This blog is more of an ongoing cookbook of Mexican Cooking than anything else. ORIGINAL MEXICAN COOKING! Creating a little bit of home away from home. Notice I said ORIGINAL and not AUTHENTIC. Authentic doesn't really exist any more. Mexico has been under so many flags that it's authenticity has not only been compromised, but totally lost.

I'm NOT a professional chef. I've not been to Cordon Bleu, or The Cooking Institute of America. I grew up cooking along side mi madrecita - Carmen, mi Nana - Candelaria, and mi Tia Beatriz. ...and not all in the same kitchen at the same time. They each had their own flavor and each firmly believed that the other's cooking was better. Well, except for my Tia Beatriz. (Tia = Aunt). She firmly believed that she had the golden touch. So... in all my tiny wisdom, I chose to learn the best from of each of these fine ladies and create an original style that complemented each of them and at the same time capture the flavors of my youth.

I miss my mother's cooking. GOOD MEXICAN COOKING! Some restaurants almost get it right. Most totally fail. They each claim authenticity where it no longer exists. Mexico's cooking has been influenced by Spaniards, Germans, French, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, English, Polish, Italians... you name it...

About ten years ago, I visited Mexico. I went to the same restaurants in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas that I had spent all of the summers of my youth eating in. Expecting the same flavors I had experienced way back then. I was literally shocked. Tastes and flavors and even the smells were off. What had happened? The WORLD had come to Mexico and Mexicans had acculturated. Mexico had sacrificed it's flavors for a less Mexican but more international palate.

Well - This simply cannot be, I thought to myself. Where did all my flavors go? The Mexican oregano tasted more like Greek oregano... Don't get me wrong, Greek oregano has it's place. But it is no match for that good old weed I used to harvest along train tracks near the house or along the Zacate Creek. A strong robust flavor... and the comino... where was my comino. (Cumin) Some things you just can't do without!

Allow me to guide you through the memories of my youth and revisit the palate I grew up knowing. If I slip into Spanish, please excuse my doing so... I promise to try to catch myself and also put everything down in English.

My sister, Mary Macias will have a hand in this as well... She will tell me when things here are a bit off and I'll come back and edit. Between the two of us, we'll help make your kitchen a part of our family. She will have recipes to pass down to her children and her children's children. Mary lives in Corpus Christi, Texas with two of my nephews, Manuelito, and Zef.
My name is León Cano. I'm a singer living in Nashville, TN and I miss the home of my youth and most of all, I miss my family... Of course, at 57, that should come as no surprise.

Cook with a LOVE in your heart. LOVE is always the main ingredient.

Buen Provecho!