Brazo de Reina From 'Yucatán'

Brazo de reina is a large tamal filled with hardboiled eggs and served in generous slices. The name translates to "Queen's arm," which does little to describe the delightful complexity of the dish. David Sterling's recipe may be time-consuming, but what emerges at the end of the process is a glorious representation of the flavors of the Yucatán.

Papadzules From 'Yucatán'

A dish of egg-filled tortillas smothered in a smooth, rich pumpkin seed and epazote broth, papadzules are fixtures of cantinas and restaurants throughout the region. Papadzules are not totally unlike enchiladas moles, but, lacking the cheese and chilies of the more recognizable sauce, the dish is far more delicate.

Salsa Quemada (Roasted Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa)

Salsa Quemada is a smoky fire-roasted Mexican salsa featuring tomatoes, tomatillos, garlic, and chiles. It's a delicious table salsa, perfect for dipping tortilla chips.

Chicken with Tomatillo and Red Chile Sauce

Piloncillo takes extremely well to spicy sauces flavored with dried chiles, as well as to the juicy tartness of tomatillos. This is my go-to chile sauce for recipes like tacos, enchiladas, and chilaquiles. Use it with or separately from the chicken that braises in it (the recipes makes extra sauce, which can be frozen and used later).

Red Enchilada Sauce

Short on ingredients, it's the process that transforms chiles and tomatoes into a sauce that has an incredibly robust tomato base with an earthy heat throughout—ready to make the best enchiladas ever.

Yucatán-Style Hot Dried-Chili Salsa (K'uut Bi Ik)

With minimal preparation, you can have an intensely smoky, fruity, fiery salsa on the table to heat up any taco night (or anything else you want spicier, really).

Patacones Con Hogao (Colombian-Style Fried Plantains with Tomato-Onion Sauce)

You can serve these as-is as a side dish (they commonly go with whole fried fish), or you can make a sauce for them.

Empanada sauce

A gorgeous smokey, tomato based empanada sauce that's delicately spiced with cumin. Great South American dipping sauce for empanadas!

Sikil P'aak From 'Yucatán'

For a dip so flavorful, sikil p'aak sure is ugly. A moderately chunky purée of ground pumpkin seeds, tomato purée, chiles, herbs, and onion, this hearty appetizer is a full expression of Yucatecan harvest time. I'll encourage you to ignore the appearance.

Charred Salsa Verde

Smoky, spicy, sweet, bright, and complex, this is the one salsa to rule them all. It only has four real ingredients and you can make it in 20 minutes.