Princess Diana

By now, I hope you've realized that this posting is not about Lady Di, but Diana Kennedy - the deservedly praised cookbook author and culinary expert who has been called the "ultimate authority, the high priestess" of authentic Mexican cookery.

How can someone with the last name KENNEDY possibly be considering the gourmet guru of MEXICAN cuisine? Well, Diana first arrived in Mexico in 1957 to marry Paul P. Kennedy, the foreign correspondent for the New York Times and instantly fell in love with the food and culture. After almost 50 years of learning about their cooking techniques and foodstuffs, and successfully sharing the gift of Mexican cookery with the rest of the globe through lectures and numerous cookbooks, I think she deserves a royal title - if not a wee tiara. Wouldn't you agree?

Well, if you didn't before, you will after you try her guacamole recipe. I tried my hand at it last night, when I was invited over to my friend Mo's place for a real ethnic treat - a full-on Mexican dinner prepared by her Los Angeleno friend Erica. Erica's parents are from the Guadalajara and she had no idea you could buy ready-made refried beans.

I love this woman.

She whipped up a batch of heavenly, chocolatey, spicy Refried Beans and gorgeously hearty Chicken Enchiladas. Ol