Quesadillas–the perfect marriage of heaven and earth, where the basic, simple tortilla meets the ecstasy of cheese. If you can find the right cheese, that is… So, where do you find great Mexican cheeses in the US? If you can’t find Oaxaca Cheese or Manchego, what can you use instead? What about Monterey Jack or Cheddar as a substitute?
If you’re fighting a war, how do you cook food on the run? What sort of meals can you make around ranches, porches, and rustic bonfires? What might Pancho Villa or Emiliano Zapata have eaten? This episode looks at the culinary legacy of the Mexican Revolution.
This episode shows us how to pick and prime the perfect avocado, then walks us through four great recipes.
Meet the tomatillo–this small, plump, green fruit was a favorite of the Aztecs and stars in any number of Mexican dishes today. Its tart flavor is worlds apart from the taste of tomatoes, but is just as juicy and unforgettable. This episode will show you where to find tomatillos, how to cook with them, and tips and tricks for creating amazing dishes.
Aren’t convents supposed to be austere, dull places? In Mexico, everything’s a little more colorful–including the food of Catholic nuns. Delicious, labor-intensive mole is probably the most well known food to come out of the convents, but this show will explore some slightly easier, but just as tasty.
In Mexico, it’s not uncommon to find both food and water deliciously flavored with hibiscus flowers. Commonly known as Jamaica, it has an intensely herbal, fruity taste. This episode will show us some of the places you can buy it in the US, then share recipes that include it.
What’s on the menu at a typical Mexican picnic? Are some foods, like hot dogs and hamburgers, universal? Turn your backyard into a little slice of Mexico by tweaking some old standbys. Learn how not only Mexican food has been adapted outside of Mexico, but also how American dishes have been transformed in Mexico.
A Mexican brunch is the perfect way to ease into the weekend. What kinds of recipes are truly Mexican but truly inspired, too? This episode will look at what a late breakfast/early lunch in Mexico might look like, and what recipes you can prepare in your own home.
Who doesn’t love sausage? Chorizo, the Mexican version, is a deep-burnt-reddish explosion of fresh, moist, exotically seasoned flavor. When it’s fried, it becomes crisp and incredibly savory. This episode will look at the difference between Mexican chorizo sausage and its Spanish, Central American and South American cousins.
Mexico is now the largest importer of cinnamon in the world–but how do they use it that’s so special? Just how different is the Ceylon or True cinnamon used in Mexico from the Cassia cinnamon of Southeast Asia?
Immigrants from Lebanon, Syria and Israel have left a tasty influence on Mexican cuisine over the years; this show will look at how they came to such a far-flung (but fascinating) country and what kind of legacy they’ve contributed–other than Frida Kahlo and Salma Hayek, of course.
Vanilla only comes in a bottle, right? Oh, it’s a bean!? Where on earth do I find vanilla beans and then how do I cook with them? Do I crack them open? Wait, vanilla comes from Veracruz, Mexico–not Madagascar!? This episode will explain all of that, plus share a few amazing vanilla-infused recipes.
Mexicans have been wrapping and cooking food in leaves for a long time, and this episode will look at the reasons why. It will also share three scrumptious dishes you can make in your own kitchen with the wrapping method and with three different kids of wrappers! We’ll also look at some shortcuts and tips for cooking wrapped foods in your own kitchen, as opposed to the traditional method of digging a pit or steaming them in an enormous pot.
Jump into a Lucha Libre ring and experience the kind of fighting spirit that fuels a great love of Mexican food. These classic recipes provoke heated discussions in Mexico, but are perfectly tasty regardless of which twist on ingredients you prefer.
The same foods that parents pack into a hearty school lunch in Mexico are perfect for school lunchtime in America. These dishes are so tasty and filling, even grownups will want to take them to work.
A tasty look at the way French cuisine has historically influenced modern Mexican cooking, and simple techniques any American cook can manage with impressive results.
Simple, easy, home-style cuisine that you’d find in just about any Mexican home, recreated for the American kitchen. This meal was my favorite “everyday” meal growing up in Mexico, and one I regularly make for my own family today. I am proud to share the steps so that you can enjoy it too.
Fun, kid-friendly and (mostly!) finger-food that you’d find at a children’s party in Mexico, adapted for American parties at home. A special guest shows up to make dessert!
These home-style dishes are a staple at the small restaurants known as “fondas” in Mexico — and delicious inspiration for busy cooks in American homes today. Make them once, and they’ll become easy to make but special treats in your own kitchen.
The breakfast of your dreams, prepared by Pati and her sister Alisa. This episode includes both quick, simple dishes and ones meant for a deliciously messy morning feast.
