My Mexican Kitchen: 100 Recipes Rich with Tradition, Flavor, and Spice: A Cookbook

by Eva Longoria

A celebration of Mexican ingredients and traditions—plus 100 favorite recipes—from Eva Longoria While hosting Searching for Mexico on CNN, Eva Longoria reconnected with her Mexican roots and tasted iconic Mexican dishes like meat-stuffed Chiles en Nogada draped in a creamy walnut sauce and the Yucatán classic Pollo Asado, made with an aromatic garlic-citrus-achiote paste. In My Mexican Kitchen, she embraces the techniques and flavors she discovered and brings them home to her Southern California kitchen. From dishes based on long-heeded Aztec traditions like Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde to her Tia Elsa’s Pork and Red Chile Tamales and Conchas that remind her of Mexico City, each recipe offers a delicious tribute to Mexican food and flavors.  In addition to recipes for Enfrijoladas, White Pozole, Shrimp Aguachile, Cheesy Tacos de Fideo with Chorizo, and Butternut Squash with Coconut Oil and Cayenne, Eva dives into the backstory of many key Mexican ingredients from vanilla to agave. Alongside recipes that are masa-based like gorditas and sopes, she writes about the history of maiz and masa, nixtamlization, and the commercialization of corn, and she speaks to tequila production and traditions prior to showcasing not one but three recipes for margaritas.  Eva’s genuine love for cooking and culinary-related history along with her pride for her heritage shine on every page of this beautiful, meaningful, and delectable cookbook.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

Eva Jacqueline Longoria (née Eva Jacqueline Longoria) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives.

She became a nationally recognized model in the 2000s after appearing in several high-profile advertising campaigns and numerous men's magazines, reaching #14 in the FHM "Sexiest Women 2008" poll, and having appeared on the cover of various international women's magazines including Vogue, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar. Longoria married NBA guard Tony Parker in 2007 and divorced him in 2011.

Reviews

[Bibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a great cookbook with simple ingredients, and great flavor this is it. Lots of authentic Mexican recipes, and some new twists to some I hadn’t seen before. The pictures are beautiful too. Highly recommend giving it a try. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I moved to Austin, I knew a lot about French food—my husband is French, and I've lived in France—but very little about Mexican cuisine. Luckily, just a short walk from my house is a marvelous mercado that instantly transports me from Texas to Mexico the moment I step inside. I love it. The vibrant produce section is filled with beautifully displayed fruits and vegetables, including things I’d never cooked before, like cactus. The deli counter serves mouthwatering tacos with meats slow-cooked in-house. The spice rack overflows with an exciting array of hot peppers beyond anything I could have imagined. But as much as I loved wandering the aisles, I had one big problem: I didn’t know what to do with all these enticing ingredients!

That’s where Eva Longoria’s My Mexican Kitchen came in.

Wow! Eva Longoria didn’t just open the door to my neighborhood Mexican supermarket—she invited me in and made me feel at home.

I had already explored books by the “greats” of Mexican cuisine, like Diana Kennedy (often called the "Julia Child" of Mexican cooking) and Pati Jinich (a James Beard Award-winning chef). I had cookbooks featuring recipes from beloved Mexican restaurants, like Fonda San Miguel (Austin’s upscale Mexican institution) and Nopalito (San Francisco’s famed spot). But the book I keep coming back to—again and again—is My Mexican Kitchen.

I've cooked more than half the recipes, and my children and husband rave about the flavors. They ask for seconds. They clamor for me to make their favorites on repeat. Not all the dishes in My Mexican Kitchen are strictly Mexican—some reflect the multicultural influences of Mexico, which was a fascinating surprise. There’s a Middle Eastern dish, a Spanish dish, and more. But every single recipe is delicious—especially if you read the preface to each one and include the optional ingredients. The recipes are generally written in a mild form, but Longoria suggests simple variations that elevate them to something more flavorful and complex.

Another reason I keep turning to this book? The simplicity. The recipes are approachable, the step-by-step photos make it easy to try dishes I’ve never heard of or tasted before, and the ingredients are affordable. My Mexican Kitchen isn’t just a cookbook—it’s been my guide to confidently exploring the flavors of my new home.

[Brenda Dickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarkson Potter provided me with a free copy of this book; the opinions are my own.  This is a wonderful book by Eva Longoria and it is a testament to her love of Mexican culture and her passion for food.  There is a chapter about all that is needed in a pantry to make her Mexican recipes.  It also includes resources for many of the ingredients.  There are 100 recipes that include breakfast and desserts and everything in between.  It is a wonderful cookbook for anyone interested in Mexican cooking.  I made the Tres Leches Cake and it was fabulous!  I intend to make my way through many of the recipes and have a special interest in making the breakfast recipes. Eva has included a small look into her life at the beginning of each recipe which I find very charming.  It is also a beautifully photographed book.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strongly advocates for use of Mexican Vanilla, Mexican Oregano, and Ceylon Cinnamon as these have different flavor profiles than other varieties

If you are looking to cook more authentic Mexican or just want to try some new recipes, great place to start.

Conchas
Enfrijoladas
Mexican French Toast
My-Go-To Bone Broth
Chicken Tinga Tostadas
Nopal Ceviche
Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde
Sopas with Refried Beans, Roasted Poblanos, and Caramelized Onion
Short Rib Birria
Chiles en Nogada (national dish of Mexico)
Slow-Cooked Pork Belly
Vanilla Chicken
Tres Leches Cake
Bananas Flambes
Chocoflan
Grilled Mango with No-Churn Coconut Ice Cream

Solid Guacamole recipe!

Make your own flour and corn tortillas (and Totopos)

[Claudia Majetich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like a lot about this cookbook. It's well organized, and has a very good chapter on basic tools and pantry items needed. I copied a couple of recipes because they seemed simple and straightforward, and something my husband would like to eat.

If you've already cooked out of other Mexican cookbooks, you won't find anything especially interesting here. But if you're new to Mexican cooking, this is probably a great book to start with.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a celebrity cookbook this isn’t bad, but it’s totally unnecessary. Eva doesn’t offer new recipes or techniques that aren’t already available in Mexican cookbooks already published. If you’re a fan of hers, you might add this to your collection.

[Gerrianne Hoefgen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good looking recipes, nice amount of pictures too. Great chili recipe.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some tasty recipes in this cookbook. A good resource to check out if you're looking for some Mexican food. Nov. 2024

[Amanda Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

The descriptions of the methods leave something to be desired. The photos are purely for vibes, not instructional. Good recipe selection. The conchas were delicious.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cookbook to check out from the library; I found a couple recipes to try! Chicken Taquitos and Lentil Soup!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! Expected the usual celebrity cash-in fluff but Eva really knows her stuff about ingredients and Mexico. Her recipes are accessible and sound yummy.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource.