Exploring Mexico's Kitchen with Rick Bayless

Season 2

2023 · 20 episodes

Rick Bayless is proud to share these sensational recipes with you. This curated collection includes his all-time favorite traditional Mexican dishes, meals you can prepare on the fly, classic tacos and salsa, memorable cocktails, and more.

1Arroz a la TumbadaThis brothy seafood and rice dish can accommodate pretty much anything from the sea you can think of adding to it. When looking to make a nice quick meal, this version of Arroz a la Tumbada is perfect for company.
2Chipotle SalsaThis is the rusty-colored red chile version of the green chile roasted tomatillo salsa, minus the cilantro. When Frontera Foods opened 25 years ago, this was one of the five iconic salsas on the menu, and ever since, sales have soared.
3EnfrijoladasA plate of these addictive enfrijoladas served with a big salad and cold beer, or fruity red wine, makes for a delicious lunch or supper.
4Golden Eggplant TortaRick takes the ubiquitous, soul-satisfying, Torta de Milanesa found throughout Mexico, and swaps out the meat for golden-crusted eggplant, then adds fresh goat cheese, fresh greens, a spoonful of smoky chipotle salsa, and cheese garnish.
5Knife Sharpening: Honing SteelOne of the most essential tools in any home kitchen is a honing steel knife sharpener. Here, Rick demystifies the process so you can get in the habit of keeping your knives ready.
6A Tour of My Home KitchenRick gives you a quick tour of his home kitchen, including some custom-built features he added that add to his ability to entertain guests. Plus, he will offer one key tip for designing your kitchen for maximum efficiency.
7Machacado con HuevoRick Bayless introduces you to your new favorite breakfast. Ingredients-wise, he encourages you to buy carne seca that has already been pounded/milled from a Mexican grocery, or Online.
8Molcajete CareInvest a little time (and elbow grease) now to set yourself up for success later, by taking good car of your molcajete.
9Using a MolcajeteMolcajetes are for more than presenting your guacamole creations. Crushing rock against rock will bring out flavors and aromas that you will never achieve in a blender. Does it require more elbow grease? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.
10My Knife RollHitting the road? Be ready to cook anywhere with a well-stocked knife roll. Here, Rick reveals his essentials.
11Oaxacan Piedrazo SaladIn Spanish, a piedrazo translates to a "blow given with a stone," so the name itself serves as a warning. In this Spanish dish, 'the rock' is the chunk of hard bread, while the vinegar, chile, and salt are 'the blow' to your senses.
12Potato-Chorizo TacosThese tacos are down-right delicious. And you can make them in a flash. The best versions of these tacos that Rick has ever tasted are from street vendors, where they have the potato-chorizo mixture browning on the side of the griddle.
13Queso FundidoQueso fundido is, literally, melted cheese. That is, cheese put into an earthenware dish and melted beside, or over, a bed of coals. For this recipe, Rick took a page out of the fondue playbook and added a little beer to the mix.
14Roasted Tomatillo SalsaTomatillo salsa can be made in so many ways, and with varying proportions. Tomatillos are acidic and the process of roasting adds welcome sweetness. Plus, the bits of charred skin add a rustic gutsiness.
15Sikil PakThe Mayan-named 'sikil pak' is a preparation that has been passed down for generations. Some cooks emphasize tomatoes in their mixture, but Rick prefers allowing the richness of the seeds to shine through. This dish is easy to love.
16Sopa Seca de FideoWhile Rick admits there is something thoroughly craveable about a traditional fideo seco dish, this version gives it a run for its money. That said, crispy chorizo, diced avocado, and anejo cheese would not be at all out of place here.
17Tinga PoblanaRich in roasted tomatoes, browned meat, and smoky chipotle chiles, this is one of Rick's favorite dishes. In colonial Puebla, tinga is offered as a stew (what we will make here), a torta, and stuffing for masa turnovers.
18Torta de EloteDue to its buttery richness, Rick always serves this dish warm from the oven, or after giving it some heat in the microwave or low oven. Serving it warm is the best way to thoroughly indulge in the torta's moist tenderness.
19Tuna TostadaWhenever Rick arrives in Mexico City, he always makes a beeline straight to Contramar, Gabriela Camara's groundbreaking seafood restaurant, for a long, leisurely lunch that always includes the restaurant's famous Tuna Tostada.
20Weights and MeasuresWhen it comes to creating recipes, 'precision' is one of Rick's great talents. Fine-tuning your weighing and measuring skills, especially when baking, can help you perfect the cuisine you create in your home kitchen.

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