This episode puts a twist on tequila by using it in a number of tasty, savory and sweet recipes sure to impress special guests. Mixologist extraordinaire Derek Brown shows Pati how to make one of his signature cocktails, and she uses tequila to ignite a main dish.
Pati takes you to Xochimilco, the legendary floating gardens of Mexico, and sprinkles a few flowers into some impressive but easy Mexican recipes.
By adding a few key Mexican ingredients to what you’d normally find in an all-American pantry and fridge, you get these to-die-for, lip-smacking dishes.
Travel with Pati to the state of Puebla to see why it isn’t just the site of the legendary Cinco de Mayo battle — it’s also home to some of Mexico’s most luscious, delectable culinary treats.
This episode explores three very different, very authentic and very simple twists on Mexican tacos, one of Mexico’s most iconic foods.
Forget soy and tofu; these are authentic Mexican recipes where produce, fruits and vegetables are naturally the stars.
Huevos a la Mexicana; shredded flank steak with potatoes in green salsa; Mexican rice with prawns; orange vanilla flan. Pati travels to Mexico City to reconnect with her father and help him cook one of her favorite childhood meals: Huevos a la Mexicana. Back in her own kitchen, she’ll use that visit as inspiration to cook a few dishes that she remembers fondly from childhood, and then pass on the tradition by cooking dessert with her youngest son Juju.
Tex-Mex chili; poblano, bacon and cheddar skillet cornbread; Mexican chocolate doughnuts. Inspired by her years living in Texas, Pati creates a series of dishes that combine her passion for Mexican cuisine and her favorite foods of America’s Lone Star State. Her oldest son Alan, who was born in Texas and is fully Tex-Mex, joins her in the kitchen.
Alphabet soup; molletes, grilled cheese and bean hero sandwiches; pico de gallo salsa; dulce de leche cheesecake. This episode is all about Pati’s boys — it’s time for a little mother/son bonding time. First, Pati takes Alan, Sami, and Juju to their favorite place to have fun, and then for lunch, the boys will pick their absolute favorite dishes that their mom makes. The only hitch? They have to give mom a hand as she prepares each dish.
Tortilla soup; tuna casserole; lime pound cake; papaya relish. Pati is a busy mom on the go. If you’re a mom that likes to cook for your family and take your kids to school, practice and everywhere else, you need a few quick and easy meals in your arsenal. Pati’s oldest sister Karen, who has older kids, shares a few tips as they visit her restaurant in Mexico City. Then, back at home, Pati shows us some of her go-to weekly dishes.
Carnitas; salsa verde with avocado; Morella-style gazpacho salad; grilled pineapple margarita. Everyone knows that Mexican food is great for a party. In this episode, Pati invites some of her son’s friends (and their parents) over to her house and makes some of her popular fiesta dishes — perfect for any party! In Mexico, she travels to the town of Quiroga, known as the Carnitas Capital of the World, where she’ll show us one of her absolute favorite treats: The REAL Mexican Gazpacho!
Macaroni and cheese Mexicano; chipotle agave chicken wings; brownies with caramelized pecans. Pati takes some of the classic American meals and gives them an exotic yet homey Mexican twist. Plus, take a look as Pati helps make and then devours one of Mexico’s famed hot dogs, Richard’s in Morelia.
Shrimp cocktail Pacifico; Rodrigo-style fish; flourless chocolate pecan cake. When you’re a busy mom to three boys and you have a job, you have to make an effort to set aside time for just you and the hubby. So today, Pati is preparing a special meal for a date night with her husband, Dany. And since he LOVES seafood, she’s going to make seafood dishes for their romantic night in. A trip down to the state of Michoacán where Pati meets the Butterfly Net Fishermen helps the inspiration.
Amaranth and panko crispy chicken with dipping sauce; green beans with peanuts and chile de arbol; five-spice pecan plum empanadas; Sriracha mezcal cocktail. Latin-Asian fusion is hot right now, but Asian immigrants have been influencing traditional Mexican cuisine for centuries. Pati goes food shopping with her good friend chef Janet Yu and gets inspired to create a menu full of Asian-inspired Mexican meals.
Michelada bar; crab, cucumber and jicama salad; papa rellenas with avocado sauce; beef barbacoa sliders; drunken salad. It’s Pot Luck Party day at Pati’s house! Today, she’s having some friends over and this time everyone’s contributing to the meal — no one shows up empty handed. Pati also welcomes home design expert, Sabrina Soto, who is bringing along one of her favorite Cuban recipes.
