So, we are about to start another school year. This time around may be one of the most bittersweet for me, yet.
The sweet side: Season 5 of Pati’s Mexican Table premieres nationwide this September (here’s a sneak peek)!
I can’t believe we have gone from a first season, born out of the sheer passion to share everything from my native country with my new home country, to a fifth season that comes right on the heels of two unexpected Emmy nominations and two James Beard nominations.
Super sweet because, I’m guessing that like during past seasons, the boys and I will jump on the couch in front of our TV to watch every new Season 5 episode right after our late Saturday morning breakfast. (The time and day you get the episodes depends on where you are.)
Super duper sweet because the boys have always watched the episodes with me despite knowing them by heart. They know the episodes names, have eaten the recipes (many times, countless times) and when possible they have tagged along with me to Mexico.
Since this season’s theme is the Maya World, they were able to experience some of the magic of the Yucatán Peninsula: From diving into cenotes, to exploring ancient ruins, to eating the most traditional and the most modern foods from the region.
Now, about the bitter: This is the last season Alan will have been a part of while living at home. This is his last year in high school (can you believe it?!?). So I have been worrying about passing on to him as many skills as I can, so he can cook for himself at college.
The truth is I even wondered what it would be like if we moved back to Mexico, where kids tend to stay at home until they finish college, or even until they get married (yeah, that was me, after our wedding my husband and I went back to my mom’s house to pick up the bags I had packed that morning).
Anyway. I may have already gotten his head spinning trying to explain how to buy every single piece of produce in the market each time we are there. So it was only natural that we ended up with an episode called “Alan Goes to College,” where I tried to show him how easy it is to make some of his favorite things, including these insanely good double-baked potatoes.
It is truly ridiculous how good those potatoes are, with crispy bacon, Mexican crema and melty Oaxaca cheese. You can make them a whole meal on any school night, too!
That’s for the sweet and the bitter in my bittersweet start of this school year. But to end on a more sweet than bitter note…
I recently asked Alan, “when you are off to college, do you think you will want to be part of the next season, if I am lucky enough and work hard enough to continue?” I knew I could get a “nah, ma, it will be complicated,” so I pretended not to be beyond delighted to hear his “of course, ma” with that look of his that really says, “you are the silliest mom ever.”
(P.S. I hope you will go ahead and try these crazy good double-baked potatoes, as a taste of what’s to come in Season 5. If you’re a fan of spicing it up, like me, feel free to add in a couple of chipotle chiles.)
Mexican Overloaded Double-Baked Potatoes
Recipe Yield
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Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes washed and scrubbed
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 5 thick slices of bacon coarsely chopped
- 3/4 cup Mexican crema
- 3 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo sauce
- 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce minced, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt plus some to season the potatoes
- 1/2 cup Oaxaca cheese grated
To Prepare
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Using a fork, pierce potatoes all around, about 6 to 8 times. Rub potatoes with olive oil, season with salt, and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour until tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.
- In a medium skillet set over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp and lightly browned. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the crema with the sauce from chipoltles in adobo and minced chiles, if using (I do!). Set aside.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven. Using a knife, cut each one open lengthwise and carefully push the ends together, causing the center to open. Scoop out a couple spoonfuls of the cooked potato meat from each and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix well.
- Inside the scooped potatoes, layer a spoonful of the chipotle crema mixture, a spoonful of grated cheese and a spoonful of the seasoned potato meat. Repeat with the crema, cheese and potato meat. End with a bit of crema and cheese.
- Raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees, or turn on the broiler. Place the stuffed potatoes back on the baking sheet. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese has completely melted and has started to crisp. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with bacon and serve immediately.
Comments
63comments inMexican Overloaded Double-Baked Potatoes
Leslie Schoradt
Aug 23
Pati!
You and your beautiful family are a part of our Sunday mornings. We record every single episode! It’s harvest time today,and I just came in from picking grapes in the vineyard. I feel a hug 🤗 when I see your beautiful smile.
My husband tries to imitate your cute delight ( mmmm hum!. ) when you taste something scrumptious !
I adore cooking your recipes with him . Covid has been rough ,but we’re eating wonderfully!!
