In a typical Mexican home, life revolves around food. For my family, food is synonymous with love. Everyone was a good cook but it was my dad, Martin, who planted the seed of my love of cooking. He was always in the kitchen and I have fond memories of him asking me to help him chop vegetables or fry something.
Ensenada fish tacos are named after the port city where I grew up and were created by a taco seller there. In the city, every family has its own variation. My family’s version has been with us for a long time and it’s special to me, as my father wrote the recipe in my diary before I came to London 17 years ago. He said: ‘Now you can cook proper Ensenada fish tacos for English people.’
I never imagined my dad would be gone within a few years of giving me the recipe, so I keep it safe as something precious. Every time I make these tacos they put a smile on my face, and my children love the stories I tell about my dad cooking this wonderful dish.
• Karla blogs at mexicanfoodmemories.co.uk
Karla with her mum and dad
RECIPE: KARLA ZAZUETA. FOOD PHOTOGRAPH: GARETH MORGANS. FOOD STYLING: OLIVIA SPURRELL. STYLING: MORAG FARQUHAR
Ensenada fish tacos
NEXT MONTH A Burmese favourite