Spiced sweet Mexican coffee; Mexican-style gravlax with cilantro and tequila; huevos rancheros with zucchini; Yucatan-style French toast. Breakfast is Mexico’s favorite meal, and it’s also the Jinich family’s favorite! It’s Sunday, and Pati is up early in the kitchen as the rest of the family sleeps in. She’s hard at work creating a full, three course menu of some of her family’s preferred Mexican breakfast dishes to enjoy ’round the table on a lazy morning.
Fish over fennel salad with a jalapeno and olive salsa; guajillo and garlic pasta; cucumber martini. Pati has tons of fun in her kitchen creating a full menu featuring the perfect blend of Italian and Mexican cuisine. Two cuisines that have managed to mingle in Mexican homes for centuries.
Honey chipotle ribs; spinning top cocktail; mango guacamole with grilled tortilla wedges; grilled romaine and red bell peppers with ancho chili vinaigrette and cheese. Pati invites a few of her girlfriends over for a much needed “girls’ night in.” But these girls are here to GRILL! Grilling isn’t just a guy thing — Pati’s got a great outdoor grill, and she’s gonna put it to work by cooking up a mouth-watering menu of Mexican food with a BBQ twist. One of Pati’s sisters shows up to help her mix some drinks, too!
Watermelon, tomatillo and mozzarella skewers with mint-agave syrup; red pozole with garnishes; mixed melon, lime and coconut agua fresca; tres leches and strawberry Mexican gelatin dessert. What better way to end the season than with a big party? Pati throws a neighborhood bash and cooks up the easiest and best Mexican-themed dishes that would be a huge hit at any party. And what better accessory to a Mexican fiesta than a giant piñata? Pati also gets the chance to visit a piñata maker in the central market of Morelia.
Pati and family visit San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Known for its cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, art galleries and, of course, a wide range of delicious eats, San Miguel is a pretty, tourist-friendly vacation town in the state of Guanajuato. Fruit smoothie; big brunch enchiladas; black beans from the pot; nopalitos with corn and guajillo.
San Miguel has always been one of Mexico’s top culinary destinations and Pati shows us the highlights. Fish with plums, pasilla and tequila; orange blossom rice with pepitas; chardonnay mango pecan tart.
While Pati and family are on vacation in San Miguel de Allende, they have a taco night. Homemade corn tortillas; cheese basket tacos; tacos al pastor with garnishes; achiote adobo.
Pati and her family decide to have a summer evening party. Cherry tomato jam with red wine and scallions; citrus chicken with carrots and baby potatoes.
Pati cooks a various styles of tamales, both savory and sweet. Cooked salsa verde; chicken in salsa verde tamales; sweet corn tamales; green rice.
Pati takes some classic American recipes and gives them a delicious Mexican twist. Mexican crab cakes with jalapeno aioli; pizza dough; pizza sauce; poblano, corn and zucchini pizza.
Pati updates three of here fans favorite recipes and makes a surprise visit with one. Tart pico de guac; chipotle chicken pasta casserole; marbled tres leches cake.
Pati visits the city of Guanajuato, known for having some of the best street food in all of Mexico. Cooked and seasoned corn; miner-style enchiladas; homemade dulce de leche; churros con cajeta.
Pati some favorite recipes of her middle son, Sami. Smashed baby potatoes; chipotle salmon, bacon and avocado sandwich; homemade cookies.
Pati meets two chefs in Mexico City who are putting modern spins on traditional Mexican cuisine. Boston lettuce salad with avocado, pineapple and pumpkin seeds; mole stew; hibiscus cookies.
Pati shows us a couple recipes that were passed down to her by her family. Chili rellenos; salsa roja; drunken rice with chicken; meringue cake with whipped cream.
Pati prepares a variety of simple recipes that are all cooked in an oven. Baked egg casserole; salsa ranchera; dulce de leche and pecan cinnamon rolls; baked fruit mixiote.
Pati is has a picnic for family and friends in her backyard. Chicken, refried beans, plantain and avocado sandwich; potato and poblano rajas salad; mango puff.
The Season 5 premiere heads to the coastal city of Champotón, where a market is visited; and pollo pibila (a gigantic tamale cooked underground) and pan de cazón (a local version of lasagna made with shark, beans and spicy tomato sauce) are prepared at a hacienda.
A culinary tour of Merida, the capital of Yucatán, features "bar snacks" like chaya empanadas; family classics like mondongo stew; and even foreign influences like kibi.
Celestun, a coastal town in Yucatán, is visited. Included: a breakfast with fresh seafood; and a cookout on the beach. Also: flamingos.
