Ninfa Laurenzo, or Mama Ninfa as many called her, was a trailblazer and an icon in the city of Houston, Texas. She helped introduce a Tex-Mex classic to the United States with her business savvy, food knowledge, and understanding of people. In this episode, we learn about the life that made Ninfa Laurenzo into the legend she's known as today. Reported by Eliza Rothstein.

Make your own Tacos al Carbon with our tried and tested recipe.

This podcast miniseries is an audio companion to a forthcoming book from America's Test Kitchen called When Southern Women Cook: History, Lore, and 300 Recipes from Every Corner of the American South. You can preorder the book where books are sold:

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