May: Time to Celebrate Ethnic Cooking in Changing America

MIAMI, April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- According to ethnic cooking expert Chef Ana Garcia, the changing face of America, the trend toward cooking at home and "cooking the real deal" are the most important emerging ethnic cooking trends.

Chef Garcia is part of IMUSA'S chef program. IMUSA is the leading brand of Hispanic housewares. Their chef program is the first to showcase the best chefs from the world of Latin cooking. Chef Garcia owns La Villa Bonita Cooking School and Culinary Hotel in Tepoztlan, Mexico.

Culinary trends cited by Chef Garcia illustrate our changing demographic. The emergence of Latinos as the largest minority group in the US impacts what is available in stores, restaurants, and on dinner tables. Items like tortillas, salsa, sofrito and cilantro have become so common that we forget they are Latin in origin.

Tapas bars have also been essential in introducing "Latin" to diners, with the combination of tasty Latin delicacies in a festive environment. Home cooks are bringing these exciting new flavors home as part of their cooking repertoire.

With both Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo occurring in May, this is the ideal time to explore Latin cooking. The reverence of Mama found in Latin cultures also makes Mother's Day (May 9, 2010) an even more important holiday. In Latin cultures, Mama is the energy behind the family, and cooking for her family is the energy behind Mama!

For a special Mother's Day or Cinco de Mayo gift for your Mom, motherly figure or favorite foodie, consider an authentic Latino-inspired kitchen gadget:

• Americans have adopted Guacamole like a native son. Its prevalence can't be understated! Consider an authentic stone Molcajetes (mortar and pestle) for making and serving Guacamole.
• Citrus Squeezers are another Latin mainstay gadget to add to your kitchen. Lime or Lemon squeezers give you all the juice without the seeds!
• Use a Molinillo to make authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate. Made of "turned" wood, it is the Mexican "whisk" used to froth warm drinks like hot chocolate. Chile Pepper, cinnamon and cloves make this drink special, warm or not.
• Stop wrapping your tortillas in kitchen towels and get an authentic 7" Tortilla Warmer.

For more authentic Latin housewares, recipes and cooking techniques, visit http://www.IMUSAUSA.com. For more than 70 years, IMUSA has been the leading housewares brand in South, Central, and North America.

SOURCE IMUSA