Much appreciation Leslie in CA
Pati Jinich
Aug 23
Thanks so much Leslie! I hope you guys stay strong and healthy; these are difficult times for all, but I am sure everrything is going to be alright. Take care in Cali 😉
Sarah in Oregon
Aug 14
Hi Pati. My little girls (Annie 10 and Lucy 8) love to cook and bake and they love your show. Annie’s going to make the skirt steak dinner tomorrow night. And I’m going to hug my 14-year-old son a little tighter. This was a heart-tugging episode. Thank you.
Pati Jinich
Aug 18
I know Sarah 🙂 They grow so fast… hugs to you and to your kids. How did Annie’s dinner came out?
Sarah in Oregon
Aug 28
It turned out beautifully and she was very proud! She looks forward to the next episode here on our local public TV station. Thank you!
Pati Jinich
Sep 05
Bravo!
AJ
Jul 15
WOW! These took a few minutes to make 🙂 but SO good and worth the wait! Follow the recipe exactly and you too will want to make them again! Yum! Thanks!!
Pati Jinich
Jul 19
Thanks AJ for sharing!
Carmen Olivo
Feb 20
Pati necesito la receta de enchiladas de pollo en salsa roja. Gracias anticipadas
Pati Jinich
Feb 20
Hola Carmen, tengo esta receta de enchiladas en salsa roja que puedes rellenar con pollo http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/enchiladas-in-red-tomato-sauce/ O tambien esta otra que es de enchiladas de pollo en salsa verde http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/sanborns-swiss-chicken-enchiladas/ Ojala te gusten!
Greg Bloomfield
Nov 16
Pati,
Te eres ana cocinadora de los angeles!!
I can’t wait to try your Mexican overstuffed baked potatos…I have made your recipes for family and friends; and tell you what, amiga mia. .you owe me some cookbook commissions…I’m 99% certain my guests went home and ordered your cookbook, muy pronto!!!
Loving the photo of you and your all-too-soon-grown up son…muy guapo, no? I didn’t know you could have married as a 12 year old…you are NOT old enough to have a son this old!!
Pues, gracias mente por toda su comida muy sabrosa…mas, por favor, senora?
Attmte,
Gregorio
Pati Jinich
Nov 19
Uy mil gracias, Greg! And thanks for spreading the word…I’ll for sure keep bringing you more recipes.
Lori Endsley
Sep 28
My son just started college too and it is bitter sweet!! My heart is a little sad. Now his younger brother and I are spending more time in the kitchen together. I’m going to make him this meal the first time he comes home. It looks incredible and just how we like it. Thank you!!
Pati Jinich
Sep 30
Oh I hope your son comes home for many more wonderful Mexican meals, Lori.
Vicki Bailey
Sep 01
Hi Patti! Love your show! On this same episode with the potatoes, you also make some good looking green beans that you made in the oven could I please get the recipe for them? Thank you in advance.
Pati Jinich
Sep 03
Here you go, Vicki: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/quick-charred-green-beans/ Enjoy!
Kari
Aug 28
Pati ~ my mom and I just watched your show with Alan going off to college. At the end, when you both were enjoying the meal, you were both so sweet. My mom started to cry. It was so enduring. God bless your family. Always enjoy seeing your show and your wonderful family! The Mexican creme cause was the #1 reason why I had to look up your recipe. 🙂
Pati Jinich
Aug 29
Aww I cried too during the filming, Kari. I’m so glad you guys enjoyed the episode and potatoes.
Evyenia
Sep 25
Blessings on your famiky for bringing Alan onto this episode. Made me cry then made me start my shopping list for cooking these baked potatoes for my son.
Efxharisto for bringing your boys into our TV kitchen.
Pati
Oct 03
Oh thank you so much Evyenia…I hope your son loves the potatoes as much as mine.
Gus Mena
Jul 30
Hi Patti, We like your recipes specially the one’s that are prepared with fewer ingredients, we live in Brisbane, Australia an many of the ingredients needed for those recipes are almost impossible to find if We could open a distribution centre for these products in Brisbane with the help of those big exporting companies from Mexico it’ll be great.
Many Thanks
Gus
Pati
Aug 01
Go for it, Gus!
Anonymous Canadian Viewer
Jan 18
I’ll let you know if they turn out well.
Pati
Jan 19
I hope you like it!
Anonymous Canadian Viewer
Jan 18
I’ve been wanting to make loaded baked potatoes for a while now. I was so excited when I saw you make them on your show. I am currently rewatching that episode and making the potatoes in a toaster oven. I’m substituting salami and bologna for bacon. What can I substitute for the chipotle, adobo sauce,and Mexican crema? Would President’s Choice Chipotle Mayo work? Sorry this message is so long. Another thing: Please do more episodes with cooking and grocery tips like the one you did with your son. Best of luck to him in college. Thanks.
Pati
Jan 19
The mayo you mentioned sounds like a good substitute for those three ingredients!
George
Nov 17
He double baked potatoes were awesome. I did a slight modification but nothing drastic. Adding the bacon in layers like the cream and cheese.
Thank you.
Pati
Nov 17
Yum!
Ana Maria Kulassia
Sep 27
Hello Pati, First, I would like to congratulate you on your show. I enjoy watching you cook in company of your family. I have already made some of your recipes which have been a success with my family. I do have a request, If all possible, can you include a picture of your dishes with the printed recipes? I would like to make sure that when I make something it would look similar to yours. I would really appreciate it if it all possible. Thank you and Congratulations again.
Pati
Sep 28
Thank you Anna Maria for the congratulations and suggestion! I will look into it..
Tomoko
Aug 08
Hello Pati! I am Tomoko from Japan. Your show has been broadcasted in Japan from this spring which is awesome! I am a big fun of your show and your recipes! It is also nice that you have a very happy atmosphere through the show! Good luck on your son, Alan for living alone. I loved the recipe of the baked potatoes. But sadly, there is no such Mexican seasoning selling in Japan as you have. We could explore not only the mexican food but culture from the ancient time and actual people’s living! I love your show very much! Sincerely, Tomoko
Pati
Aug 08
Thank you so much for your comment Tomoko! Super happy to hear you love the show and recipes.
Brenda
Jul 25
Pati, I just recently came across your show. Your food looks so good and I can’t wait to start trying some of your recipes. I can’t tell you what a pleasure and joy it has been watching you cook. I have learned so much about Mexico. It is so much more than a cooking show. I watched this episode last night and was in tears by the end of the show. You have a beautiful spirit and what a great family. I’m so glad I found Pati’s Mexican Table.
Pati
Jul 26
Brenda, thank you so much for your amazing message. That episode brought me to tears too…the editor had to blur the ending.
Betty
May 26
Hi Patti ..I love your show..i just watched your show..going to try the steak and pototes cant wait ..it looks so good…thanks for all your great recipes…
Pati
Jun 01
Thank you for tuning in Betty!
Emily from San Antonio, TX
Apr 26
Pati,
My friends and I love your show! I am currently trying to decide whether or not I should stay up to see the Alan Goes to College episode on Create @0200 in San Antonio. I checked the listing and it’s not being shown again for a while. (I only have a digital antenna and no DVR because I’m cheap and because I only bought a TV for when MY Ma comes to visit. [And watching you, Martha, and Jacques… Oh, and Norm from This Old House] )
I think your boys are so sweet and typical Mexican boys with their Ma! I really like their interactions with each other. The older boys are sweet to Juju, despite their teenage angst!
Oh no! I’m gonna fall asleep. Ah, well! I’ll catch it sometime! Thanks for the hours of entertainment! As my General told me, Keep on charging!
Pati
Apr 28
Emily thank you for your super sweet post! I hope I didn’t keep you up too late ;).
Jannina
Apr 05
Just made this today and it was AMAZING. Thank you Pati for sharing your wonderful recipes!
Pati
Apr 06
Thank YOU Jannina for trying them!
Tony
Feb 19
BEST potatoes ever! I’ll never use sour cream again. First use of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce and will not be the last there has to be a great dip recipe for these. I love your show. I love your cookbooks. I love you. Sorry – Not a stalker just a fan of great spicy food.
