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. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Tomatillo salsa & Breakfast Picadas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis
Salsa prep for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis
La Reina smoothie, named for its founder, for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Carnitas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Homemade masa tortillas by Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Shrimp in a spicy cream sauce for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Ceviche for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Achiote chicken for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by lifestyle and food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Deepa Shridhar, Maritza Vasquez & Reyna Vazquez, Image by cookbook photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Veracruzano-style chicken stew for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Veracruzano-style crab soup for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Veracruzano-style Snapper for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Chicken in red pumpkin seed sauce for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Chicken and vegetable stew (caldo de pollo) for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Grilled pompano for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
The sisters behind Veracruz All Natural. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
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. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Veracruz All Natural's breakfast tacos. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith, for their cookbook. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Veracruz All Natural makes fresh tortillas daily. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Shrimp and scallop aguachile for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Platanos y arroz con salsa verde for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Chilaquiles verde for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
All the migas and all the salsas for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Garlic chipotle shrimp for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.
Coconut rice with seafood for Veracruz All Natural's cookbook. Image by Austin-based food photographer, Mackenzie Smith. Food styling by Maite Aizpurua, props by Audrey Davis.