A tour of Merida, the capital of Yucatán. Included: lechon torta (a slow-cooked pork sandwich); the Vaquería dance in the town's main square; and a traditional Sunday meal.
Campeche, a colonial city on the Yucatán Peninsula defined by its history of piracy, is explored. Included: turkey panuchos; pescado verde; and grilled octopus.
In Yucatán, Pati and her sons explore the ancient ruins of Uxmal and learn how advanced the ancient Maya people were. They also have fun in a hidden cenote (swimming hole). Later, they feast on tamales and the region's signature dish, cochinita pibil.
A visit to Izamal, a city in Yucatán where the buildings are painted gold, spotlights a Franciscan monastery built on top of a Mayan temple; and features a jeweler who makes jewelry from plants that he grows. Also: sampling venison tacos and poc chuc.
Valladolid, a city primarily known as a stopover between Cancun and Merida, is toured.
A visit to Isla Mujeres, a peaceful paradise across the Bahia de Mujeres from Cancun, Mexico. Included: tikin xic, a fish dish.
A tour of Cancun, Mexico, stops at the Crab House to sample its inventive dishes, including Alaskan wontons; and the Casa de Cristian Morales, which features a Mexican-international fusion with such dishes as tuna tartar Kibi and cold pork belly salad.
A traditional Jinich family Thanksgiving dinner is enjoyed.
With her oldest son about to leave for college, Pati shares easy recipes that any college kid can make; and gives a series of simple cooking tips.
The Season 5 finale features chef José Andrés, who helps make several Spanish-influenced recipes.
How to get the most out of one day in the city of Oaxaca. Featuring the top sights; lunch at a local market; and a taste of the restaurant scene. Recipes include tasajo torta with smokey guacamole; nopalitos salad with pickled chipotle; and natilla with fresh berries.
The history of Oaxaca cuisine from pre-Hispanic origins, to the introduction of Spanish techniques, and modern day movements. Featuring ancestral recipes at the local market; eating traditional Oaxaca recipes with a modern twist; and preparing vegetarian dishes. Recipes include sweet potato and black bean tamales; and avocado, watercress and pecan salad.
A visit to the small town of Teotitlan de Valle to meet cook Abigail Mendoza. Abigail shares her dedication to preserving the pre-Hispanic techniques and recipes of her Zapotec ancestors. Recipes include Oaxacan chicken with oregano and garlic; grilled corn salad; and burnt milk ice cream with animal crackers.
The best mezcal in all of Mexico is explored. Featuring a small family-run operation; and learning how mezcal is made. Recipes include Mexican steak salad and Oaxacan sours.
A day with one of Oaxaca's best-known chefs and owner of Casa Oaxaca, Alex Ruiz. Alex shares his favorite market and family farm. Recipes include meatballs in guajillo sauce and arroz con chepil.
The role of women in Oaxaca and their influence on the customs and cuisine. Recipes include coloradito chicken; mashed potato cazuela; and almond and chocolate leche cake.
An in-depth exploration of all things mole. Featuring the basics of mole, its history and importance. Recipes include mole verde with pork and white beans; and almendrado with chicken.
A visit to La Mixteca with chef, restaurant owner, and one of Mixteca's best cooks, Ixchel Ornellas. Featuring what makes the food and culture so unique. Recipes include corn soup with queso and pescado agridulce.
Pati visits the town of San Martin Tilcajete to meet Maria and Jacobo at their famous art school. There, she learns the ins and outs of their delicate alebrije making process and tastes an outrageously delicious liver and eggs meal prepared for the artists. In her kitchen, those eggs are an inspiration for a Oaxacan-themed breakfast.
People are always asking Pati how she turned a passion for food into a career. Over the years, she's told the story in bits and pieces but she's never told the full story. Throughout this episode, she'll explain where her passion for food started, what decisions led her to where she is today, and some of the twists and turns she took to get here.
Pati spends the day with her youngest son, Juju. Juju is known for his obsession with chocolate. In this episode, they spend the day in the kitchen coming up with three delicious chocolate-loaded recipes.
An episode dedicated to one of the Jinich's favorite ingredients: cheese. In her kitchen, Pati cooks three mouthwatering cheesy recipes - one for each of her boys. In Oaxaca, Pati and her three sons visit a cheese producer to see how the famous Oaxacan cheese is made.
In this episode, Pati makes a few family staples with recipes that have many different uses. Perfect for busy families on the go, these recipes can be set aside or kept in the fridge to use later in a variety of delicious meals. They're more than just a meal, they'll keep your family satisfied all week.
