Look out Giada DeLaurentis and Bobby Flay! Armed with this gorgeous cookbook I will be outcooking both of you in no time!

The recipes are approachable, the ingredients easy to obtain and the results amazing!

Thank you to Josef Centero and Betty Hallock, Chronicle Books, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Having owned about half a dozen Mexican cookbooks, Ama was a pleasant surprise. It is not centered on Tacos, but contains many other recipes, some surprising (such as the pickles). Although the book is heavily focused on meat dishes, it was a plus to also see vegan recipes, such as cashew queso. The desert section was also a good addition. Besides an interpretation of the churros, i discovered the cinnamon fennel shells and a coconut cake

Lots of gorgeous pictures and the instructions are clearly written. Also a really wide range of recipes, which was great. Some of the ingredients aren't so easily obtainable, though. Even in a big city I'd have some trouble finding some of these, they seem pretty specific to parts of Texas and California. But some are adaptable nevertheless, really excited to try them! Sometimes with Mexican I feel like I've tried everything I can considering my own cooking skills, but this proved me wrong with lots of new ideas.

Do not miss the wonderful historical information contained in the Introduction. We learn facts about Tex-Mex cooking, where it came from and some interesting information about Josef Centeno's ancestors. You will read the life story of Ama, whom the book is named after. There is a quick note and explanation of Chiles. Their names and uses are explained further on in the recipes.

Ama cookbook contains some wonderful dressings and vinaigrettes, that can be used in various ways. Pickled products, preserves and various salsas that may become favorites. Their are so many Breakfast entrees you will want to try. Delicious looking seafood, you will not know which to make first. The desserts look are out of this world. The images are very well done. They not only add beautiful color to this book, but are mouth watering. You cannot wait to try these dishes. This cookbook is a wonderful addition to any ones kitchen, who loves big flavors, nacho parties, grilling and wonderful Tex-Mex cooking. I received a complementary copy of this beautiful book from Chronicle Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Exceptional cookbook with delectable recipes and photographs! I enjoyed the unique take on Tex-Mex and the mouthwatering recipes. Readers will thoroughly enjoyed the detailed and intricate notes for each recipe, giving plenty of tips and tricks along the way.

Ohhh my goodness. This cookbook is a foodie's dream!! Not only are the photos mouth watering, but the instructions and recipes are perfection. I really enjoyed reading through each piece and have a new motivation for cooking! Who's going to win at family dinner? This girl!

A gorgeous cookbook that's full of life. I cannot wait to dig into each and every recipe. Loved the colorful images and creative recipes.

Bar Amá is one of my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles - a fantastic bar with some of the most delicious elevated Tex-Mex food I've tasted. This cookbook not only does justice to the food, but is a great work of history and culture around Centeno's experience growing up in San Antonio and experiencing true Tex + Mex. His recipes and stories remind me so much of my family's traditions around food: many of the salsas and dishes are named after/for his relatives, and he has a whole list of ingredients that are unique to Mexican food that are essential to this kind of cooking (for example: Mexican oregano is worlds away from the oregano pizza spice we're likely used to).

In terms of the recipes, I was initially a bit miffed that many recipes called back to others - like you had to make a salsa listed earlier in the book in order to make a main course listed later. But again, I realized that's very similar to my family as well - there are certain staple ingredients and spice mixes and sauces that are necessary for making a dish truly authentic. The cookbook has entire sections on grilling, cocktails, and bar food, which to me sets it apart from other cookbooks of the same style. The recipes are easy to follow if you have all the right ingredients, and I look forward to making more soon! I would definitely get this book as a gift for others who love Mexican food; the stories and images would make this a great coffee table book, and the recipes are great for an avid home chef.

I was given an ARC PDF of Ama in exchange for a candid review.

I truly enjoyed this cookbook. The photographs are very crisp and beautiful. The recipes and instructions are easy to follow and clear. I thought it was a very sweet idea to include the mentions from TX to family throughout the book for certain recipes and/or ingredients. I am definitely planning on trying out some of these recipes!

This cookbook has fresh new innovating recipes for people who love to cook Mexican. The pictures are vibrant, colourful and your mouth will water when you see them. For every course there is a multi recipes and I can't wait to start cooking with this book. One minus some ingredients are hard or harder to get. There for this book gets 4 points!

This cookbook is absolutely filled with recipes that look and sound amazing.
There are beautiful photographs of the food.
There’s an absolute ton of recipes that I immediately decided I’d have to try. I’ll be making the meatballs with tomatillo salsa first.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner dessert or snack, this book has it all.
I’m so glad I got to check out this cookbook and I can’t wait to start cooking the recipes.

I think someone uploaded the wrong book. As a former Texan, I was looking forward to reading authentic Tex-Mex recipes. However, this is a baking book named Tartine. I am now sad.