Herbal Depth

At El Epazote in Madera, Calif., the use of its namesake herb is both symbolic and functional. In this Empanada de Amarillo, epazote deepens the mole amarillo’s earthy heat and bridges the tang of queso Oaxaca. Here, the housemade corn tortilla is filled with shredded chicken, mole amarillo, Oaxacan cheese (quesillo) and epazote. This dish shows epazote at its purest: as both anchor and accent in a format built for handheld enjoyment.

Flavors on the Edge is an ongoing series that explores emerging ingredients poised to become high-impact flavor builders.