So many of us have our own idea of what ‘authentic’ ethnic food should taste like. Sometimes I find myself asking what makes a meal or dish authentic to me. Do I compare it to the home cooking I grew up with? Maybe it has something to do with the way the flavors meld, or even how the meat or vegetables are cooked?

If you’re a tough critic that wants a really authentic meal… try making it yourself :)! I really like how Annie_C uses chorizo in her Warm Chorizo and Chickpea Salad. Who says chorizo can only be served at breakfast? And who knew it could actually be part of a healthy dinner?

Tixrus gives us a great piece of advice! Don’t expect to the ’stuff in the jar’ to taste as good as the homemade version, especially if we’re talking about mole. Senora Camacho’s Mole is her secret to making an impressive spicy, sweet and savory Mexican sauce that’s good on pretty much anything.

IFoundHappy’s Homemade Chicken Tamales is a recipe that will impress even the toughest Mexican food critic! Though holidays are a great time to enjoy tamales, this is a recipe that’s worth making year around. Plus, she gives us all the details on how to do everything from spicing up the masa to rolling up the tamales, so we can easily make them authentic…at home!