Chicken Black Bean Rice Skillet for 4 Servings
Master the Chicken Black Bean Rice Skillet with our step-by-step guide. Includes a common mistakes checklist and time-saving tips. Perfect for weeknight…
Carlos Mendez
Carlos Mendez, recipe developer – Comfort Food Fusion & Quick Family Meals Inspired by Abuela's Texas-Mexican Kitchen. Making heritage flavors weeknight friendly!
About Me:
Meet Carlos Mendez
I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, in a house where two culinary worlds collided beautifully. My abuela Rosa came from Monterrey, Mexico, bringing recipes her family had perfected for generations. My American grandfather contributed his love for Southern comfort food—meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and apple pie. My childhood dinner table was where cultures merged and something magical happened.
Abuela Rosa passed away during my sophomore year of college, and I realized I'd never written down her recipes. I spent months calling aunts, cousins, and family friends, piecing together the dishes I'd taken for granted my whole life. That experience taught me the importance of preserving these culinary traditions before they're lost forever.
My Cooking Philosophy
- Fusion with Respect: I love blending Mexican and American flavors, but always with deep respect for both traditions. Abuela would never let me forget the originals.
- Weeknight Friendly: As someone who works full-time, I focus on recipes that busy people can actually make without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Teaching Moments: I explain the "why" behind techniques because understanding makes you a better cook, not just a recipe follower.
Background & Experience
I work as a software developer by day and recipe tester by night (and weekend, and lunch break). I have no formal culinary training—everything I know comes from abuela, YouTube, trial and error, and eating at every family gathering I could get invited to. My specialty is making traditional recipes more accessible for the younger generation that didn't grow up with someone teaching them in the kitchen.
When I'm not cooking, I'm playing soccer with friends, tinkering with hot sauce recipes, or video-calling my mom to ask "how much is a little bit of this?" just like abuela used to measure things.
Connect with Carlos:
Email:
My Latest recipes:
The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning in 5 Minutes
Master the best homemade taco seasoning with our quick recipe, avoiding salt-heavy packets. Includes a common mistakes checklist for perfect flavor every time.…
Tortilla Breakfast Wrap: Pan-Seared Golden Crunch
Learn the Tortilla Breakfast Wrap recipe perfected with a pan-searing technique for maximum crunch. Includes a step-by-step timing guide for flawless…
Quick and Cozy Chicken Taco Soup Ready in 30 Min
Master Quick and Cozy Chicken Taco Soup with black beans! Features a 30-minute total time and a step-by-step timing guide. Perfect for a delicious weeknight…
Margarita Drink Recipe Pitcher: Zesty & Silky Smooth
Get the essential margarita drink recipe pitcher for a velvety, citrus-forward batch! This 10-minute recipe balances sharp lime with sweet agave.