Mexican food is delicious, but bringing the recipes to your own kitchen may be tricky. We all love hitting a Mexican restaurant, big or small, and noshing on enchiladas and fajitas and washing it all down with a margarita. Whether you’re looking to throw a fiesta for a special occasion or just want to bring Mexican food home to shake your nightly dinners, these blogs will help you gather the right ingredients and perfect your technique when cooking up something spicy.
Blogs and Sites for Learning About Mexican Food
Cooking is great because it allows you to bring a new culture into your home without spending a bundle. Learn about the history of Mexican food, its ingredients and the origin of staple dishes with these blog posts and websites.
1. Nathan’s Comida : Nathan’s blog will make you want to get to the market and back in your kitchen ASAP! We love it because Nathan gives a backstory to many of the dishes he grew up with and explains how his grandmother makes food and why. The blog has a healthy mix of Mexican, Cuban and Spanish recipes.
2. Big Soccer Forum – Understanding Mexican Cuisine : This is merely a thread at a soccer forum, but it’s packed with information on Mexican and Tex-Mex food and the differences between the two.
3. Frontera Fiesta : This blog is created by the folks at Frontera Fiesta. It shares recipes and talks about how to entertain with traditional Mexican food.
4. Food Virgin – Mexican : The Food Virgin is an adventurous blogger who explores new foods for the first time. Read up on how to order Mexican food if it’s your first time dining on the (sometimes) spicy fare.
5. Mexicoetal : This is one of the best online food stores for sourcing ingredients for Mexican food that you may not be able to find in your local grocery store, depending on where you live. Plus, if you see an ingredient that piques your interest, you can always do a Google search to find a recipe to try.
6. Mexican Wave – Food : Learn interesting facts about Mexican food and the history behind some of the most popular Mexican dishes nearly all of us enjoy.
7. Mouthfuls Food Forum – The Mexican Cooking Project : Many Mexican Cooking Project threads have been started at this popular foodie forum. Folks share their tips, suggestions and alterations to creating classic Mexican recipes at home.
8. Interesting Mexican Cooking Facts : Learn how some ingredients became staples in Mexican cooking and examines some of the common spices used.
9. Lo Mexicano – A (Relatively) Short History of Mexican Food : This condensed guide gives you everything you need to know about the history of Mexican food. It has surprising facts that will be fun to share with fellow cooks and foodies in your circle.
10. Alegria in Mexico : Cooks will love this blog because it features great Mexican recipes, but also goes behind the dish to reveal the history and role it plays in the Mexican culture. Blogged by a writer based in Mexico City, it doesn’t get more authentic than this.
11. Rancho Gordo : This well-known blog is a go-to for those looking to learn about Mexican food and how to cook it. The web store is a great place to visit for finding hard-to-find ingredients and the company’s famous heirloom beans.
12. Rachel Laudan : This writer discusses two things – food and politics. It’s an interesting niche subject that foodies will appreciate learning when whipping up Mexican food.
13. Mexico Soul and Essence : Learn the rich history of Mexican food and the new places that the country’s gastronomy movement is going. Like other parts of the world, they’re focusing on locally grown and seasonal ingredients.
14. Slow Food : This site teaches us the beauty of waiting for good things to come. The purpose of the site is to give readers lessons on food and food production from all over the world, including Mexico.
15. Good Food Mexico City : This blogger takes you to the capital of Mexico with his food picks and also offers tips on how to shop for Mexican ingredients
Mexican Cooking Blogs
These cooking blogs are devoted to Mexican cuisine. With these blogs, you’ll learn how to create the perfect verde sauce and how long to cook caldo that will impress guests.
16. Gusta Usted : This site is penned in Spanish, but Google Translator will take care of that if you can’t read the language. It’s authentic Mexican and Spanish cuisine with yummy recipes like chiles rellenos.
17. Mexican Food Lovers : This site doesn’t update often, but the archives provide fantastic tips for cooking Mexican food. Check out the blog post over a traditional Mexican holiday for innovative entertaining ideas.
18. Cooking in Mexico Authentic recipes that will make your mouth water can be found at this Mexican cooking blog. While some of the ingredients may be difficult to source, they’ll definitely be worth tracking down once you take a look at what can be done with them.
19. Mexico Cooks : This blog is reinventing Mexican cooking with interesting combinations, but also reverts back to the classics and shows you how to do the same. A great cook is always learning and re-examining dishes, which makes this blog one of the best resources for learning about Mexican food.
20. Recipe Reviews – Mexican for Everyday by Rick Bayless : This blogger spent much of 2009 working their way through this Mexican cook book. There are plenty of images and the blogger discusses how easy or difficult a recipe was to pull off.
21. The Dining Diva – Mexico : This blogger focuses on travel to Mexico and Mexican cuisine much of the time. Enjoy her fabulous stories over the Aztecs and extensive history lessons on certain Mexican dishes that incorporate traditional Spanish ingredients like olives and capers.
22. Cooking Mexican Recipes : This site brings all of your classic Mexican food and drink recipes to one place, making it your first stop when entertaining with Mexican cuisine. Learn how to create the perfect margarita and enchilada sauce.
23. About Mexican Food : This About site gives you a look at Mexican food recipes you can try at home. Some are fit for a beginner cook, while others require someone who knows what they’re doing in the kitchen.
24. Married to a Mexican : This darling blogger makes YouTube videos to give us further instruction on how to create Mexican cake and pumpkin flan. The videos are easy to follow and provide plenty of takeaway information you can use in all of your cooking.
25. Theresa Cooks : This blogger no longer updates, but the recipes that are left will help you in your Mexican cooking ventures. One of our favorite recipes is spiced cauliflower, which is easy to make as a new side your family isn’t used to.
26. Emerils – Mexican Food : Emeril and his blogging team know food. At this blog they share food of all types, but the recipes and food experiences will make you eager to experiment with new ingredients commonly found in Mexican food.
27. Examiner – Mexican Food in Chicago : This writer knows the ins-and-outs of finding Mexican food in the windy city and also breaks down how to use various ingredients in Mexican cooking.
28. Mexican Foodie : At this site you’ll find endless recipes for cooking Mexican food, such as fajita marinades and basic red salsa.
29. Mexican Food Recipes : This well organized blog gives you tips on creating classic Mexican food and has plenty of easy recipes for beginners.
Fajita Recipes
Get your kitchen sizzling with these fajita recipes that can be made for a family dinner or a big party with friends.
30. All Recipes – Fajita Marinade This fajita marinade is a classic, especially if you’re into Tex-Mex cuisine. It incorporates lime, garlic and it’s a winner every time.
31. Building Bodies – Chicken Fajitas : Even those watching their waistlines can indulge in this healthy fajita recipe that is low in fat and heavy in flavor.
32. Fajita Recipe – Vegetarian Tricolor Fajita : The smoky flavor means even vegetarians can enjoy”fajitas,” since the right seasonings and grilling technique make veggies flavorful.
33. Big Oven – Fajita Seasoning : If you’re strapped for ingredients, you’re bound to have these basic spices in your cupboard for creating a simple fajita seasoning that’s a hit.
34. About Southern Cooking – Chicken Fajitas : This marinade is great for those who prefer chicken to beef when cooking fajitas. While you can the fajitas in tacos, they also spice up a basic sandwich.
Taco Recipes
If your tacos are getting boring, consider trying these recipes that will add some zip to your week night dinner staple.
35. Fish Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce : These fish tacos are ideal for munching on a hot summer day with a cold beer in hand.
36. Mex-Recipes – Beef Taco Recipe : This classic beef taco recipe works with spices and nothing comes from a jar, giving the tacos an authentic flavor your family will love.
37. Tastebook – Brian’s Classic Tacos : These tacos incorporate olives and bell pepper for dimension without any heavy spicy factor.
38. Taco Recipes – Carne Asada : This traditional Mexican dish gives you beef that is ridiculously tender and juicy, giving you little need for a slue of garnishes.
39. ChowHound – Frying Corn Tortillas : Tips for getting the perfect fried corn tortilla that won’t fall apart or end up with those crispy edges we all detest.
Mexican Soup and Stew Recipes
These Mexican soup and stew recipes can simmer all day and only get better with time. Best of all, you can whip up a big pot and it can feed a small army throughout the week.
40. Cooks Caldo de Pollo : This traditional soup is a staple in many Mexican households. It’s cheap, easy to make and is quite nutritious when you break down the ingredients.