One of the most up and coming food destinations in all of Mexico, Tijuana is full of young, fresh talent across the culinary scene. Some of the best chefs in the world are coming from all over and setting up shop to take part in Baja’s most exciting culinary movement. Pati spends the day meeting up with the hottest new chefs in town, like Miguel Angel Guerrero, founder of Baja Med cuisine. She roams the hot new food truck scene at Telefonica Gastropark, eats with Ruffo Ibara, a rising star and chef at Oryx Capital, and more.
Life on the border is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines that creates a unique culinary scene like no other. As a Mexican immigrant who lives in America, Pati spent her life combining cuisines, and she will explore how this fusion of cultures affects the food in Tijuana. Influences from San Diego, Southern Mexico, and people from all over the world come together as Pati dives deep to get the real story of what life and food are like on the border.
The port town of Ensenada is a seafood mecca. Fresh fish is everywhere you look, and this hub for seafood exportation is also the gateway to Mexican wine country. Pati eats her way through this coastal gem from their famous fish tacos to La Guerrenese, considered the best street food on the planet, to the oldest bar in Baja and originator of the margarita, Hussongs.
While in Valle De Guadalupe, Pati visits one of the most legendary cooks in the area, Doña Esthela, who makes the best breakfast as far as the eye can see. Doña Esthela began with just a humble burrito stand outside of her home, and by word of mouth, her restaurant eventually gained a reputation for one of the tastiest breakfasts in the world. Pati cooks with Doña Esthela in her kitchen, tours the space where she both lives and cooks, and then takes all of this inspiration back home where she whips up some Baja inspired breakfast treats for her boys.
With over 100 wineries, Valle de Guadalupe has become the hottest new destination, with people traveling from all over to discover this new and exciting region. Traveling from places like California, Mexico City and beyond, visitors find the highest quality grapes, delectable cuisine, and quaint, yet hip, hotels nestled among the grape vines. Valle de Guadalupe’s wine country engages the senses with food, wine, and a new adventure at every turn. Wine has been growing here for more than 100 years but only recently has seen a boost in popularity. Pati samples wine varietals and eats a top-notch meal at Bruma with Chef David Castro Hussong. Then, she catches up with old friends at Monte Xanic winery, one of the Valle’s oldest wineries and the first Baja winery to commit itself to artisanal winemaking. Pati learns the entire history of the region and what caused it to explode in popularity. They have a family party with lots of food, lots of wine, and great company.
One of Baja’s most well kept secrets has Pati on a mission to explore this town bite-by-bite. Loreto is a small town on the Gulf of California with big excitement and a rich history. Loreto, a hidden gem, almost feels like a step back in time. Home to the oldest Mision in Baja California, Pati visits Mision de Nuestra Senora de Loreto to learn about Loreto’s history. And she can’t leave town without trying a dish that you can only get fresh in Baja – almejas chocolatas. These chocolate clams are indigenous to the area, and Pati will experience the traditional process of making tatemada-style clams on the beach. Pati also stumbles upon the unexpected – a true, traditional Italian pizza right in town – and she stops by SuperBurro, a favorite local joint with delicious food and a rich family history.
Pati will explore the beauty and wonder of La Paz, the capital of Baja Sur. This breathtaking Baja destination has drawn her to visit its waters, and below the surface, the Sea of Cortez is filled with some of the most unbelievable sea life in the world. Pati swims with whale sharks in the crystal clear waters. She satiates the appetite she worked up at El Bismarkcito, a seafood institution on La Paz’s waterfront. And finally, before she leaves town, she stops to meet with Chef Carlos Valdez of Tatanka, a vivacious local chef with a sense of humor and some must-eat food.
Pati spends a day with one of Baja’s most celebrated chefs, Javier Plascencia. He gives Pati a tour of the Baja he knows and loves, exploring the areas of Todos Santos and Pescadero. They make a pit stop at his favorite roadside carnitas stand, check out a local organic strawberry farm, head to the beach for some fresh-off-the-boat fish, and finally make their way to Javier’s newest restaurant, Jazamango, where he has a beautiful garden that feeds his customers every day.
Pati spends the entire day with Edith Jimenez, a culinary institution of Los Cabos. At age 15, starting out as a waitress, Edith decided she would one day own the restaurant where she worked and is now living her dream, owning both Edith’s Restaurant and The Office, a Cabo staple. Edith ensures the preservation of history and culture by consistently using recipes from locals in the area. Edith takes Pati to the small town of Miraflores where they meet up with a family that has shown Edith how to make their traditional tamales and sopa fresca.
