If you’re looking for an abuelita or a Mexican mama to hold your hand has you navigate the basics of Mexican cooking, this is your book. Author Mely Martínez — creator of the popular bilingual ‘Mexico in My Kitchen’ blog — makes it all deliciously approachable. Read our review.

$26 at Bookshop - buy now

$17 at Amazon - buy now

PBS star Pati Jinich’s third book spotlights dishes — classic and more personal — that Jinich turned up all over Mexico. Marvelously inspiring, it’s more for experienced cooks than beginners. Read our review.

$32 at Bookshop - buy now

$25 at Amazon - buy now

This stunning 2015 book from Mexican super-chef Enrique Olvera is amazing at so many levels. “Inside Out” refers to inside the restaurant and outside (at home). Still, there are recipes in the “inside” section that are eminently do-able at home. Photos are gorgeous and there’s an excellent glossary of dishes at the end. Would be a great gift for anyone who has visited (or is about to visit) Pujol in Mexico City — or who loves to cook. Read more.

$60 at Bookshop - buy now

$165 at Amazon - buy now

This beautiful book from L.A. chef Josef Centeno, who grew up in San Antonio, Texas, mixes up deliciously inventive cheffy spins on Tex-Mex with soulful faves from his family. Follow those, and you’ll learn a lot along the way. Read our review.

$28 at Bookshop - buy now

$18 at Amazon - buy now

Alex Stupak, chef-owner of NYC’s Empellon restaurants, and Jordana Rothman teamed up on this inspiring 2015 book. It’s rather cheffy, but the recipes work, and they’re very good. Read more.

$30 at Bookshop - buy now

$22 at Amazon - buy now