Mesa Fresca Recipes

Steps:

• Knead the masa, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/3 cup water in a large bowl with your hands until well incorporated and the masa is soft and pliable but doesn't stick to your hands, about 4 minutes. If the masa is still dry or crumbly, add a tablespoon or two more water and continue to mix.
• Cut and remove the zip top from a gallon freezer bag. Cut the two sides of the bag leaving the bottom intact so that the bag can open and close like a book. If using a tortilla press, trim the cut sides of the bag to fit the flat surface of the tortilla press. (If you don't have a tortilla press, you can use a smooth-bottomed 10-inch skillet to press and flatten the tortillas. Use the plastic in the same way you would use with the press except place it between the countertop or work surface and the bottom of the skillet.)
• Divide the dough into 12 balls about 1/4 cup each (or 54g.). Arrange them on a rimmed baking sheet and keep covered with a damp kitchen towel until ready to use.
• Heat a medium cast-iron skillet or large griddle over medium-high heat.
• Place the prepared plastic bag inside the press so that the folded side of the bag is on the hinged side of the press. Working with one dough ball at a time, open the press and the top side of the bag and place a ball in the center of the press. Fold the bag over the ball and gently press, holding a steady, firm pressure for a few seconds to flatten the ball to a 7-inch round. Open the press and peel the top bag from the dough. Place the dough on your open palm and peel off the remaining plastic.
• Brush the preheated pan with vegetable oil. Working with one at a time (unless using a large griddle), cook the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side, flipping 3 times, until just starting to brown in spots, 90 seconds total. Stack and wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and keep warm. Repeat pressing and cooking the remaining dough balls.
• Serve the tortillas warm.

Steps:

• Add the tomatoes, jalapeño, onions, cilantro and lime juice to a bowl and mix to combine. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for at least an hour for all the flavors to come together.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Drizzle the swordfish with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides. Place on the direct-heat side of the grill and cook until nicely charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Move to the indirect-heat side of the grill, close the lid and cook until cooked through, another 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the grill to rest, about 5 minutes. Serve the swordfish with the salsa spooned over the top.

Steps:

• Puree 2 cups chopped peeled cucumbers, the juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons agave syrup, 1/2 cup mint and 1 cup water in a blender. Chill 30 minutes, then strain, pressing on the solids. Divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with cucumber and lime slices.

Steps:

• Place minced onion in a bowl and cover with cold water. Add vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes or longer. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir in onions. (If your tomatoes are full of flavor, you won't need lime juice.) Ideally, let stand at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before eating so that flavors will blend and ripen.

Steps:

• Make the hibiscus syrup: In a saucepan, combine the hibiscus blossoms and 1 cup water, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the sugar and salt, stir to dissolve, then turn off heat and allow to cool completely. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the syrup. (You should have about 1 1/4 cup syrup.) Keep it in the refrigerator, tightly covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 weeks.
• Make the cocktail: In an ice-filled shaker, combine the mezcal, hibiscus syrup, allspice dram, grapefruit juice and lime juice. Cover and shake until well chilled. Fill a rocks glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass and top with soda water.