“NUNS’ SIGHS” ON THE MENU IN NEW COOKBOOK: The recipe for Buñuelos, o Suspiros de Monjas (Puffy Fritters, or Nuns' Sighs) is one of 300 offered in the new book “Encarnación's Kitchen: Mexican Recipes from Nineteenth-Century California,” edited and translated by L.A. librarian and food writer Dan Strehl. Strehl has taken selections from Encarnación Pinedo's “El cocinero español.” It was first published in 1898 in San Francisco and is recognized as the first cookbook ever written by a Latino in the U.S. Latina magazine calls it “a fascinating testament to the lost culture of the Californios and a precursor of fusion culture. . . .Originally dedicated to her six nieces, this book is now [Pinedo's] gift to 21st century Latinas." Pinedo included tips on preparing Basque, Spanish, and Mexican cuisine. Some are variations on traditional dishes, such as chilaquiles, chiles rellenos, and salsa (she offers 15 versions) and even some Anglo favorites, such as ham and eggs (she labels it "huevos hipócritas"). The book is $24.95 from the University of California Press. Happy Mexican Independence Day!