41. All Recipes – Caldo de Res : This beef soup gets its flavor from simmering for a couple of hours. Feel free to throw in whatever veggies you have on hand or prefer to eat.
42. Group Recipes – Fideo Authentic Mexican Pasta : Fideo is a very, very thin pasta that is done in a tomato sauce that more resembles soup than a sauce consistency. It’s full of flavor and simple to make.
43. Cooking Nook – Taco Soup : This taco soup recipe is a winner among kids, making it your go-to recipe for picky eaters. It’s also a smart way to develop a child’s palette to get used to new flavors. Cooking Nook also offers a section dedicated to mexican recipes.
44. Cooks – Mexican Tortilla Soup : Swap your Sunday night chili for this fantastic tortilla soup that is just as filling with a spicy warmth that’s ideal for cold nights.
Mexican Desserts
While Mexican cuisine is known for its spices and hearty dishes, there’s also an array of delicious desserts that will fit any celebration.
45. Gourmet Sleuth Ancho Chile and Cinnamon Truffles : Can you say amazing? These truffles will impress any foodie crowd due the unique flavors used and the serious kick of spice.
46. All Recipes – Mexican Wedding Cookies : These traditional cookies are light and perfect for consuming after a hefty dinner with a cup of coffee.
47. Mexican Dessert Recipes – Flan : Check out this simple recipe for making the classic Mexican dessert that’s found in many restaurants.
48. All Recipes – Tres Leches Cake : This delicious cake is a winner with almost any audience and is a great alternative to the basic cakes you’re used to.
49. MexGrocer – Bunuelos : Light, crispy bunuelos are a universally delectable treat that can be made in advance and frozen until you need them. A mix of sugar and cinnamon brings the fried dessert to life.
Learning about Mexican food will give you insight on the history of the food you’re serving family. Mexican food is great fare for entertaining because it is casual and easy to cook for a large number of people. Still, it’s just as simple to create a tasty dinner for two when you’re in the mood for something different and these helpful blogs show you the way.
There’s nothing quite like a pizza pie. Nearly everyone, young and old, flock to the classic Italian dish that is accessible and easy to make at home. While we don’t all like the same toppings, learning more about pizza is something we all enjoy. Indulge your love for pizza with these pizza blogs and after, we can promise you’ll be craving a slice (if you aren’t already).
General Pizza Blogs
Look to these blogs and websites to learn all about the history of pizza and how to perfect your pizza-making skills.
1. Serious Eats – Slice : Slice is the online resource for pizza lovers. The site features pizza places from all over the U.S. and also discusses things like the perfect mix of wet and dry ingredients to achieve the ideal dough consistency.
2. Pizza Radio : Yep, you read that correctly. Pizza Radio is the one podcast dedicated to discussing all things pizza. Listen to weekly interviews with pizza experts and get tips on creating the perfect pie at home.
3. Passion 4 Pizza Blog This site has a helpful side menu with links to pizzerias by geographic area, which means you can find a fabulous slice no matter where you are. It also goes behind-the-scenes with professionals so you can see the methods used to cook up the perfect pie.
4. I Dream of Pizza : New York’s #1 website for pizza reviews pizza parlors in and around Manhattan. The site’s been featured in mainstream publications and describes each delectable pie with a great .
5. Legends of Pizza Blog : Keep up with your pizza news and events going on around the country with this blog. While it isn’t updated often, it does offer fun pizza stories that revolve around the role that food plays in our culture.
6. Pizza Delivery Stories : If you think a pizza delivery guy experiences scenes seen in those types of movies, you’re wrong. Mostly it’s all about getting lost and getting a pie to folks from all walks of life and this blogger paints a hilarious picture of his pizza delivery exploits.
7. All Top – Pizza : This is basically a newsfeed for pizza resources from around the web. Check out reviews, get interesting recipes and see who’s tweeting about pizza with the help of this site.
8. Blog Pizza : This site is devoted to blogging about pizza and that includes pizza news, reviews and how to own a popular franchise. Interested in making a buck from loving pizza? This is your site.
9. New York Pizza Finder : While this site no longer publishes, it is a good pizza resource for those roaming Florida in search of a slice. Also check out the archived posts for various tidbits on everyone’s favorite meal.
