Try a colourful, fresh taste of Mexican vegetarian cuisine with this satisfying dessert
The Mexican Vegetarian Cookbook uncovers the lighter, healthier side of this country's cookery
Margarita Carrillo Arronte has done more than most to elevate the standing of Mexican cuisine. The author, chef and TV host successfully campaigned for Mexican cuisine to be entered into UNESCO”s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; she served as the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture’s official chef; and she has organised Mexican food festivals and several gala dinners at such prestigious events as the G-20 Summit in 2012, The World Economic forum in Davos, and the United Nation Climate Change Conference in Cancún.
Still, she knows that, for some people, Mexican food is viewed as something that’s fun and fast, but sometimes not so nutritious. She doesn’t dispute those first two qualities, but in her new book, The Mexican Vegetarian Cookbook, she does dig into the culinary heritage of this remarkable North American country, to reveal its surprisingly light and healthy plant-based offerings.
As the author explains, plants such as maize were domesticated long before ancient Mesoamerican cooks had access to livestock, and the country’s wide biodiversity offered those early cooks a huge range of fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, edible flowers. This natural store of vegetarian gastronomy lives on in today’s Mexican food, which, for those who know how to cook it, is healthy and delicious.
Consider, for example, the book’s postres or desserts section. There are lots of light and fruit dishes in here, such as roasted pineapple, poached papaya, and fresh fig cake (that’s the complete dinner-party showstopper, pictured above). To make the cake you’ll need ½ lb/2 kg of ripe but firm, fresh figs; ⅓ cup (2¾ oz/75 g) of vanilla sugar; a cup (9 fl oz/250 ml) of whipping cream, plus extra to serve; 7–8 individual meringues; and maybe a ½ cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) cognac or brandy (that last ingredient is optional).
To make it, first peel the figs from the stem end downwards, then cut in half lengthwise. Line a fluted ring mould with plastic wrap (clingfilm) and arrange the figs cut side down, layering them with the vanilla sugar and pressing them a little with your fingers and the palm of your hand. Continue until you have used up all the figs and sugar, and the layers reach ¾ inch (2 cm) below the top rim of the mould.
Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight with something heavy on top of the figs to keep them compressed, such as food cans. A couple of hours before serving, whisk the whipping cream to firm peaks. Spread the cream over the figs, cover with plastic wrap and return to the refrigerator to set. Immediately before serving, remove the mould from the refrigerator and peel back the plastic wrap. Press the peaks of the meringues into the cream, so their flat bases are level with the surface of the cream, spacing them evenly around the ring mould. Flip the mould upside down onto a round serving platter. Using the plastic wrap lining to help you lift off the ring mould.
The Vegetarian Mexican Cookbook
Finally, if the mood takes you, heat the cognac or brandy carefully in a metal ladle over a direct flame and, using a long match, ignite and very carefully pour over the figs. Let the flames subside before serving, with whipped cream. For more on this recipe, as well as much more besides, order a copy of The Vegetarian Mexican Cookbook here.