Recipes magazine

Biscochitos (also spelled bizcochitos) are traditional New Mexican anise-flavored shortbread cookies with a delicate, crumbly texture. They are often made during holidays, weddings, and celebrations. The signature flavor comes from anise seeds, cinnamon sugar, and lard.

Ingredients (Makes about 40–50 cookies)

Cookie Dough:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups lard, softened (traditional)
  or 1 ¾ cups unsalted butter for a butter version
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons anise seeds, lightly crushed
• ¼ cup brandy, rum, or orange juice (optional but traditional)
• Zest of 1 orange (optional)

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough

1. In a bowl, whisk together:
   • Flour
   • Baking powder
   • Salt
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened lard and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes.
3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
4. Add:
   • Vanilla
   • Anise seeds
   • Brandy (or orange juice)
   • Orange zest (if using)
5. Gradually add the flour mixture until a soft dough forms.

2. Chill the dough

• Divide dough into 2–3 portions.
• Wrap and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.

This makes the dough easier to roll and helps keep the cookies tender.

3. Shape the cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll dough out to about ¼ inch (6 mm) thick on a lightly floured surface.
3. Cut into traditional shapes:
   • Fleur-de-lis
   • Stars
   • Hearts
   • Diamonds

Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.

4. Bake

Bake for:

10–14 minutes

until the edges are lightly golden.

Do not overbake — biscochitos should remain tender and crumbly.

5. Coat with cinnamon sugar

While cookies are still warm:

1. Mix sugar and cinnamon together.
2. Gently toss or sprinkle cookies with the mixture.

Let cool completely.

Traditional Tips for Authentic Biscochitos:

• Lard gives the most authentic texture — it creates the classic melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
• Toast the anise seeds lightly before adding them for a deeper aroma.
• The dough should be soft, not sticky.
• They taste even better the next day after the flavors develop.

Storage:

• Room temperature in an airtight container: 1–2 weeks
• Frozen dough: up to 3 months
• Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.

(Mexican-Style)

Picadillo is a comforting Mexican ground beef dish cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Adding green beans gives it extra texture and a slightly sweet, fresh flavor. It’s usually served with rice, tortillas, or beans.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the picadillo:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 ½ lbs (700 g) ground beef (80/20 works best)
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped
(or 1 can / 14 oz crushed tomatoes)
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
1 ½ cups fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
1–2 jalapeños, finely chopped (optional)
Tomato sauce blend:
3 Roma tomatoes
½ white onion
2 garlic cloves
1 cup chicken broth or water
Seasoning:
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
Instructions

1. Make the tomato base
   Blend the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and chicken broth until smooth.
   Set aside.
2. Brown the beef
   Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
   Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
   Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Cook the aromatics
   Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.
   Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Add the sauce and seasoning
   Pour in the blended tomato mixture.
   Add cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and chili powder.
   Stir well and simmer for about 10 minutes.
5. Add vegetables
   Add potatoes, carrots, and green beans.
   Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened.
6. Finish

Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning.

Serve hot with:

Warm corn tortillas
Mexican rice
Refried beans
Avocado slices
Fresh salsa
Extra restaurant-style tips:
Let the beef brown well before adding the sauce — that creates a deeper flavor.
Cut potatoes small so they absorb the tomato sauce.
For a richer flavor, add 1 tablespoon tomato paste when cooking the onions and garlic.
A splash of lime juice at the end brightens the whole dish.

Salsa quemada (“burnt salsa”) is a classic Mexican salsa made by charring tomatoes, tomatillos, chiles, onion, and garlic until they develop a smoky flavor. It’s great with tacos, grilled meats, eggs, chips, or as a topping for enchiladas.

Ingredients
4 large ripe Roma tomatoes (about 500 g)
4 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
2–3 fresh jalapeños or serrano chiles (use serranos for more heat)
½ medium white onion, cut into thick slices
4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Juice of 1 lime (optional)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
¼ teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
1–2 tablespoons water if needed
Instructions

1. Roast the vegetables

On a comal, cast iron skillet, grill, or under a broiler:

Heat your pan or broiler until very hot.
Place tomatoes, tomatillos, chiles, onion slices, and garlic on the hot surface.
Roast until they become blackened and blistered:
Tomatoes: about 8–12 minutes
Tomatillos: about 5–8 minutes
Chiles: about 5–7 minutes
Garlic: about 5 minutes

Turn everything occasionally so it chars evenly.

