Spicy Family Secrets

In this unique time in history, many people including myself are finding themselves in the kitchen cooking and baking from scratch. Though no one would describe me as a good cook, I come from a long line of restaurateurs and entrepreneurs. I tease that my Martinez family has many business owners because they don’t like being told what to do! In truth many before me were also very creative, hard-working, brave, highly intelligent and stubborn! That stubbornness was necessary because it wasn’t easy to have a minority owned business.

So I share with you now my family recipe. Yes, it’s quite different from my usual painting and jewelry posts but it is nonetheless creativity. I remember the meticulousness with which my dad wanted each plate leaving the kitchen. Enchiladas were to have the right shades of lettuce wrapped around the edge of the plate with exactly four thinly sliced tomatoes. He wanted the contrast between the yellow cheddar cheese against the vibrant red chile to be highlighted with shades of green.

I hope you find this recipe to be easy and delicious. I also hope a few of you can share stories of your time at La Cantina or stories of my stubborn grandma. As my memories start to fade, I treasure any new story.