Pati sets out into the crystal clear waters of the Sea of Cortez in search of the freshest, tastiest seafood all of Los Cabos has to offer. Along with Chef Guillermo Gomez of Cabo’s luxurious Esperanza hotel, Pati reels in a fresh catch and heads back to the shore. On a pristine beach with breathtaking ocean views, Pati grills up her catch-of-the-day with Chef Guillermo as they discuss the evolution of Cabo San Lucas from a small fishing village to the desirable vacation destination it has become.
Pati is invited to cook a special Cinco de Mayo dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City. The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit culinary arts organization, which hosts frequent meals typically prepared by esteemed chefs, like Pati, who take pride in sharing their culture and cuisine with the world. Before she leaves New York, Pati visits three authentic Mexican-American culinary establishments around the city. While tasting and enjoying traditional Mexican breads, tamales, and chilaquiles, Pati learns the stories of chefs using food as a way of pursuing their dreams in America, creating their own successful businesses and honoring traditional Mexican recipes and ingredients.
Friends and family always tell Pati she has an extraordinary photographic food memory. She can recall a bite of a memorable dish from decades ago as if it were just yesterday. So, Pati decides to recreate some of her most favorite food memories in her own kitchen and give the stories behind the dishes.
Pati’s passion for travel doesn’t stop in Mexico, she also has a soft spot for her American travels. Plus, Pati is always feeding her three, hungry, growing, Mexican-American boys. In addition to adoring their mom’s Mexican dishes, her sons love some American classics. So, Pati will put her Mexican spin on some regional American dishes to make a special, sweet surprise for her boys.
Pati visits Culiacán, the capital of the state of Sinaloa. Founded in 1531, Culiacán is the center of trade for produce, meat, and fish and the locals pride themselves on the produce cultivated from the land and nearby sea. Pati’s guide is celebrated chef and culinary ambassador Miguel Taniyama. Miguel gives Pati a local’s tour of the best markets, street food stands, and restaurants, meeting friends and family along the way. In her kitchen, Pati creates recipes inspired by the experience.
Altata is a small town on the coast of Sinaloa, about 45 miles west of Culiacán with stretches of beautiful beaches and delicious seafood at your fingertips. Pati visits with locals and chefs as this town embarks on a journey to reinvent itself from sleepy fishing village to first class tourist destination. Pati takes a boat ride to sample fresh oysters straight from the water. Then back on the mainland, she stops in restaurants serving up fresh fish, oysters and shrimp. In her kitchen, Pati prepares a seafood feast based on the beautiful waters of the Altata Bay.
Pati welcomes dear friend and fellow public television chef and host Vivian Howard to her kitchen. In this south of the border meets southern food experience, Pati and Vivian will cook a couple of their classic recipes for each other, looking for connections in cultures and food.
Pati heads to Los Mochis, a coastal city in the northern region of Sinaloa that was founded by Americans in the late 1800s. After learning its unique history and getting an incredibly delicious tour of the street food, Pati returns to her kitchen to create two mouth-watering taco recipes that take her right back to those street stands in Los Mochis.
Sinaloa’s premiere resort town claims 13-miles of beautiful Pacific coastline with boardwalks and pristine streets lined with brightly-colored homes and some of the best restaurants in Mexico. But Mazatlán has overcome a troubling and complicated history to become Sinaloa’s number one destination. In this episode, Pati meets up with two close friends, chefs Luis Osuna and Zahie Tellez, both of whom witnessed the evolution of Mazatlán firsthand. They each give Pati a personal tour of the city, and Chef Luis takes Pati to his family’s restaurant, Panama, which started as a small bakery and has grown into one of the biggest food franchises in all of Sinaloa.
Pati travels to the northern part of Sinaloa and the town of El Fuerte, one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Mágicos” or magic towns. El Fuerte was founded in 1563 right at a bend in the Fuerte river. Now a quiet colonial town, for over 300 years it was the most important commercial and agricultural center in northwest Mexico. After a walking tour and a stop at the Hotel Posada Hidalgo to try their famous cauques, a local type of langoustine, Pati creates a few lobster recipes in her kitchen inspired by the experience.
Pati travels into the mountains of Sinaloa to the tiny village of Jinetes — a place that appears to be stuck in time. The small population of barely 100 people live on whatever the land gives them. Miles and miles removed from civilization, they’ve managed to preserve their customs and recipes for generations. Pati is the first visitor to come learn from their culinary traditions and they’ve prepared a feast fit for the occasion.
