Mexican Recipes

Flour tortillas spread with a SPAM and cream cheese filling flavored with fresh dill and green onions, then rolled up with cucumber, sunflower seeds, and sprouts. A no-cook wrap that's great for lunches and picnics.

Grilled chicken fajitas with a bright raisin salsa of tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, jalapeno, and lime. Warm corn tortillas and sweet-spicy salsa make this a build-your-own dinner party hit.

Chilled Avocado Soup with ginger, serrano chile, and lime, topped with cilantro cream and walnut oil-dressed julienned radishes. A layered Mexican-inspired cold soup that also works served hot.

Quick black bean and salmon appetizer with cumin, lime, and a kick of red pepper, scooped up with crispy baked corn tortilla chips. Diabetic-friendly and ready in 30 minutes.

Roast duckling glazed with apricot basting sauce, served with wild rice studded with toasted pine nuts, chopped pears, and currants. An elegant holiday centerpiece.

Butter-seared chicken breasts topped with a fresh pineapple salsa packed with ginger, cilantro, roma tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon. A bright, tropical 30-minute dinner the whole family will love.

Mexican fish in adobo sauce made with rehydrated ancho chiles, tomatoes, orange juice, cumin, and cinnamon. Pan-seared fillets baked in a smoky, citrus-laced chile sauce.

Popcakes are buttermilk quick breads baked in muffin tins that pop up tall and golden. Includes a Mexican masa harina variation and a stovetop pancake version from the same batter.

Filled tortillas are make-ahead pinwheel appetizers, flour tortillas spread with spiced cream cheese, jalapenos and black olives, then rolled, chilled and sliced into bite-size rounds. Crowd-pleasing party finger food.

Bean burrito casserole layers tortillas with pinto beans, brown rice, and scallions under a homemade chili-spiked enchilada sauce. Vegetarian make-ahead Mexican casserole baked in one dish.

Roasted tomato salsa with jalapenos, garlic, white onion, cumin, and cider vinegar. Oven-roasting concentrates the tomato flavor for a smoky, slightly chunky salsa that beats any jar.

Sangria El Tampa with red wine, fresh-squeezed citrus juices, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon-lime soda. A Florida-style punch sangria for a crowd.

Low-fat asparagus guacamole made with pureed cooked asparagus and yogurt instead of avocado. Same guacamole seasonings - cumin, cayenne, garlic, tomato - a fraction of the fat.

Mexican salsa fria is a no-cook cold salsa of ripe tomatoes, tomatillos, sweet Vidalia onion, and green chiles sharpened with olive oil and white wine vinegar. Bright, chunky, served icy cold.

Quick guacamole dip with mashed avocado, mayo, tomato, green chili, and lemon. 5-minute creamy version that stretches one avocado for a crowd.

the key to salsa verde is the tomatillos (tomate verde -- NOT just a green tomato)...don't know where you're from, but if it's the west or southwest, you'll probably find them in the super...if not, they are available canned in a mexican food section.