In Chicano Eats, the Mexican-American food writer Esteban Castillo shares the food of his upbringing. Some of the recipes, like mole, tacos al pastor and churros, are traditional, while others, like carnitas poutine, cilantro-pesto rigatoni and guava cheesecake bars, are mash-ups. Everyone at my table was pleased with the pozole blanco, a traditional pork and hominy stew seasoned with onion, garlic, oregano and thyme. Another standout was the mac and queso fundido, a chorizo- and mushroom-spiked version of the best boxed mac you’ve ever had. — New York Times
Esteban Castillo, creator of the popular blog, Chicano Eats, has written a cookbook by the same name. This playful and colorful cookbook showcases outstanding recipes that are fundamentally both Mexican and American. — Food & Wine
Beloved blogger Esteban Castillo’s cookbook will make anyone homesick. (And very hungry.) Written and photographed by Castillo, Chicano Eats is a beautiful collection of treasured family recipes (his grandma’s Tacos de Papa, grandpa’s Tacos de Adobada, mom’s Frijoles Puercos) as well as his own inventive mash-ups (Mac and Queso Fundido, Michelada Ribs, and a magical Chocoflan Cake, to name a few). — Food52
A new cookbook by Esteban Castillo that's filled with so many just straight-up delicious, traditional Mexican recipes (and some fun variations). Honestly, I'm hungry just looking at the cover. — Buzzfeed
...Its joyful palette and index of cross-cultural recipes make it an aesthetic manifesto for a young, queer Chicano food writer and photographer. — North Coast Journal
When I first came across Chicano Eats, I wondered why everyone wasn’t talking about Esteban Castillo. His vibrant photographs were such a tonic to the sterile, muted food media aesthetic. His writing was bursting with pride for his identity as a queer Chicano growing up between two worlds. When I ask myself why his work on Chicano Eats resonates so strongly, I remind myself of all the Americans who look like him and have rarely gotten the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the culture at large. I hope his work reaches even more people for years to come. — Mayukh Sen, James Beard Award-winning Food Journalist
I’ve been a reader of Esteban Castillo’s Chicano Eats from the start. Though our families are from different countries, our struggles, stories, values, and love for food and family is one and the same. Esteban’s fun photography and irreverent humor draw you in. And his recipes keep you coming back! His site has become my go-to for easy Mexican food that tastes legit and is achievable with what I have access to. I’m so excited for a book full of his colorful photos and recipes. — Adrianna Adarme, Author of The Year of Cozy: 125 Recipes, Crafts and Homemade Adventures and blog, A Cozy Kitchen
Esteban (Chicano Eats) provides a vibrant perspective to Mexican food that few people know, the border town Chicano perspective. His unique style and recipes continue to highlight the vastness of Mexican and what it has become in the border regions. He’s yet another Latino breaking ground in the food realm, and can’t wait to see what deliciousness his cookbook will offer. — Claudia Sandoval, Author of Claudia’s Cocina: A Taste of Mexico, Winner of MasterChef Season 6 on FOX and Judge on MasterChef Latino on Telemundo
Chicano Eats is an inspirational look at an entirely new cuisine—one that’s wholly Mexican and American, and weaves easily between genres and borders. It’s also really fun to boot. I can’t wait to make some of these creative dishes for my own family. — Lesley Tellez, Author of Eat Mexico: Recipes and Stories from Mexico City’s Streets, Markets and Fondas
Esteban Castillo, creator of the popular blog, Chicano Eats, has written a cookbook by the same name. This playful and colorful cookbook showcases outstanding recipes that are fundamentally both Mexican and American.
In Chicano Eats, the Mexican-American food writer Esteban Castillo shares the food of his upbringing. Some of the recipes, like mole, tacos al pastor and churros, are traditional, while others, like carnitas poutine, cilantro-pesto rigatoni and guava cheesecake bars, are mash-ups. Everyone at my table was pleased with the pozole blanco, a traditional pork and hominy stew seasoned with onion, garlic, oregano and thyme. Another standout was the mac and queso fundido, a chorizo- and mushroom-spiked version of the best boxed mac you’ve ever had.
When I first came across Chicano Eats, I wondered why everyone wasn’t talking about Esteban Castillo. His vibrant photographs were such a tonic to the sterile, muted food media aesthetic. His writing was bursting with pride for his identity as a queer Chicano growing up between two worlds. When I ask myself why his work on Chicano Eats resonates so strongly, I remind myself of all the Americans who look like him and have rarely gotten the opportunity to see themselves reflected in the culture at large. I hope his work reaches even more people for years to come.
A new cookbook by Esteban Castillo that's filled with so many just straight-up delicious, traditional Mexican recipes (and some fun variations). Honestly, I'm hungry just looking at the cover.
I’ve been a reader of Esteban Castillo’s Chicano Eats from the start. Though our families are from different countries, our struggles, stories, values, and love for food and family is one and the same. Esteban’s fun photography and irreverent humor draw you in. And his recipes keep you coming back! His site has become my go-to for easy Mexican food that tastes legit and is achievable with what I have access to. I’m so excited for a book full of his colorful photos and recipes.
Chicano Eats is an inspirational look at an entirely new cuisine—one that’s wholly Mexican and American, and weaves easily between genres and borders. It’s also really fun to boot. I can’t wait to make some of these creative dishes for my own family.
...Its joyful palette and index of cross-cultural recipes make it an aesthetic manifesto for a young, queer Chicano food writer and photographer.
Beloved blogger Esteban Castillo’s cookbook will make anyone homesick. (And very hungry.) Written and photographed by Castillo, Chicano Eats is a beautiful collection of treasured family recipes (his grandma’s Tacos de Papa, grandpa’s Tacos de Adobada, mom’s Frijoles Puercos) as well as his own inventive mash-ups (Mac and Queso Fundido, Michelada Ribs, and a magical Chocoflan Cake, to name a few).
Esteban (Chicano Eats) provides a vibrant perspective to Mexican food that few people know, the border town Chicano perspective. His unique style and recipes continue to highlight the vastness of Mexican and what it has become in the border regions. He’s yet another Latino breaking ground in the food realm, and can’t wait to see what deliciousness his cookbook will offer.
09/04/2020
As a child of Mexican immigrants, Castillo developed a fondness for Mexican cuisine and its skillful preparation during family visits to Colima, Mexico. From his own home in California, Castillo worked hard to adapt recipes from family favorites, which he shares on his blog Chicano Eats. His first cookbook is not only a joyful compilation of these meals but also an autobiographical glimpse into his life as a gay Chicano. Chapters on staples, such as tacos and tortas, as well as main dishes, appetizers, desserts, and beverages, beginning with the "Essentials" of common ingredients and cooking tools, feature helpful visuals and descriptions of various Mexican cheeses and chiles. While some meals are complex in ingredients, Castillo provides shortcuts (e.g., frozen waffle fries as a base for Carnitas Poutine) and vegetarian options. In true Chicano fashion, many dishes extend beyond Mexican classics to include American favorites like chicken wings, burgers, and barbecue. VERDICT Readers will be inspired to try Castillo's accessible and appetizing Mexican American family recipes.—Jennifer Clifton, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis
