Amazing! Fun! Productive! These are the words that comes to mind when I think about my two days at Expo Comida Latina Texas.  The class of exhibitors reflected only the best in quality products available to the food industry.  

What I like to do at the Expo is walk the show floor on the day of the event and select food items that peak my interest and incorporate them into my culinary demonstration.  While understanding the vulnerable position this places me in – discovering whether or not a product works in the kitchen in front of an audience – I find great pleasure in incorporating new items available in the Hispanic marketplace.  Here is my list of some of the items I used:

Ace Mart provided me with all my kitchen toys…I mean tools.  Mamycha offered such a great variety of products of beans, grains, dairy, bakery, preserves, and fresh and frozen items – I especially love that they have exotic fresh and frozen tropical fruits like guava, passion fruit and cashew fruit.  Chefs and cooks everywhere can create exotic treats without worrying about their location.  

I was really happy to see that the Marquez Brothers/El Mexicano exhibited this year.  They are from my own backyard in California – they are well known and trusted for quality products.  I used their Cotija Cheese on flautas and enfrijoladas, which I concocted from enchiladas potosinas.  I paired shrimp rolls with sweet and sour sauce and a spicy salsa with the dry chiles I roasted.  

I always try and search for healthy products.  I was impressed with the overall flavor and texture of Oloods flour tortillas that have 0 Trans fats! I paired them with a lamb dish I prepared.  Jalape from Goya provided kick to my Chino Latino Chicken, and I added chipotle salsa to my mashed potatoes – the audience could not get enough.

I converted day old conchitas sweet bread from Bakemark into tres leches using milk from Borden and La Lechera. Kikkoman soy sauce was used in several marinades and in my chino latino fried rice.  Tostadas and Taco shells from Los Pericos was featured on the CBS Great Day Houston Show I appeared in, and of course they were spiced up with Tapatio Sauce.

Bancomext always sponsors an impressive pavilion from Mexico.  Del Real had amazing food to match their gorgeous booth.  La Preferida carries just about everything to stock a Latin pantry, so I stocked up! 

Liquid Assets kept the audience and I hydrated with margaritas and Los Gallitos mariachi kept us all singing and dancing.  I can go on and on about all my great finds, but I am heading out to grab myself some Texas BBQ before I head home to California  – the show was a great time had by all.

Chef Lala
Contributing Editor, Comida News