Coco: The Official Cookbook

Gr 9 Up–Garcia is a chef, researcher, writer, recipe developer, and blogger at “MextizoPNW.” In this book, Garcia has tapped into those skills and written a mouth-watering volume of Mexican cookery. Eager chefs will find standard and lesser-known Mexican delicacies, including chocolate and strawberry tamale recipes. Overall, the recipes reflect the geographic and cultural influences of Coco, with Spanish used throughout, though it is not consistently translated. Garcia does offer ingredient explanation and cultural information with the recipes, which are categorized into main dishes, sides, masa-focused, drinks, sweet breads, and pastries. The book assumes that cooks have prior knowledge and experience, thus making it a better fit for young adult or adult nonfiction collections. Chefs are expected to have a well-stocked kitchen, including a steamer, blender, and stand mixer—a tortilla press is optional. Coco fans will find recipe introductions relating to the film. For those with dietary needs, whether the food item is gluten or dairy free, vegan, vegetarian, or contains nuts is noted. The photographs are temptingly delicious, with illustrations of flowers, skulls, and other Coco-related items added.