Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks

by Rick Bayless, Deann Groen Bayless (Primary Contributor)

A brand-new collection from America’s leading authority on Mexican cooking. For years, fans have urged Rick Bayless to collect recipes for his prized margaritas, guacamoles, and snacks in one book. Now Rick shares 35 new and classic margaritas, including his version of the perfect margarita, the popular Topolo Margarita, and modern variations made with Mezcal. There’s a margarita for every budget, taste, and season, including the Quintessential Strawberry Margarita. Rick also provides a guacamole recipe for each month of the year, such as a summer guacamole with grilled sweet corn and roasted jalapenos. As added bonuses, Rick suggests aqua fresca cocktails, with fresh fruit juices, and offers recipes for nut and vegetable snacks. Each recipe is written with the kind of exact and easy-to-follow directions that guarantee great results every time. Frontera: Margaritas, Guacamoles, and Snacks is a must-have for anyone who has eaten at Rick’s restaurants or just can’t resist the undeniable pleasure of a margarita and its perfect complements. 50 color photographs

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published November 5, 2012

About the author

Rick Bayless has written six cookbooks, including Mexican Everyday and Fiesta at Rick's. His product line of prepared foods is sold coast to coast. With his wife Deann he owns and operates Chicago’s casual Frontera Grill, named “Outstanding Restaurant” by the James Beard Foundation, and the four-star fine-dining Topolobampo. XOCO, a Leed-certified quick-serve restaurant, opened in 2009. He is the host of the public television series Mexico—One Plate at a Time.

Reviews

[Jeri Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands-down, Rick Bayless is a culinary rock star. This book is on my shelf due to a growing interest in learning about tequila. His gift for creating wonderful dishes is bolstered by his studies in anthropology and time spent in Mexico. In all aspects of cooking, he goes above and beyond with keen insights and an incomparable eye to details. Such an eye might account for why some reviews criticize this book. Yes, some ingredients are hard to find, but reasonable substitutions are suggested. It shouldn't come as a surprise either that Bayless's recipes are quite involved at times and require steps many wouldn't bother with. I'm most looking forward to making the apple habanero cocktail.

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea there were so many versions of margaritas. 2/3 of the book is drinks and being a non-drinker this was light reading. The guacamole section had great new guacamoles that go well beyond the classic restaurant fare. There is also a short section on snacks, mostly nuts and fruits. Rick knows his Mexican recipes.

[Flossmoor Public Library (IL) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is awesome if you are going to host a themed party, but it's not a practical everyday cookbook.

- Ms. Jenn

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my full review @ http://bit.ly/W66l7g

My opinion: Let me say first that this cookbook was put together beautifully. The drinks and snacks/appetizers looked delicious; however, there was a complexity to the drink recipes that I don't think made it a practical cookbook for the everyday house or house bar. Frequently, the liqueurs required multiple steps and multiple days of preparation, such as vanilla orange liqueur which was utilized in only one margarita. Now, there will be a couple of drinks that I prepare for this food blog, but they were definitely outweighed by those that couldn't be.

I thought the variations in the guacamole were interesting. The snacks in the book were light and required special ingredients which may/may not be difficult to locate such as a powdered chipotle powder.

[AdultNonFiction Teton County Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

TCL Call#: 641.5972 Bayless R

Madeleine - 5 stars
This book is full of delicious drink recipes and a few snacks. Bayless takes his time explaining the foodie principles behind his choices - the discussion on limes and their handling was one of the most illuminating things I've read about cooking in a LONG time and he just idly tosses is in there in typical Bayless style. His drink recipes are written two ways - for an individual cocktail and for a party pitcher. So awesome. Great writing combined with gorgeous pictures leaves you with a most inspirational cookbook and a hunger for more Frontera.

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book title describes exactly what's in the book - guacamole, margaritas, and a small selection of snacks. The real focus of the book is on a variety of cocktails, with a nice section on dessert drinks.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is almost worth buying. Can't wait to try to make some of these amazing cocktails and tantalizing guacamoles. Additionally, a trip to Chicago is in order to go to one or all of Rick Bayless' restaurants.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, I like margaritas and guacamole, but I'm not sure I need an entire cookbook devoted to them!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes are very complex but, oh my, they are tasty!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many things I need to try now, from the recipes in this book!

[Meredith]

The recipes are very complex but, oh my, they are tasty!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

who knew making a margarita could be so complicated...