Customer Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful and authentic!
Comment: This book contains a collection of carefully crafted recipes that will satisfy everyone. While some of the recipes can be a bit labor intensive, they are all very doable. And, you will never regret the time spent when you taste the results!
And, thanks to the number quality markets across the country today, almost all of the ingredients are now attainable.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: a bit too pure oaxacan for my purchasing area
Comment: I like to buy unusual cookbooks. When I saw the word Oaxaca I wasn't even sure what part of the world it belongs too. Then I saw a special on Food TV about Oaxaca, and I got interested and went back to the cookbooks I had seen.This cookbook strives for purity of recipes. Sadly, we don't live in Oaxaca, so the ingrediants are unavailable here.
The book is a nicely bound hardback, with a lot of interesting text on what life in Oaxaca is like. I had a good time reading it, and I'm glad I bought it, but it will be difficult for me to locate many of the ingrediants, even with the specialty stores on the internet now.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent recipes, but rather condescending
Comment: I found the recipes, especially those of moles, to be excellent when prepared. The text is very straightforward and the descriptions of techniques and spices was very helpful. One thing that kept detracting my attention was the sometimes condescending tone that many of the necessary ingredients will never (or rarely) be found 'north of the border,' and thus the approximations that we Americans must make will never measure up to real Oaxacan cuisine. A rather disturbing little quirk in an othewise excellent cookbook.
Customer Rating:
Summary: An intimate journey of Food and Tradition!
Comment: Details. What I love about Zarela's writing is her attention to details. The recipes and stories inspired me to take a trip to Oaxaca. I garden and was looking for the elusive Oregano de Oaxaca! I will share this with you; If you are going to Oaxaca just to sample the food, there is no need. Cook the recipes. You are there! This book is worth it's weight in love!
Customer Rating:
Summary: These recipes really impressed my Oaxacan husband !
Comment: Many practical recipes can be found in this book and they are good for. Probably the best part of the book is the Basics of Oaxacan Cooking, including an explanation of different chiles and techniques. My favorite recipe is "Gallina en Tesmole". The yellow and green mole recipes are also excellent. I have impressed many Oaxaquenos with recipes from this book, and I am just learning to cook Mexican-style. Highly recommended!
