I love cooking! I have so many memories of my mom and abuelita spending hours, sometimes days, preparing warm, comforting dishes like mole and tamales. But as much as I’d love to share these traditional favorites with my family, it’s just impossible most nights. I’m a busy working mom!
Fortunately for me and my family, there are Latina food bloggers who are here to save dinner, with a treasure trove of dishes that could easily have come from my madre’s kitchen…in a fraction of the time! Here, 15 favorites:
Quick & Easy Latin-Inspired Dinners
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Quesadillas
The classic Mexican dish is a favorite among kids because of the gooey cheese, but what makes this a perfect kid-friendly dinner is that you can put anything in your quesadilla--tomatoes, avocado, chicken--let your kid decide!
Source: Simply Recipes
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Bocadillo de Jamon Serrano y Manchego
Sandwich for dinner? Por supuesto! The Spanish ham and cheese sandwich uses thin slices of Jamon Serrano, a traditional dry-cured ham with incredible flavor and Manchego cheese, one of the most popular cheeses in Spain for its nutty sweet taste. Hmmm!
Source: The Latin Kitchen
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Corn and Cotija Cheese Pizza
A fun new savory twist on the ultimate kid-favorite meal--pizza--using Cotija cheese, a crumbly Mexican cheese and sweet corn. Yum!
Source: The Latin Kitchen
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Bean & Cheese Burritos
When cut into bite size portions and served with your kids favorite fruit or sides, this classic Mexican meal will have your kids asking for the same cena mañana.
Source: The Dinner Daily
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Chicken Tomatillo Enchiladas
Rolled to savory perfection, this quick meal will have your kids all wrapped up in tonights dinner!
Source: The Latin Kitchen
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Latin-Style Meatballs
Bursting with flavor, you could eat them alone or with rice. Either way, this dish will be an instant family fave in your casa!
Source: Food.
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Cheese Pupusas
Made to gooey perfection, these traditional Salvadoran cheese-stuffed thick tortillas will be a toasty dinner treat for your kids.
Source: Serious Eats
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Spanish Tortilla
The eat-any-time tortilla española use potatoes, onions, and eggs to make a healthy and delicious dinner your kids will love!
Source: Smitten Kitchen
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Arroz Con Pollo
The classic Spanish chicken and rice dish is the perfect all-in-one meal that includes many nutrients--protein, veggies and rich spices.
Source: Simply Recipes
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Tilapia With Mango Salsa
As with many kid meals, getting your children to eat foods like fish involves some fun preparation--and toppings. In this case, the mango salsa does the yummy trick.
Source: My Mommy Style
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Avocado and Hibiscus Tacos
This easy vegetarian dish pairs rich, smooth avocado with the exotic flavor of hibiscus flower.
Source: Piloncillo Y Vainilla
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Beans, Rice, and Pork Chops
Pork is seasoned with recaito and
sofrito sauces, both popular in Latin cooking.Note: Find canned adobo in the Hispanic foods section of your supermarket.
Source: Analida's Ethnic Spoon
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Steak Picado with Spanish Rice
One taste of this hearty steak and rice dinner and no one will suspect it came together so quickly.
Note: Save even more time by using canned chiles instead of fresh --they're already de-veined and de-seeded.
Source: Nibbles and Feasts
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Sancocho Stew
Filled with beef and traditional Latin-American ingredients such as yucca and plantain, this traditional stew from Puerto Rica is a crowd pleaser.
Source: The Noshery
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Cactus Huaraches
Nopales (cactus paddles) are a traditional Mexican favorite packed with nutrition. In this recipe they're served with a medley of fresh veggies.
Note: Look for prepared paddles with the thorns removed at your local Hispanic market.
Source: Nibbles and Feasts
