broth and seasoned with cumin and chilies, and it’s very simple to make.

And speaking of our GREAT corn tortilla chips, I have a few more great recipes that use our tortilla chips RIGHT HERE.

If you aren’t in the mood to cook but would still like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or just enjoy the flavors of Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine, we have a number of other delicious dishes and products in Nino’s Gourmet to Go Department, including:

● Chicken Enchilada Casserole
● Chicken Quesadillas
● Beef & Chicken Fajitas
Disfrutar de su Cocina. Buen Apetito!