Mexico City-born Chef Julian Medina is one of the most successful and preeminent Mexican food restaurateurs in New York City. Besides El Fish Shack, his empire includes Toloache, Coppelia, Tacuba, La Chula, and the recently acclaimed Kuxe.
One special annual recipe Julian is known for: Mexican-influenced Hanukkah latkes.
MOLCAJETE
There are different shapes but this one is the most popular. Why? The friction with two volcanic rocks just breaks the flavors.
This gets better with age. If you fill it, it like super super smooth, that friction gives it life.
I grew up making guacamole with this. My dad's recipe, basically. We put onions, jalapenos, lime juice, and then we kind of grind them together with the salt. We make a paste.
Then we put in the avocados. No tomatoes. Nothing else. Then we finish it with salt and cilantro.
I grew up having this on my kitchen counter.
It's funny. I don't even have to teach my staff how to use them. They grow up, their parents and their mothers making salsa since they were babies.
THIS IS LIKE A CAST IRON FOR ME.
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