The first serious, scholarly yet appealing book I bought or was given was a book on Pre-Hispanic ingredients called La Presencia de la Comida Prehispanica, written by Teresa Castello Yturbide who, I think is a distant relative of the Emperor, Agustin de Yturbide, the first ruler of independent Mexico. This masterpiece was commissioned by Banamex as a Christmas gift for their best clients and donors so it was scarce and a collector’s item the moment it was published in 1986. I treasure it.
Over the years I bought or was given other marvelous books by her including books The Art of Featherwork in Mexico and a range of mini-books she did for one of my favorite publications, Artes de Mexico. There is one on beading (La Chaquira en Mexico/Beadwork in Mexico), Trajes Indigenas de Mexico (regional Mexican outfits.) I have not been able to find an affordable copy of her book on leather working which is $444.00 right now on Amazon!
There are many more on Amazon but my favorite now is a gorgeous book called La Cocina de Antano (The Food of Yesteryear) which deals with the part convents and nuns played in the creation of the mestizo (of mixed blood) cooking that we know today and includes some of the best known Mexican classics and a huge reportoire of all kind of desserts. You c an sometimes find it at an exhorbitant price on amazon or alibris and it will be worth every penny. Not only are the pictures spectacular but every chapter is preceded by a beautiful saying such as when referring to needlework she quotes “cuando la aguja se convierte en pincel ” (when the needle becomes a paintbrush), another pronounces De la brevedad de la vida y su dramatico esplendor (Of the brevity of life and its dramatic splendou) and a suggestion to the cook” echale especies y muchas cosas bonitas (add spices and lots of beautiful things)
I had located her number through a friend and called when I knew that I would be going to Mexico City and made an appointment with her. What a thrill it was to meet this lovely, elegant 93 year-old woman. I gave her my books and she was most complimentary. I felt blessed to have been in her home and radiant presence. We keep in touch and I had been waiting anxiously for a letter she sent me that I include because her penmanship is so beautiful and the her comments about my books are food for my soul.
She continues to write but feels that she cannot handle research now so she is now writing charming fairy tales for her grand and great grandchildren.