10. The Rochester New York Pizza Blog : The go-to site for those seeking the best of pizzerias in the Rochester and surrounding area. The writer has a knack for describing pizzas in such a way that you’ll be on your way to making a delivery order before you’re done with the site.
11. Los Angeles Pizza : This LA-based blogger is on the hunt for the perfect slice of New York-style pizza on the opposite coast. A great resource for those looking for pizza in LaLa land.
12. DC Elite Pizza : This site is dedicated to the pizza lovers of DC who stick to pizzas created in a wood burning oven only. While its members are experts in making their own pies at home, the only pre-requisite for joining is that you love pizza.
13. 6 Alternatives to Tomato Sauce : If you’re tired of tomato sauce on your pizza, try out one of these alternatives that are just as tasty. Suggestions include pesto and gremolata.
Specialized Pizza Websites and Recipes
If you’re looking for a unique recipe or local pizza reviews, look to these sites to show you the way.
14. The Breakfast Pizza Recipe : This recipe calls for quail or chicken eggs on top, making it the ultimate breakfast pizza that’s easy to pull off at home.
15. How to Grill Pizza : For those who are thin crust afficionados and love making pizza at home, this is a how-to guide to achieving a crispy crust that’s ready in mere minutes.
16. Home Pizza Chef : If you cook for a family that’s die-hard about pizza, this site will help you explore new recipes that will keep them wanting more. Recipes include a gluten free pizza and herbs and balsamic pizza.
17. Year of the Pizza : This guy won a year’s worth of free pizza and lived to tell about it. While his reign (and supply of free pizza) is over with, the site is a fun read that deals with pizza as a main subject.
18. Varasanos Pizza Recipe Jeff Varasano was determined to create the perfect pizza recipe and has achieved it. Try his recipe which takes about 2 minutes to bake (in a ridiculously hot oven) and is comprised of basic ingredients.
19. 31 Days of Pizza : The celebrate National Pizza Month (it’s October, by the way), this blogger is on a pizza binge to eat a slice a day at pizzerias in and around New York City. He’s been doing it for years, so you know he’s well-versed in the pie!
20. White Pizza Recipe : If you believe that all pizza must have a red sauce, think again. Here’s a recipe for a white pizza that’s oozing with various cheeses making it a flavorful alternative to the traditional recipes.
21. About Pizza : Learn your pizza facts from this site. Packed into one website is the history of pizza and recipes and styles of pizza that will expand your pie horizons.
22. Best Pizza Toppings : Need the best pizza toppings for ____? Find out what the best pizza toppings for a low carb diet, best pizza toppings for grilling and best pizza toppings from the Mediterrenean.
23. Pizza Therapy If making a pizza pie is a therapeutic event for you, you’re in good company. The folks at Pizza Therapy help every day pizza lovers perfect their technique in their own kitchens and share pizza stories that warm the heart.
24. Grilled Potato Gorgonzola and Prosciutto Pizza Recipe : Ultra thin slices of potato along with gorgonzola cheese and pieces of shredded prosciutto make this pizza one that will make you venture outside the conventional pizza realm. Best of all, it’s easy to create at home when you’re bored with your usual fare.
Pizza’s a common thread and no matter how much of a health nut you are, it’s likely you give in to your cheesy, crusty cravings once in awhile. Learning the history behind the popular meal and exploring blogs that give you tidbits over pizza will make you the know-it-all in the group the next time you hit up your favorite pizzeria.
Everyone appreciates food as a necessity, but many enjoy paying homage to the sensual artistry behind selecting and preparing the highest quality ingredients. In spite of the attitudes displayed by many so-called “foodies” these days, the only real qualification for the title is to love and appreciate all facets of the culinary arts. Even the simplest, cheapest of fresh, lovingly tended fare can ignite passion in connoisseurs from all walks of life. One does not have to have stacks of Bon Appétit (or even cook!) to be considered a foodie…and anyone who says otherwise is just an elitist snob who will eventually go away if ignored. Unsurprisingly, food has played an integral role in human history far, far beyond merely providing them with the energy and nutrients necessary for the species to propagate. History and creativity alike abound with individuals and organizations who consider amazing meals something wholly transcendent of their nurturing qualities. Many, many more exist beyond these men and women, of course! So consider the following listing more of a bread course than a full dining experience.
