CONTENTS

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Map

Dedication

Foreword by Oscar Casares

INTRODUCTION

How I Became the Enchilada Queen

CHAPTER 1

Border Cuisine

Eating Along the Rio Grande

CHAPTER 2

The Foundation

Tortillas, Basics, Flavor Tricks

EQUIPMENT

INGREDIENTS

ENCHILADA QUEEN TORTILLA BOOTCAMP

Handmade Corn Tortillas

Handmade Flour Tortillas

Enchilada Queen Chicken Stock

SYLVIA’S FLAVOR TRICKS

The Tex-Mex Holy Trinity: Garlic, Cumin, and Black Pepper Spice Paste (Big Batch)

The Tex-Mex Holy Trinity: Garlic, Cumin, and Black Pepper Spice Paste (Small Batch)

Enchilada Queen Seasoning Blend (Big Batch)

Enchilada Queen Seasoning Blend (Small Batch)

Enchilada Queen Grilled Vegetable Seasoning Blend

Enchilada Queen Lime, Garlic, and White Wine Butter

Sylvia’s Brine for Grilling

CHAPTER 3

Enchilada Queen Sauces

The Heart and Soul of Rio Grande Cuisine

Classic Tex-Mex Chili Gravy

Chili con Carne Gravy

Salsa Roja

Salsa Hidalgo Roja

Salsa Ranchera

Mole Puebla

Salsa Casera

Salsa Española

Salsa Veracruzana

Salsa Suiza

Salsa Verde

Salsa de Crema Verde

Salsa de Crema

Salsa de Jaiba

CHAPTER 4

Enchilada Queen Wisdom

or Why Sylvia Is “the Queen”

FILLINGS FOR ENCHILADAS

Rio Grande Ground Beef

Pollo Guisado (Stewed Chicken)

Stewed Chicken Breast

Carnitas (Slow-Fried Pork)

Calabacitas and Maiz (Squash and Corn)

Spinach

Shrimp or Crab with Butter and Garlic

THE ENCHILADA QUEEN’S TEXAS TWO-STEP SECRET TO GREAT ENCHILADAS

Enchilada Queen Secret Chile Sauce for Flavoring Tortillas

Enchilada Queen Texas Two-Step: To Flavor and Soften Corn Tortillas

TEX-MEX ENCHILADAS

DONNA: Beef with Chili Gravy

REFUGIO: Cheese Enchiladas with Chili Gravy

MCALLEN: Chicken with Chili Gravy

KINEÑA: Beef or Chicken Fajita with Chili Gravy

EL PASO: Rio Grande Ground Beef or Cheese and Onions with Chili Gravy or Salsa Roja

CRYSTAL CITY: Spinach with Salsa Verde

LAGUNA MADRE: Crab with Salsa de Jaiba

SARITA: Calabacitas and Maiz with Salsa de Crema

MEX-MEX ENCHILADAS

SAN MIGUEL: Chicken with Salsa Suiza

MEXICO CITY: Chicken with Salsa Verde

MORELIA: White Cheese with Salsa Roja

TAMPICO: Shrimp with Salsa Veracruzana

MONTERREY: Chicken, Beef, or Cheese with Salsa Española

CHIHUAHUA: White Cheese, Pollo Guisado, or Rio Grande Ground Beef with Salsa Ranchera

PUEBLA: Stewed Chicken Breast with Mole Pueblano

HIDALGO VERDE: Carnitas with Salsa de Crema Verde

HIDALGO ROJA: Carnitas (Slow-Fried Pork) with Salsa Hidalgo Roja

GUADALAJARA: Chicken with Salsa Casera

CHAPTER 5

Salsas, Appetizers, and Snacks

Salsa de Mesa (Table Salsa)

Frontera Pico de Gallo Salsa (Fresh Border Salsa)

