This is a very simple recipe for masa, to make tamales.  Feel free to use this recipe as it is and fill your tamales with something as simple as cheese and a spoonful of salsa.  Or get creative and come up with something more daring like the chocolate tamales.  (When I make chocolate tamales I add chocolate ganache, coco powder and brown sugar to this basic masa recipe.)

For a slightly sweet masa, add a little bit of sugar.  If you add corn kernels to your slightly sweet masa it makes a great tamale also.  You can fill this masa, or when your tamales are ready to be served you can serve it with something like a tomatillo sauce (pg. 148 Isabel’s Cantina) spooned over the tamales.

BASIC TAMALE MASA
1 ½-cups masa harina
1/2-cup vegetable shortening (or other fat such as olive oil, corn oil, … (more…)

A sincere “thank you” to all of you who attended either of the tamale classes.  I really had a great time meeting everyone.  What I had in mind to do when we started talking about this is to have some fun “foodie” events (unique to just a cooking class) some of them interactive (like the tamale class), some sit down meals with wine tastings or cocktails, and even some author foodie events (like the one coming up June 26 with Adam Schell- click here for info).

I also want to thank you for being in the first of our classes.  I know there are improvements we can make, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I have quite few things in mind myself (wearing a microphone for one).

If anybody that attended either of the classes would like to stop by the restaurant … (more…)

(Written by Neens: Customer/Blogger/Photographer)  There’s really not much to say about the event tonight, simply because it was AMAZING! Isabel and Warwick’s teamed up to host a cooking class and book signing at Cantina. The event sold out (and even overflowed for a second event June 1st), so I knew it was going to be a good one. As soon as the 50 or so eager culinary students signed in, the fun began! I’ll let the photos tell the story, but just to be informative for those that missed out, here’s a short summary of what took place….

You get to learn how to make a variety of tamales including CHOCOLATE tamales, as well as sopes (super tasty!), a refreshing citrus-ey beverage in time for summer, and balsamic dressing. Isabel and her crew don’t just teach … (more…)

Hello all! This is Neens reporting for Isabel’s Cantina.  We wanted to bring you into the kitchen so you can see how Isabel’s famous tamales are made. After skimming through these photos, we know you’ll be hungry, so don’t hesitate to ride your beach cruiser down to Cantina for some “delish” tamales. If you want to go even deeper and learn how to make the tamales, Warwick’s La Jolla and Isabel’s Cantina are having an event on Wednesday May 20th, where Isabel herself will teach you how to wrap, roll, and steam up some “down south” flavor. (Helpful Hint: If you failed to remember Mother’s Day last Sunday, this would be the perfect event to make it up. Mom only deserves the very best and most tasty!)  For more information on the event, please click here.

TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES TO SEE … (more…)

What do I like about food? Everything! Food is my passion. At breakfast, I’m thinking about lunch. At lunch, I’m thinking about dinner. I like the shopping (going to local Farmers’ Markets and exploring any ethnic grocery stores that cross my path) the prepping and most importantly I like the eating.

I come from a long line of Latino cooks. I grew up with espresso, black beans and rice, dark rum, roasted chickens, olive oil, garlic, lemon, cilantro etc.etc… Big family gatherings centered around food were a common ritual in my home. There was never a lack of loud music; loud talk; and loud, colorful food. When I was four, my mother gave me an easy bake oven. She is convinced that is what sparked my food obsession. I’m sure it helped, but I think it was the “family thing” that gave me the food thing.

I wasn’t always thrilled … (more…)

There’s nothing like a lettuce wrap to bring you into spring.  The perfect balance of hot and cool, these lettuce wraps make you feel light and satiated at the same time.You can serve these as a starter, or, when paired with brown rice and salsa, as a main dish. Serves 4 as an appetizer or 2 as a main course.What you’ll need:2 tablespoons olive oilTwo 8-ounceboneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch dice8 lettuce leaves (preferably green leaf lettuce)Soy Joy sauce (recipe below)1 avocado, dicedHeat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Put the chicken in the pan and cook, stirring, until the chicken is lightly browned. When the chicken is almost cooked through (at about 4 minutes) … (more…)