Bistec en Salsa Roja

Sometimes when I'm obsessively cooking, writing or talking about tacos, I feel like I'm such a faker to the world of Mexican food. After all, I am literally the WASP-iest Canadian who ever lived (sorry Anne Murray) and I don't even speak a lick of Spanish. Are my flavours that authentic? Would someone who grew up at the kitchen table of their Abuela scoff at my cooking attempts?

These are the thoughts that keep me up at night. Well, actually it's work stress. But taco stress is also no joke.

However, every once in a while I think I nail it. Like with this recipe for Salsa Roja, which I then stewed with flank steak. I used some dried peppers specially procured for the occasion and they made all the difference. This dish has some rich heat that's tempered by the crema and brings to mind all the Mexican food I've loved before.

So cook this up the next time you need to impress Rick Bayless (anybody? ...nobody)

Cucumber Fish Tacos

Happy New Year taco fans! I am all rested up and filled with restaurant tacos - the joys of visiting home for the holidays. Between La Carnita and Mex-i-can, I have a head full of recipe ideas and a belly full of food. Too much food. So to start the year off right, I've created a healthy, crisp and quick recipe to ease you out of overindulgence-mode.