1.) Charles Darwin
Famous (and somewhat infamous) naturalist Charles Darwin is known more for his scientific exploits aboard the H.M.S. Beagle than his gustatory leanings. But it turns out that Darwin’s predilection for rare and exotic species transcended mere evolutionary inquiry. As the president of Cambridge’s Glutton Club, he and the other members noshed on some rather unorthodox (for England, anyways) cuts of meat. Bitterns, hawks and owls all landed on their plates, though the last on the list stimulated their inner chickens with its grossly unappealing stringiness. Although the Glutton Club fizzled out after the little run-in with the wizened old Strigiforme, Darwin continued with his foodie adventures while exploring the world on scientific expeditions. Some report that the ardent gourmand dined on armadillo meat while aboard the Beagle, and considered an unknown rodent the greatest animal he ever tasted. An impressive feat, considering some of the rarities he consumed.
2.) Oscar Wilde
As a child, influential Irish wit Oscar Wilde grew up eating well thanks to his wealthy family’s financial interests in the sugar trade. Even his mother and father met while protesting the potato famine. Unsurprisingly, allusions to food frequently found their way into most of Wilde’s works. No matter the audience or the style, he quipped his way through numerous food anecdotes and references – including 2 of his most beloved works, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Wilde traveled all over the world, dining with everyone from poet Walt Whitman to silver miners in Colorado (who named a shaft after him for joining them in a subterranean meal). One of his lovers, Lord Alfred Douglas (“Bosie”), helped encourage his financial instability. The pair bonded (and fell apart) over their mutual lust for the finest fare that Paris and other renowned gastric cities had to offer. Beyond Bosie, however, Wilde did have a habit of taking favored working-class men out for fancy meals and even fancier wines.
3.) Catherine de’ Medici
Because of her position as Queen of France, historians estimate that Catherine de’ Medici may have popularized the use of forks in her court – and beyond. Italian society, from which she originated, was the only one in Europe who did not consider the utensil haughty. The same likely goes for other food and food accessories as well, though the legend of Catherine de’ Medici overshadows her reality. Certainly a trendsetter in her own time, rumors of the Queen bringing every kind of dessert, pasta, fruits or vegetable to France were likely exaggerated nevertheless. Nor did she bring her own squadron of chefs into the country, either. But the woman deserves credit where credit is due. de’ Medici probably did popularize a few gustatory pleasures in her adopted home country, though realistically not as many as people claim, and threw some magnificently opulent parties while reigning alongside her underage son King Charles IX. Given her fondness for the herbaceous fare of her native land, it stands to reason that some of these events introduced the French peoples to at least something new and exotic. The fable did have to start somewhere, after all!
4.) Ernest Hemingway
Anyone who has ever read A Moveable Feast knows that writer Ernest Hemingway loved himself some French food and wine, though his passion extended beyond European borders. The entire memoir recounts his expatriate experiences along with other influential creative types such as Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Pablo Picasso, and his gustatory pleasures play an integral role. Early in his career, he wrote about the proper way to fry up a fresh-caught trout. One of his most beloved fictitious works, The Old Man and the Sea, deals with the social and political ramifications of marlin fishing. When money came flowing in, Hemingway indulged his palate with the freshest, highest-quality oysters, fish, and shrimp he could find – holding a special fondness for those he found in Paris. Such was the master’s love of food that Craig Boreth published The Hemingway Cookbook overflowing with anecdotes and recipes straight from or inspired by the eponymous writer himself.
5.) Andy Warhol
Known mostly for his prints of soup cans and bananas, Andy Warhol greatly preferred sugary treats over healthier, more savory foodstuffs. Anecdotes abound of the revolutionary artist’s unquenchable desire for sweets, with some alleging that he would patronize bakeries and devour entire birthday cakes alone. He collected cookie jars that went for a quarter of a million dollars at auction following his 1987 passing. Some report that a customs search of his luggage yielded an unexpected cache of sugary substances, with candy, cookies and gum practically bursting the seams. Others claim the artist would refrain from noshing on any fancy foods at parties, dinners and other events, responding to any inquiries by declaring that only sweets sufficed. So while not a foodie in the traditional gourmand sense, Warhol still appreciated at least one segment enough to warrant inclusion.
