Cookbook Photographer: Mackenzie Smith
Food Stylist: Maite Aizpurua
Prop Stylist: Audrey K. Davis
Veracruz All Natural
Fresh Mexican Recipes from our American HOme
A new take on Mexican American cooking rooted in the fresh produce of coastal Veracruz, this is a deeply personal book from the immigrant sisters who founded the Veracruz All Natural restaurants in Austin, which enjoys a nationwide cult following of people who want to make their recipes.
Reyna and Maritza Vazquez grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. A rural coastal region, it is famous for its colorful, healthful cuisine. In Veracruz, cooking with red meat is rare, and local dishes are vegetable-forward with proteins like fish, shellfish, chicken, and eggs. Such are the one hundred recipes in Veracruz All Natural, inspired mostly by the home cooking with which the women grew up, along with easy favorites from their restaurants.
Throughout, Reyna and Maritza tell the story of their food, which, in turn, is their story: In 2008, they walked across the Mexican-US border. They made their way to Austin, Texas, where they sold roadside ices. With their first profit, they opened a humble food truck, and then a few more. Now, they have a fleet, plus a restaurant, La Fonda. It won a Michelin Gourmand Award last year. They are local heroes with a national story, beloved for their unparalleled food, of course, but also for their generosity, grit, and openness about their immigrant story.
Tacos de Bistec for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Tomatillo salsa for breakfast for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
The beginnings of homemade salsas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
La Reina smoothie, named for its founder, for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Carnitas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Homemade masa tortillas by Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Shrimp in a spicy cream sauce for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Ceviche for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Achiote chicken for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by lifestyle and food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Sisters, founders, friends of Veracruz All Natural. Image by cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruzano-style chicken stew for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruzano-style crab soup for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruzano-style Snapper for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Chicken in red pumpkin seed sauce for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Chicken and vegetable stew (caldo de pollo) for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Grilled pompano for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
The sisters behind Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook.
Sisters and founders of Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for their cookbook.
Sisters and founders grilling for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food and lifestyle photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruz All Natural's aguas frescas. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for Veracruz's cookbook.
The sisters and founders of Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Migas tacos for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
La Ley Smoothie for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruz All Natural's pantry. Image by Austin-based cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Green Pot Mole with beef for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruz founder Reyna Vasquez. Image by Austin-based food and cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Lentils with plantains and chorizo for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Bread pudding for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Veracruz All Natural's breakfast tacos. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for their cookbook.
Veracruz All Natural makes fresh tortillas daily. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Enfrijoladas topped with tomatillo salsa for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Shrimp and scallop aguachile for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Platanos y arroz con salsa verde for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Chilaquiles verde for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
All the migas and all the salsas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Garlic chipotle shrimp for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.
Coconut rice with seafood for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith.