The latest missive from our correspondent in Mexico, Jesus Chairez:
MÉXICO CITY — I love going into small bookstores to find treasures in the Big Enchilada. It’ll be a sad day when we go all-digital. For instance, I walked into Bodet, a small orderly bookstore located in Col. Santa Mara la Ribera, a bohemian, on-the-rise neighborhood. As I browsed, a book title glanced from the corner of my eye grabbed my attention: Cocina par Gays — Cooking for Gays. How did they mean it? A cookbook of recipes for gay people, or a way for heteros to prepare meals for their queer guests? Santa Maria added it first gay bar six months ago, so was Bodet preparing for the gays in the neighborhood?
I asked Bernardo Plasencia, Bodet’s owner, what it meant. He giggled and said, “I think gays know how to cook, so I thought, a gay cookbook for heterosexuals that have gay friends coming over for dinner — cool. Mexicans being helpful and thoughtful. I couldn’t help but think, ‘But where is the cookbook for lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals or even a cookbook for gay Latinos, something I could give as Christmas presents to my gringo friends?'”
One salad recipe in the book caught my attention: Ensalada de besos, or “salad of kisses.” It’s made with asparagus, strawberries, cubes of cheese — your choice. Yep, something I know I would just love to eat.
Among the other recipes, nothing seemed unusual, just regular graceful appetizers, salads, soups, entrées and desserts. And as the cover says, “Recetas fáciles y creativa (creative and easy recipes).”