6.) Paul Newman
Popular actor Paul Newman loved and appreciated food so much he started his very own company dedicated to creating and distributing everything from salad dressing to frozen pizzas. After taxes, Newman’s Own donates all of its profits to thousands of charities around the world; it has raised over $300 million since being founded in 1982. Newman and his business partner, writer A.E. Hotchner, initially set out to start a small cottage industry that sold their homemade salad dressing. The actor whipped up his now-iconic recipe after finding the store brands wholly unsatisfying, giving out bottles of the stuff to friends and family as gifts. From there, everything expanded at an unexpected clip, with myriad other products joining the original salad accessories. Nell Newman, daughter of the co-founder, opened up her own spinoff company specializing in organic products in 1993. Only a devoted foodie with plenty of resources at his disposal would launch his very own (and very charitable!) company just to promote good taste amongst the populace.
7.) Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in a South African prison, and he blended DIY sensibilities with a love and appreciation of food by starting his very own garden. To him, the vegetables represented far more than self-reliance – tending to the plants’ every need allowed him to feel some semblance of control in a squelching environment. It kept him sane by providing him with an opportunity to create something beautiful out of seemingly nothing and take pride in a particularly quality harvest. Mandela’s example perfectly embodies how food transcends the pleasurable and stands as necessary for more than just nutrition. Here, it kept one of South Africa’s most influential leaders mentally and physically stimulated in the face of adversity. One wonders how Apartheid would have played out were Mandela denied rights to keep his prison garden. Even following his release, he would liken the small freedoms granted by the small plot of land to the universal quest for personal control and stability. Because of his ability to fully understand the sociopolitical importance of food, Nelson Mandela has certainly earned a spot on this list.
8.) Henry VIII
Mentioning King Henry VIII and food together in a sentence usually conjures up images of a bulky man chomping down on a gargantuan turkey leg at the local Renaissance Faire. But the real royal’s Epicurean pleasures extended well beyond the comparatively mundane fowl. In his time, he understandably built quite a reputation for himself as one of the most opulent entertainers in the world. The massive feasts thrown in his castle halls featured many food items considered exotic even today. Grilled beaver tails, swan, whale, peacock and plenty of other eats joined up with the usual chickens, pigs, and cows on Henry VIII’s generous tables. And considering Medieval cooks never liked the idea of wasting any part of an animal, their internal organs made an appearance as well. Few will argue that the king was an easy-going man, of course, but he did know how to throw a party and appreciate food with nearly superhuman vigor.
9.) Virginia Woolf
Famous for the quote, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well,” author Virginia Woolf wrote some of the most incredibly sumptuous food porn this side of Hemingway. A Room of One’s Own, for example, contains lengthy descriptions of fictional meals that would send any foodie into uncontrollable swooning. In a manner similar to the Nelson Mandela entry, she found sociopolitical commentary in the way groups and individuals took their daily bread. Every scene involving a nosh came laden with allusions and allegories intending to develop characters and drive home the works’ overarching themes. Like all the other writers on this list, Woolf found inspiration and artistry in the act of preparing and consuming the very best foods available. The connection between the literary and the culinary is undeniably intimate and mutually beneficial.
10.) Marcel Proust
Writers appear so frequently on this list because of how ardently they convey their passion for food in their works. Marcel Proust, much like the others, appreciated chefs as artists and their creations as aesthetic treats for all senses. In Search of Lost Time abounds with lush descriptions of meals – enough to inspire Shirley King to publish Dining with Marcel Proust, a cookbook featuring recipes for the dishes he so richly recounted in that particular piece. Peers described him as a nearly insatiable gourmand, though over time he narrowed his focus to appreciating the simple, satisfying delights of coffee, croissants and madelines. Regardless of what he consumed, the writer thought that the noshes opened up ultimate truths on the nature of reality and creativity.
Foodies come from all walks of life – no formal training, extra tastebuds or budget equal to the GDP of a struggling nation required! Anyone who says otherwise is quite wrong indeed. Therefore, it should come as no surprise whatsoever that historical figures new and old have discovered a plethora of pleasure from everything edible. From a simple cup of hot, satisfying coffee to giant chunks of roasted whale, they understood that food piques the senses in some very curious, unique and entirely beautiful ways.