Originally conceived as a trade route linking cattle markets in Kansas City to the nearest Pacific Ocean port in Mexico, which is Topolobampo. Today the El Chepe railway is a historic passenger train that connects the city of Los Mochis to Chihuaha with stunning views of the Sinaloa countryside and the Copper Canyon. In this episode, Pati will ride the first section of the train’s journey – from Los Mochis to El Fuerte. She will tour the train’s kitchen and sit down with chef Daniel De Los Santos to taste the gourmet offerings from the train’s restaurant, Urike. Later, Pati will have a drink with her friend Rosalva Analy in the train’s stunning terrace. Back home, inspired by the early morning train ride through countryside of Sinaloa, Pati cooks up a delicious breakfast based on Sinaloan classics.
Founded in 1594, Mocorito is a quiet, colorful colonial town known for one of Sinaloa’s most beloved recipes: a slow-simmered pork dish called chilorio. Pati visits the home of Victoria Gonzalez, a cook known for having one of the best chilorio recipes in town. Then Pati goes with Victoria to visit her sister, Fabiola, who just happens to live right down the street and specialize in another Sinaloan classic, jamoncillo — a soft, sweet candy that is made only of sugar and milk. Back in her kitchen, Pati perfects her own version of chilorio and dresses up a classic local cookie with sugar crystals and dulce de leche.
Celestino Gasca didn’t exist until about 30 years ago. Now, this rural seaside town is becoming a vacation destination due to its magnificent untouched beaches and idyllic surfing conditions. Pati meets with local restaurant owner Carmen and helps her cook one of Sinaloa’s most iconic recipes: pescado zarandeado. Then, she travels 30 minutes south to the tiny fishing village of Las Barras, where she meets a fisherman who catches percebes, a tiny crustacean considered a delicacy in the region.
Known as “Mexico’s Bread Basket,” Sinaloa produces about 40% of the meat and produce consumed in all of Mexico. In this episode Pati travels the countryside — to farms and fisheries to get an up-close look at the wealth of resources Sinaloa has to offer. She visits a dairy farm known for its fresh cheese, tours a high-tech produce farm, and gets a fresh-water fishing lesson from a master fisherman. In her kitchen, Pati cooks recipes inspired by the farm-fresh bounty of Sinaloa.
In this episode, Pati visits home cooks and iconic restaurants all over Sinaloa, sampling some of the state’s most iconic dishes. Delicious destinations include fish chicharron with a master fish butcher in Maviri, to a rustic pan de mujer with a family of bread makers in Altata, to one of the most famous restaurants in Mazatlán, Cuchupetas, beloved by celebrities, politicians, and locals for delicious seafood and a one of a kind experience.
In this special episode, Pati travels north of the border to Tucson, Arizona, a city that claims to have the best 23 miles of Mexican food anywhere in the world. She visits restaurants and meets local chefs, trying to get a deeper understanding of what Mexican food in America truly is. What happens to recipes when they travel across the border? How do different cultures connect and shape the food we eat? And what is this Sonoran hot dog everyone is raving about?
The basics of artisan bread baking; Sonoran wheat; creating recipes using wheat flour.
The food scene in Hermosillo, Sonora's capital, includes gigantic burritos and a meat lover's feast.
Catching giant sea scallops on the coast in Bahía Kino; a female butcher in Matape, Nere.
Classic Sonoran-style meal includes carne asada and a whipped peanut buttercream and grape galette.
Carne con chili burrito; touring a flour mill; making coyotas, a traditional dessert.
Cooking recipes inspired by a visit to Sonora; two family-run street food stands in Sonora.
Exploring Sonora's coast on the Sea of Cortez; Mariscos El Rey; seafood-loaded recipes.
Three Sonoran recipes include pescado zarandeado, stew and dirty rice with clams; Puerto Penasco.
The bold flavors and ingredients of Sonora inspires a Sonoran feast in a rustic outdoor kitchen.
Pati is inspired by Sonora’s “northern flavors” where the hot, arid desert lends itself to hearty and surprising recipes. She makes traditional tamales with corn, chiles, and cheese, and then for the main course, pork chops topped with a pickled grape salad. In Sonora, she visits a traditional hacienda, where she gets a true taste of Sonoran ranch food.
Chile lime baby back ribs; green piquin chili and oregano salsa; grilled queso fundido potatoes with bacon.
Roasted tomatoes rice with cumin and oregano; chicken livers with chipotle caramelized onions; avocado and panela cheese salad.
Pork stew stacked in corn tortillas; poison beans; Argentinian chorizo and carne asada torta; chimichurri with a Mexican accent.
Candied orange and pineapple empanadas.
Making piloncillo the traditional way; orange and piloncillo adobo pork roast pizza; flour pizza dough; orange piloncillo adobo pizza sauce.