Enchilada Queen Salsa de Casa

“Hair on Fire” Habanero Salsa

Fresh Guacamole

Enchilada Queen Avocado Salsa Dip

Picamole

Enchilada Queen Chile con Queso

Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen Nachos

Coctel de Camaron (Shrimp Cocktail)

Ceviche a la Veracruzana

Tacos Rancheros (Homestyle Tacos)

Gulf Coast Fish Tacos

Grilled Fish for Tacos

Fried Fish for Tacos

Flautas Rio Grande

CHAPTER 6

A la Parilla

Border Grilling

Frontera Beef (or Chicken) Fajitas

Carne Asada (Grilled Steak)

Huchinango a la Veracruzana (Red Snapper Veracruz)

ROCKPORT: Mesquite Grilled Shrimp

Frontera Cabrito: Mesquite-Roasted Baby Goat

HEBRONVILLE: Grilled South Texas Ranch Quail

CHAPTER 7

Enchilada Queen Homestyle

Soups and Stews, Family Dishes, and “Mexican Breakfast”

SOUPS AND STEWS

Enchilada Queen Tortilla Soup

Caldo de Res (Vegetable Beef Soup)

La Fondita Tortilla Soup

Sylvia’s Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Vegetable Soup)

Sylvia’s Sopa de Fideo (Vermicelli Soup)

Crema de Elote con Jaiba (Corn and Crab Soup)

Puerco Guisada (Braised Pork)

Frontera Carne Guisada (Beef Stew Border Style)

Rio Grande Valley Arroz con Pollo (Chicken with Rice)

Chiles Relleños (Stuffed Poblano Peppers)

Salsita (Little Sauce) for Chile Relleños

“MEXICAN BREAKFAST”

Frontera Gorditas

Chilaquiles con Salsa Verde (Crispy Tortilla Pieces with Green Sauce)

Migas con Huevos a la Mexicana (Scrambled Eggs with Crispy Tortillas, Onions, and Peppers)

“Mexican Breakfast” Potatoes

Huevos Rancheros (Eggs with Ranchera Sauce)

CHAPTER 8

Tamale Tutorial

Soaked Corn Husks for Tamales

Masa for Tamales

Pork or Chicken Tamales

Simply Sweet Tamales

CHAPTER 9

Enchilada Queen Sides

RICE

Sarita’s Rice

Arroz Verde (Green Rice)

BEANS

The Enchilada Queen Famous Refried Beans

Enchilada Queen Quick Refried Beans

Sylvia’s Charro Beans

Enchilada Queen Frijoles Negros (Black Beans)

MORE SIDES

Frontera Grilled Onions and Peppers

Poblano Grits

Rajas Poblanos in Crema (Roasted Poblanos in cream sauce)

Nopales Frescos (Fresh Chopped Cactus Leaves Salad)

Elotes (Roasted Corn)

Esquites (Pan-Fried Corn with Cilantro)

Ruby Red Grapefruit and Avocado Salad

Grapefruit Vinaigrette

Pan-Roasted Calabacitas (Squash)

CHAPTER 10

Enchilada Queen Sweet Endings

Enchilada Queen Classic Flan

Classic Tres Leches Cake

Enchilada Queen Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream

South Texas Buñuelos

Enchilada Queen Sopapillas

Frontera Capirotada (Bread Pudding)

Tía Lupe’s Polvorones

Pumpkin Empanadas

CHAPTER 11

Sipping with the Enchilada Queen

THE PERFECT MARGARITA

Enchilada Queen Perfect Margarita by the Glass

Enchilada Queen Perfect Margarita by the Pitcher

Ruby Red Margaritas by the Pitcher

Ruby Red Margarita by the Glass

Mango Margarita

Abundio’s Prized Sangria

AGUAS FRESCAS (MEXICAN FRUIT JUICE DRINKS)

Agua de Sandía (Watermelon Juice Drink)

Enchilada Queen Refreshing Agua de Límon (Limeade)

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Resource List

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

Copyright