Provecho
We adore Mexican food, so I was super excited when Provecho, by Edgar Castrejon, arrived last week. Edgar is first generation Mexican-American, and his passions for cooking, eating, and family shine through on every page. With over 100 plant-predominant recipes, this cookbook is a testament to the power of food to bring people together. I loved reading of his childhood, his relationship with each dish, and his own plant-based journey. As he is food stylist and photographer, this book is simply gorgeous, with stunning photographs and lovely layout touches, like ingredient lists in a subtly different font color than the recipe methods. This makes Provecho both lovely to look at and easy to cook from. Best of all, though, his food just looks amazing. I can’t wait to cook my way from start to finish.
Provecho is divided into sections not by traditional meal category, but by how eating was approached in Edgar’s family.
La Mesa Llena ("The Full Table") includes dishes that require a little more time in the kitchen. It includes recipes like No-Bake Enchiladas Verde with Jackfruit, Colombian Empanadas, and Pozole Verde, which was the recipe I made first. It was so so good!
La Mesita ("The Small Table") are simple, casual meals, made to be eaten while laughing with friends. It includes recipes like Adobo Mushroom Tacos, Quesadillas con Platanos, and a gorgeous Coliflor Asada. This whole head of cauliflower roasted in spiced almond-butter sauce is next on my cooking list.
La Mañana Después de la Cruda ("The Morning After") includes dishes for after celebration nights. La Mañana Después de la Cruda is about “anticipating something good happening even after the party is over.” It includes recipes like Burritos de Desayuno, "Huevos" Rancheros and Papas con Chorizo Vegano.
Antojitos ("Little Cravings") is a chapter filled with tasty bites to be eaten as a snack or before the main meal. It includes recipes like Vegan Chipotle Crema, Mi Tia Evelia's Ceviche de Coliflor, and a myriad of amazing sauces and salsa varieties.
Bebidas ("Drinks") includes recipes to quench your thirst, like Oat Milk Horchata, Jugo de Espinaca y Pina, Margarita Fuerte, and Aqua Fresca de Hibiscus.
Postrecitos ("Little Desserts") contains recipes to satisfy any sweet tooth, including Gelatina de Mango Coco, Apple Empanadas, and Gullets de Almendras.
I truly cannot wait to cook my way through this gorgeous cookbook, learning more about traditional techniques and flavors as I go.
This book is a beauty. If you love Mexican flavors, gorgeous photographs, and a good story, I strongly encourage you to check it out. Edgar can also be found on instagram @edgarraw or at www.edgarraweats.com.
Happy, healthy cooking!
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