Spicy honey, garlic and orange roasted duck; skillet corn tamal with duck fat and roasted garlic.
Red tacos with queso fresco and piquin salsa verde; piquin salsa verde; hash, corn, chorizo and eggs.
Honey glazed pork belly, arrachera and shrimp fried rice.
Roasted charred chicken; super greens green salad with oregano vinaigrette; sugar and cinnamon cookies.
Wedding rice; ginger and pistachio guacamole.
Sweet lime roasted chicken with broccolini; honey habanero rice with peas; lemons, honey and basil agua fresca.
Edam cheese potato galette; tequila and lime flat iron steak tips.
Pati explores the vibrant streets of Yucatán’s capital, Mérida, in search of its flavors. She tries “the best tacos in Mérida” at Wayan’e. The aroma of freshly made cookies lures her to Dondé Fabric, where their globitos and bizcochitos are an important part of Mérida’s mornings. She has sorbet at a shop run by the same family for generations and tastes a unique Yucatecan liqueur at Casa D'Aristi.
Pati visits Chef Wilson Alonzo in his hometown of Halachó to prepare a traditional Cochinita Pibil in an underground pit. They begin at the local market to source ingredients. Then Pati helps Wilson prepare the achiote marinade, along with his grandmother who taught him traditional cooking and isn’t shy to correct him. The final product is a meal that captures Yucatán’s history in every bite.
Pati arrives in Motul, a town in the history books for Yucatán’s once thriving henequén industry and for the egg dish Huevos Motuleños. Pati meets Doña Evelia, who put Motul back on the map with her world-famous recipe. She also experiences the legacy of henequén at Hacienda Tamchén and encounters another egg dish in the kitchen, where chef Julio Dominguez makes Abuela’s Buttoned Eggs.
Temozoón is the birthplace of Yucatán’s signature smoked meat Carne Ahumada and everyone in town claims to have a relative who invented it. Pati strolls around town to try different versions of Carne Ahumada. She also returns to Hacienda Tamchén for another traditional dish prepared by chef Julio Dominguez called Huidzi Bii Wai, which means “united tortilla.”
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Today no trip to Yucatán is complete without seeing a beautiful cenote, natural freshwater pools in caves. But Mayans saw them as the gateway to the underworld. To learn more about Mayan communities, Pati visits Cenote Xocempich with activist and lawyer Zoila Cen, who has dedicated her career to helping Mayan people. The next day, Zoila invites Pati to her niece’s birthday celebration.
An ingredient Pati constantly uses is salt and Yucatán has one of the most unique salts. The Las Coloradas salt, which means blush red, gets its distinctive color from red algae. Engineer Felipe Perez takes Pati to the pink lakes where the salt is produced. Down the road in Rio Lagartos, conservationist Diego Nuñez takes her to see another pink wonder, Mexico’s highest concentration of flamingos.
Amazonas softball team; sweet potato and meat salpicon; pepita, egg and chaya tamales; roasted tomato and habanero salsa.
The Kentucky Bar, rumoured to be the birthplace of the margarita, in Ciudad Juarez; burritos at Burritos El Compa.
The Moreno brothers, who are famous for winning ultramarathons; the art of cooking with corn in Rarámuri cuisine, from nixtamalization to a traditional dish known as "chacales."
The basics of Rarámuri music; chef Ana Rosa Beltrán del Rio cooks a few ancient Chihuahuan recipes; the art of drying chilies.
Preserved foods that sustained people during the Mexican Revolution; a family that has lived for generations at Hacienda de San Diego.
A lesson in roping and riding from rodeo champion Ricardo "Bubba" Nevárez; carne asada; cattle rancher Alvaro Bustillos; serving up some cowboy delicacies.
Chili con queso in soft flour tortillas; Gustavo Vazquez's family farm has grown pecans for generations.
The basics of Mata Ortiz pottery; an asado de puerco feast.
Pati explores the culture of mysterious Mennonites, a religious community who came to Chihuahua from Germany. Mostly, she’s after what they’re best known for around Mexico, their cheese! She sees their traditional cheese-making process at Pampas Cheese Factory, the holder of the Guinness World Record for largest Mennonite cheese. Then she tries another local culinary innovation, Mennonite pizza.
In one of Chihuahua’s most remote areas, Guachochi, Pati shares a traditional Rarámuri meal with community leaders Alejandro Hernández and Margarita González, who advocate for land rights, political representation, and cultural preservation. At Kokoyome, a sustainable ranch in the Sinforosa Canyon, she learns about organic farming practices in the region.
