Images by Andy Nowell
Mexico City native and the culinary force behind Port Adelaide’s La Popular Taqueria, Daniella Guevara Muñoz, is diving into her latest venture with a new cookbook, ‘Provecho: Real Mexican Food at Home’. Having grown up in and around the food culture of Mexico, Daniella is now sharing her expansive knowledge through detailed recipes and a look into the culinary traditions of her homeland.
‘Provecho’ covers more than 120 recipes inspired by Mexico’s street carts, taquerías, and family kitchens. The book begins with desayunos (breakfast), and journeys through sopas (soups), antojitos, garnachas, and entradas (snacks and starters), and celebrates a variety of platos fuertes (mains). Daniella also dedicates sections to mastering tacos, tostadas and tortas, alongside traditional bebidas (drinks), indispensable salsas and the art of making masa.
This cookbook goes well beyond simple recipes, instead offering a look into the history and customs of Mexican cuisine. Daniella provides guidance on essential cookware, pantry staples, and even suggests substitutions for more elusive ingredients. Each chapter is designed not only to instruct but also to inspire cooks to explore and apply classic Mexican flavours and techniques in their own kitchens.
Daniella has an impressive background. Before embracing her passion for food, she was a marine biologist and the director of Puerto Morelos Marine Park on the Yucatan Peninsula. Her shift to the culinary world was marked by her move to Adelaide in 2012 with her husband, Kor-jent van Dijk. Here, she found the perfect melding of her interests in community, food, and her Mexican heritage. This transition led to the creation of the underground dinner series, Mi Mero Mole, and eventually, the opening of La Popular Taqueria.
La Popular Taqueria has garnered acclaim as a top destination for authentic Mexican cuisine. Daniella’s expertise is increasingly recognised, making her a popular figure not only in the local dining scene but also at national food festivals and in features on SBS, The Guardian, and Broadsheet.
‘Provecho: Real Mexican Food at Home’ invites readers to dive into Mexican culinary practices. Whether planning a simple family meal or a festive gathering, Daniella’s recipes provide the roadmap to authentic and delicious Mexican fare.
For more information, click here.
More News
