At the Table with…Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack

Chef Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack has Latin cooking in her DNA. Her grandmother’s pumpkin empanadas were a family favorite – Marquez-Sharpnack inherited her grandma’s rolling pin when she passed and now uses it to make her own empanadas – and she, along with her mother and sister, co-authored the exquisitely photographed and award-winning Muy Bueno Cookbook, slated for release in Spanish mid-May. When she isn’t working on her book or culinary website she also develops recipes for Betty Crocker and contributes regularly to Parade.

Join us “At the Table with” Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack to find out her favorite Latin “cheat eats” and the kitchen gadget she can’t live without.

Dish you crave from your abuela: 

When I miss grandma I crave pumpkin empanadas made with fresh pumpkin. My grandma passed away in 2004 and every time I make pumpkin empanadas with her rolling pin that I inherited I feel as if she is here with me. The pumpkin simmers in piloncillo, cinnamon, and cloves and gives off a sweet and earthy scent. Whenever I smell cinnamon it evokes great memories of my grandma baking in the kitchen.

Secret ingredient to make a dish pop: 

I’m addicted to spice and more often than not I add a hint of chile (chipotle, Mexican chorizo, fresh jalapeños, ground chili powder) to all my meals. Spice doesn’t necessarily mean fiery and spicy, but it adds a little kick.

Favorite Latin restaurant in the U.S.: 

That’s a hard question! Mexican food is so personal. My mom’s house has the BEST Mexican food – no restaurant can compete. As for Latin food, I’ll say El Mesón. [They do] authentic Spanish cuisine in Santa Fe and have amazing Spanish tapas, paella, and sangria.

Favorite Latin restaurant in the world:

I’ll have to say Ajua Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They catered and hosted [my and my husband’s] destination wedding. They have the best wait staff and authentic Mayan and Mexican cuisine.

Favorite city to eat in: 

I live in the suburbs south of Denver and rarely leave my little bubble to go to the city. I love Denver because it is so hip and there are so many restaurant choices.

Secret to a perfect dinner party: 

Appetizers and cocktails! With food and drink stations set up on the kitchen island, guests can serve themselves. A signature cocktail that’s ready to pour and easy plus simple appetizers equals low stress. This works for an elegant dinner, a stand-alone even, or as a first course to backyard grilling.

Click on, for Yvette’s best memories of homemade tortillas, favorite cocktail, and more… 

Biggest food indulgence: 

Tortilla chips. They are so addicting and as the saying goes, I can’t have just one.

Favorite vegetable: 

I was going to say avocado, but avocados are actually a fruit. So I’ll have to say corn. I love summer and grilled corn on the cob.

Best food memory: 

Everyday afterschool I’d run to grandma’s house and watch her make homemade flour tortillas. Sometimes she would give me a small ball of dough and I’d roll out my own tortilla. Mine was always shaped like an oval; never perfectly round like grandma’s. My favorite way to eat a fresh warm tortilla is with a dollop of salsa casera, lightly salted, and rolled into one perfect spicy burrito.

Ideal breakfast, lunch and dinner: 

Breakfast: Chilaquiles Rojos

Lunch: A simple quesadilla made with Oaxaca or Asadero cheese and corn tortillas

Dinner: Enchiladas Verdes

Favorite Latin cocktail: 

I’m a sucker for a perfectly muddled mojito.

Favorite kitchen gadget: 

Cast iron lime squeezer.

Perfect song to cook to: 

I usually listen to 80’s or Latin pop, but if my kids are cooking with me then we are cooking and dancing to Top 40 music.

Most adventurous food you eat: 

I live in Colorado and game meat is quite popular here. I would say yak is the “strangest”. It’s exotic, delicious, and lighter tasting than beef.

Favorite fusion: 

Korean BBQ and fresh Mexican flavors.

Tip for at-home cooks:

Take the time to actually read recipes through before you begin.