Cactus Salad
Some people see danger. I see dinner! A recent secret I learned when making cactus paddles (nopales) is to add some tomatillo husks (and corn husks if you have them)...
The Rancho Gordo Blog
In the kitchen
Cactus Season is Coming
I have to warn you, my interest in nopales is becoming borderline obsessive. I'm watching my once proud and mighty cactus plant rebound from the cold winter and embrace Spring...
Back From Mexico
I've just come back from a really fine trip to Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico. The real surprise was the city of Morelia. I had much the same reaction as...
Runner Cannellini and Tuna Salad
Again I found myself with just a cup or so of Runner Cannellini in the fridge, so I strained them through a fine mesh wire strainer and made a salad...
Black Beans
We're in the process of cleaning some black beans that are very small and more in the style of Oaxacan beans rather than traditional turtle beans. Black beans have a...
Yellow Eyes and Ham Hocks
So often when I'm at the farmers market I suggest that my customers cook the beans simply. They often nod in agreement and say "I'll just add a ham hock."...
Bean and Masa Patties
I was looking at a Spanish-language recipe for Gorditas and I'm confident I have no idea what I was reading. But I never let these details stop me so I...
Omelet with Cellini Beans and White Cheddar
We've been sampling Cellini runner beans at the farmers market and I always manage to save an extra cup or so for me to use at home. This morning I...
Cakebread Cellars' Duck Pot Pie
One of my favorite wineries here in the Napa Valley is Cakebread Cellars. Brian Streeter runs the kitchens and co-authored the seminal Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cookbook. More than almost...
Rancho Gordo Chili con Carne
Among chili aficionados, your answer to the question of "beans or no beans" can earn you disdain or respect. I love beans in my chili but I also dislike that...
Lamb and Flageolet from the Pacific Northwest
You meet a lot of great people online (and some real nut-jobs) and one of my favorite online friends, Leslie, has really outdone herself with her version of lamb with...
Modern Chilaquiles
And the chilaquiles discussion continues. Food snobs may be horrified but the hungry will be satisfied. My travelling buddy Christopher Ann offers this quick variation on the classic dish with...