Cu Diane - Claudias cocina: a taste of Mexico

Published in 2016 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang
An imprint of ABRAMS

MasterChef is a trademark of Shine Television, LLC and used under license.
The MasterChef logo is a trademark of Shine Limited and used under license.
All rights reserved. MasterChef is based on a format created by Franc Roddam in association with Ziji Productions.

2016 Shine Television, LLC
Photographs copyright 2016 Todd Porter and Diane Cu-Porter

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015949318

ISBN: 978-1-61769-189-8
eISBN: 978-1-61312-944-9

Editor: Samantha Weiner
Designer: Danielle Young
Production Manager: True Sims

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PARA TI MADRE,
FOR YOU YANI,
Y PARA USTEDES
ABUELAS COTI Y HERMELINDA

contents

CONTENIDO

foreword

PRLOGO

What exactly is a MasterChef? Is it someone who has mastered the art of cooking? Someone who can properly run a professional kitchen? Maybe its someone who can think outside the (mystery) box and handle large amounts of pressure (tests). The truth is, its a combination of all the above. This past season, after whittling down the best home cooks from literally thousands of people across the country, Gordon Ramsay, Christina Tosi, and I finally decided on the one person who was deserving of this titleher name was Claudia Sandoval.

In this, her first-ever book, Claudia takes us inside her cocina, showing us the ins and outs of her style of cooking, a style that is as authentic as it is delicious. From dishes rooted in classical Mexican cuisine to fun and creative takes on Southern California fare, Claudia shows that one of the most important things people can do in the kitchen is find their own voice. The great news is that she clearly has done just that. The recipes included in this book scream at the top of their lungs with flavor and hit nothing but high notes!

People often ask us judges, How did you decide on the winner? Obviously there is a ton of discussion, debating, splitting hairs, and going back and forth, highlighting the pros and cons of the finalists and their respective time spent in the MasterChef kitchen. But at the end of the day, we ask ourselves a couple of questions. Whose house or restaurant would we want to dine in tonight? Whose book would we want to go out and buy tomorrow? This season, time and time again it was Claudias name that came up.

With that said, there was something else that we all noticed as well. While some contestants excelled in particular styles or cuisines, Claudia was so well-rounded that she could jump from an amazing layer cake in one challenge to an awe-inspiring dish she seemed to pull out of nowhere in a mystery box challenge. When it came to the finale, we realized the amazing fact that not only did Claudia possess the ability to make her own authentic dishes, but she could also cook the food the other contestants were serving. Meanwhile, no other contestant was able to replicate Claudias food, and this set her far apart from the rest.

All of that skill, technique, and creativity is what helped Claudia be crowned Americas next MasterChef, and that is the reason why you are now holding her book in your hands. It is more than simply a cookbook; it is a living document of Claudias culinary journey. The recipes are chock-full of heart and soul, each displaying flavors and techniques that youll keep with you in your foodie toolbox for years to come.

Let the pages guide you through the rich history of her cooking style. Use it as a reference for the classics or as a jumping-off point as you create something of your very own. Cookbooks are most useful when they are seen as an inspirational blueprint. Just as Claudia was able to find her own voice through cooking, you too can discover your own style through the experience of Claudias Cocina.

Graham Elliot

introduction

INTRODUCCIN

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN ENDURE MUCH MORE THAN WE THINK WE CAN. FRIDA KAHLO

It is often said that dreamers are the only people who actually get to fulfill their dreams. Today I still feel like I am dreaming.

I remember feeling negative and defeated in the days leading up to the MasterChef auditions. I was drumming up every single excuse I could to continue living my paycheck-to-paycheck life. I was a single mom who provided a living for her daughter and was still striving to find her place in the professional world and in life. With no savings, no childcare, and little hope in my heart, I tried to convince myself that I couldnt afford to take that kind of risk. When I think back to that time now, I see how close I was to letting fear dictate my life.

No mas! (No more!) It was time for a change. My creativity was stagnant and I was craving the opportunity to show the world what I was capable of. I just had to take that chance. The months spanning from the audition to the train ride to Los Angeles passed in a hurried and emotional blink of the eye. I walked away from my daughter at four in the morning as she cried and begged me not to leave. But I was determined.

A single mother raised me. A mother who never faltered in going to work, making a living, and keeping food in our bellies and a roof over our heads. A mother who taught me the value of never giving up, dusting yourself off, and keeping your chin up high toward the sky. She embodied hope and never allowed us to fret.

While my heart broke that morning, I knew that I had one mission. I needed to win. Not only because it would change our lives forever, but because taking this opportunity would show my daughter and others that we cannot continue to hold ourselves back. We cannot continue to allow fear and complacency to stymie us and keep us from our true passions and calling. We must rise above the negativity cloud and into the open air of full-fledged flight. Had I not left that day, I would not be writing this book.