This dish was the surprise of the year. The ingredients might seem ordinary, but trust us—it's fantastic.

Crema—a Mexican cultured heavy cream similar to sour cream—is often drizzled over enchiladas and tostadas and added to side dishes and sauces. Here it lends a tangy balance to rich avocado and sweet corn....

A cemita is an oversize, slightly sweet, sesame seed bun that gives this Pueblan sandwich its name.

If you find you’ve bought a melon that isn’t the greatest, use it in smoothies, daiquiris, or Margaritas. And don’t waste the seeds and juice—make melon seed aguas frescas....

These hors d'oeuvres should be served warm, so reheat the arepas in batches as platters need replenishing.

We made an already simple recipe even easier by omitting brand names from the ingredient list. Almost any tequila will do—but after experimenting with several different beers, we found we prefer a lighter-style lager here. This recipe can be...