2. Peel the garlic

Let the roasted garlic cool slightly, then remove the skins.

3. Blend

Add roasted ingredients to a blender or molcajete:

Start with tomatoes and tomatillos
Add chiles, garlic, onion, salt, and cumin
Blend until you reach your preferred texture

For a traditional salsa quemada, keep it slightly chunky.

4. Finish the salsa

Stir in:

Fresh cilantro
Lime juice (optional)

Taste and adjust salt or heat.

Resting tip

Let the salsa sit for 30 minutes before serving. The smoky roasted flavors become much stronger.

Storage
Refrigerator: up to 5–7 days in a sealed container
Freezer: about 3 months
Restaurant-style variation

For a deeper smoky flavor:

Roast the tomatoes and tomatillos until very dark, almost burnt in spots
Use 2 serrano chiles + 1 jalapeño
Crush everything in a molcajete instead of blending

This gives the smoky, rustic salsa commonly served with tacos al carbón and grilled meats in Mexico.

This cheesy, creamy taco-style casserole is the version that looks like the one in your picture—loaded with seasoned beef, tortilla chips, and lots of melted cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) taco seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) corn, drained
• 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) condensed cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
• 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (240 g) sour cream
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4–5 cups tortilla chips, lightly crushed
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add the garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes and corn. Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
5. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and condensed soup until smooth.
6. Spread a layer of crushed tortilla chips in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Add half of the beef mixture.
8. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over the beef.
9. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup cheddar.
10. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining cheese on top.
11. Place a few whole tortilla chips on top for presentation.
12. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until hot, bubbly, and the cheese is fully melted.
13. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For the Extra-Cheesy Pull (Like the Picture)

• Use whole milk mozzarella, freshly shredded.
• Add an extra 1 cup of mozzarella on top.
• Serve immediately while hot.
• Broil for the last 2–3 minutes for a golden cheesy crust.

Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

A hearty, flavorful vegetarian chili packed with pinto beans, tomatoes, peppers, and warm Mexican spices.

Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
2 (15 oz / 425 g) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (28 oz / 800 g) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Optional Toppings
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Diced avocado
Chopped cilantro
Sliced jalapeños
Lime wedges
Crushed tortilla chips

Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Stir in the tomato paste.
Add the pinto beans, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
Simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Serving Suggestions

Serve hot with:

Warm cornbread
Rice
Tortillas
Tortilla chips
Tips
For a meatier texture, mash about 1 cup of the beans before adding them to the pot.
Add corn or diced zucchini during the last 15 minutes of cooking for extra vegetables.
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully.

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour

Pork Pozole Rojo

A traditional Mexican soup made with tender pork, hominy, and a rich red chile broth.Ingredients
For the Pozole
2 lbs (900 g) pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
1 lb (450 g) pork ribs or pork neck bones (optional, for extra flavor)
10 cups (2.4 L) water
1 medium onion, halved
6 cloves garlic
2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
2 (25 oz / 700 g) cans white hominy, drained and rinsed
For the Red Chile Sauce
4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
2 dried árbol chiles (optional, for heat)
2 cloves garlic
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
1 cup hot water
Traditional Garnishes
Shredded cabbage or lettuce
Thinly sliced radishes
Diced onion
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Dried oregano
Tortilla chips, tostadas, or warm corn tortillas

Instructions

1. Cook the Pork
   Place pork, water, onion, garlic, and salt in a large pot.
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours, skimming any foam from the surface.
   Cook until the pork is very tender and easily shreds.
2. Make the Chile Sauce
   Toast the dried chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side.
   Place them in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 15–20 minutes.
   Transfer chiles to a blender with garlic, oregano, cumin, and 1 cup soaking liquid.
   Blend until completely smooth.
   Strain through a fine-mesh sieve for a smoother broth.
3. Finish the Pozole
   Remove the onion from the pork broth.
   Shred the pork into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot.
   Stir in the chile sauce and hominy.
   Simmer for 30–40 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
   Taste and adjust salt as needed.
4. Serve

Ladle the pozole into bowls and let everyone add their preferred garnishes: cabbage, radishes, onion, cilantro, oregano, and a squeeze of lime.

Tips
Pozole tastes even better the next day.
For a richer flavor, use homemade pork stock instead of water.
If you like it spicy, add extra árbol chiles or serve with hot sauce.

Serves: 6–8 people
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: About 2½–3 hours