For pickled red onion and jalapeños:Place onion and jalapeños in heatproof medium bowl. Mix vinegar, lime juice, and salt in small saucepan. Bring just to boil, stirring until salt dissolves. Pour over onion and jalapeños. Let stand at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) For baja cream:Whisk all ingredients in small bowl. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate...

Char chiles over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 15 minutes. Peel and seed chiles, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Preheat oven to 350F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Combine 1 1/2 cups corn, eggs, and next 3 ingredients in blender. Blend until almost smooth. Transfer mixture to large bowl...

Heat oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic to skillet; sauté 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer garlic to large bowl. Add hazelnuts to skillet; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl with garlic. Add plantains and sauté until light golden, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to same bowl. Add apples; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes...

Preheat oven to 400F. Wrap beets individually in foil. Roast until beets are tender, about 1 hour. Cool. Peel beets, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.)Fold Swiss chard leaves in half lengthwise and cut stalks away from leaves. Cut leaves coarsely into 1-inch pieces. Slice stalks thinly crosswise. Reserve stalks and leaves separately...

Stir chocolate, milk, and salt in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until chocolate melts. Stir constantly until all sugar in chocolate is dissolved, about 13 minutes. Add rum to chocolate; using long match, immediately ignite rum. Carefully stir chocolate mixture with long spoon until flames subside. Transfer chocolate to large bowl. Cool to room temperature.Using electric mixer, beat 3 cups cream in large bowl until peaks form...

Stir together flour with salt in a bowl, then cut in lard with a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles meal. Drizzle vegetable oil over and stir in warm water with a fork until a dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes, dusting hands occasionally with flour if dough is sticky.Form dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest 1 hour...

Char peppers over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 15 minutes. Peel and seed peppers, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide strips. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add button mushrooms; sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until mushrooms are softened but still hold shape, about 7 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons oil to same skillet...

For dressing:Preheat broiler. Place garlic cloves on small baking sheet; broil until golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add onion slices; cook until light brown and slightly softened, about 7 minutes per side. Finely chop garlic and onion. Whisk pomegranate juice and next 4 ingredients in small bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup oil. Mix in onion and garlic. Season with salt and pepper...

Make caramel:Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350F. Heat soufflé dish in oven while making caramel. Cook 1 cup sugar in a dry 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar melts into a deep golden caramel. Wearing oven mitts, remove hot dish from oven and immediately pour caramel into dish, tilting it to cover bottom and side...

Preheat oven to 300F. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and bell peppers; sauté until tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Add turkey, salsa, and cumin; stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and cilantro; season generously with salt and pepper. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm...

Preheat oven to 200F. Put an ovenproof platter in oven to warm. Heat dry comal over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic, turning with tongs, until all are blackened in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. 3Remove from heat, then transfer tomatoes and 2 onion slices to a blender. Peel garlic and add to blender along with lime juice, chile, and 1/2 teaspoon salt...

1. In a 2-quart microwave-safe casserole micro-cook potatoes and water, covered, on 100-percent power (high) for 7 to 11 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring once. Drain. 2. Meanwhile, in a small microwave-safe bowl combine picante sauce, lime juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Cook, uncovered, on high for 30 to 60 seconds or until heated through. Add sauce to cooked potatoes...

1. Place broth in large saucepan or Dutch oven; add chicken. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Remove chicken from broth. Let stand until cool enough to handle. 2. Skin, bone, and finely shred chicken; set aside. Discard skin and bones. Strain broth through large sieve or colander lined with two layers of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth...

1. Lightly coat a 10-inch skillet with nonstick spray coating. Add onion and garlic; cook until tender. 2. Stir in chicken, tomato sauce, and green chilies; heat through. 3. Divide chicken mixture among taco shells. Top with lettuce, tomato, and cheese...

In a bowl stir together apricots or peaches, avocado, tomato, lime or lemon peel, lime or lemon juice, green onion, and rosemary. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours...

1. Combine sausage, onion, and sweet pepper in a skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes or until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain well. Stir in beans and salsa; cook until heated through. 2. Arrange half the chips on a 12-inch round microwave-safe platter. Spoon half the sausage mixture evenly over chips. Top with half the cheese...

In a medium saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in cumin; cook for 30 seconds. Carefully add broth, peas, tomato and cilantro. Bring mixture to boiling; stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired...

1. In a large nonstick skillet cook sweet peppers and onion in 1 teaspoon of the oil for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in cumin and chili powder. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in cilantro. Set vegetables aside. 2. Spread cream cheese over half of 1 side of each tortilla. Top with pepper mixture. Fold tortilla in half over peppers, pressing gently. 3. Place tortillas on an ungreased large baking sheet...

1. Thaw shrimp and scallops, if frozen. In a large saucepan bring water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to boiling. Add shrimp and scallops. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 to 3 minutes or until shrimp and scallops turn opaque, stirring occasionally. Drain shrimp and scallops; cover and chill. 2. Meanwhile, set aside 1 cup of the chopped tomato, 1 cup of the chopped cucumber, and 1/2 cup of the chopped green pepper...

1. Lightly coat a 10-inch skillet with nonstick spray coating. Add onion and garlic; cook until tender. 2. Stir in chicken, tomato sauce, and green chilies; heat through. 3. Divide chicken mixture among taco shells...

1. In a 2-1/2-quart glass salad bowl layer black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, olives, and onion. 2. For dressing, in a medium bowl stir together avocado dip, sour cream, chili peppers, milk, garlic, and chili powder. Spread over the top of the salad. If desired, sprinkle with chopped tomato. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. 3...

1. For pineapple salsa, in a medium bowl gently stir together pineapple, mandarin oranges, sweet pepper, and picante sauce. Set aside. 2. Trim fat from steak. Thinly slice steak across the grain. Sprinkle with Mexican seasoning; toss to coat evenly. In a large skillet cook and stir half of the seasoned steak in hot oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or to desired doneness. Remove from skillet. Repeat with remaining steak. 3...

1. In a skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the tortillas, one at a time, for 2 minutes or until crispy, turning once. Drain on paper-towel-lined baking sheet. 2. Place one tortilla on each of 4 serving plates. Top with some lettuce and 1/4 of the beans. Arrange 4 or 5 shrimp in a circle over the beans; sprinkle shrimp with lime juice. 3...

1. Combine sausage, onion, and sweet pepper in a skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes or until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain well. Stir in beans and salsa; cook until heated through. 2. Arrange half the chips on a 12-inch round microwave-safe platter. Spoon half the sausage mixture evenly over chips. Top with half the cheese...

1. If desired, partially freeze beef for easier slicing. If using steak, trim fat from meat. Cut beef or chicken into bite-size strips. 2. Wrap tortillas tightly in foil. Heat in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until heated through. Meanwhile, heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat...