Delicious and authentic recipes from a northern Mexican home kitchen. In this vibrant and personal cookbook, Karla Zazueta explores the recipes, cooking techniques, ingredients and traditions passed down through the generations of her family. This is a true taste of northern Mexico, bursting with flavor, color and history. In Norteña, Karla Zazueta invites you to share the dishes and ways of cooking that she grew up with. Norteña--meaning "northerner"--tells the tale of the northern states of Mexico: of the coastlines and fresh seafood, the cattle ranches, sun- ripened fruits and vegetables, and family gatherings around the table. She shares easy-to-follow recipes for the world-famous Baja fish tacos, "piggy" pinto beans, vegan chorizo, crab tostadas, sopes (corn patties) piled with fresh vegetables and served in a tomato broth, and empanadas Californianas (shredded beef empanadas), all accompanied by mouth-watering spicy salsas, fresh queso and zingy salads. There are recipes para la sed (for the thirst), which include the best margaritas, and favorite sweets like Mexican flan and camotes (sweet potato poached until tender in a sweet, spiced syrup). With ingredient substitutes and vegetarian variations, you can recreate authentic dishes for everyone to enjoy. Engaging introductions describe the cultural events and influences that play such a huge part in the cuisine, such as for carne asada, which originated in the state of Sonora, or the tamales estilo Sinaloa, wrapped with special care at Christmas time. Influenced by Karla's family's traditions, her travels and tastes, each recipe is packed with flavor and cooked with love. Let yourself be transported to the Baja peninsula, rolling corn tortillas in the sun, sipping on a refreshing michelada and cooled by the breeze coming in from the sea. Contents Buenos Dias/Good Morning Esenciales Norteñas/Northern Essentials Algo Picosito/Something Spicy Del Huerto/From the Garden Del Mar/From the Sea Del Rancho/From the Ranch Final Dulce/Sweet Ending Para la Sed/For the Thirst Carne Asada/Mexican Feast