Pati
Feb 23
haha…thank you Tony for your sweet message. I can’t believe this was your first time trying chipotle in adobo!!! Here are a few more recipes that use them..but there are more on the website.
https://patyhinich.com/recipe/sweet-potato-and-pecan-puree/
https://patyhinich.com/recipe/mexican-style-pasta-with-tomato-sauce-chorizo-fresh-cream-2/
Karen
Feb 04
Pati, I watched your show this morning and it resonated with me so deeply. My son is only a freshman, but I have started to plant the seeds of how he can put some simple meals together for when it’s his turn to spread his wings. I was cracking up over the “toaster vs microwave” discussion…I’m totally with you! But alas, I’m betting the microwave will win out ?. We’ve already established that a rice cooker is a must-have for my son when he starts his college adventure. I just have to make sure he doesn’t try to live on rice alone ?. Just wanted to thank you for the lovely, bittersweet episode — made me tear up at the end, putting myself in your shoes. And of course, as always, the recipes looked delicious. Making the potatoes tomorrow, in fact for Sunday supper. Thank you for sharing your gifts and your beautiful family with us!
Pati
Feb 06
Thank YOU Karen! Good luck to you and your son when he is ready to start his college adventure.
Tasha
Feb 04
Hello Patti saw your show today and I enjoyed watching you and your son Allen the food looks amazing I would really like to learn more from you can u help me please I am anxious to learn more about Mexican food
Pati
Feb 06
Hola Tasha, Thank you so much for your message, and I am so happy you want to learn more about Mexican food! There are all sorts of tips throughout the website for you to explore.
Evelina
Jan 30
Hello pati! I watched this episode today and it was so sweet! I love your family. You are the only show I watch on tv. I’m recently married and have enjoyed trying out your recipes. Love love love your show! And anything I have tried to make always turns out awesome (recently made your lime pound cake… mmmm)
Evelina, Alaska
Pati
Feb 02
Evelina, I am so honored to be the only show you watch on TV – thank you for tuning in!
Martha Sweet
Jan 16
I discovered your show last year and I watch as often as I can now!
My oldest son Bennett is the same age as your Alan…and I saw your ‘bittersweet’ episode where you are giving Alan some cooking tips for is time at college, how cool!!
Bennett has a few cooking skills down, but mostly he is good at reheating leftovers ? But he too
is a Steak and potatoes lover…so I am hoping to show him this episode.
My brother-in-law is from Yautepec..just south of Cuarnavaca. All three of my kids speak Spanish and when my sister and her hubby are with us they speak only Spanish. I turned my sister on to your show and she loves it too! I especially love it when you explore Mexican cities and towns. I am looking forward to
visiting Mexico sometime soon!
Thank you!!
Pati
Jan 22
Thank you, Martha! And thank you not only for tuning into my show, but for turning your sister into watching it to 🙂
Best of luck to your son Bennett as he heads of to college… and to you too. Hope you continue to like and watch the show, and to try the recipes. I will keep adding more!
Kathy&Kaila
Jan 15
Hi Mrs. Patti
I am 10 years old and my mom turned on the TV and flipped through channels
I saw your cooking channel and ask if I could watch it she said, yeah sure, well after I watched you and your oldest son make the Mexican overloaded baked potato. I ask mom if we could make them she said, yes we can, now I can’t wait to eat them.
P.S- I LOVE LOVE LOVE your cooking show,
please tell your son Alan good luck in college for me.
Thanks for the recipe
Pati
Jan 22
Hey! So lovely to receive your email. Of course I will pass on your message to Alan, he will be very happy to receive it. Thanks for tuning into my show, so glad you found me, and good luck to you in the kitchen!
katie casabella
Dec 30
This episode was fantastic! Even my picky 3 year old said “I want that!”
Pati
Jan 02
=)
Yomara
Sep 14
Dear Pati, I just saw for the first time and episod of the mini pibis tamalitos! And the coconut dessert. And I just felt in love with your program and your charm. I can’t wait to tell all my family and looking forward for another episode. By the way I’m from Mexico but as you now I live in the US. And I was missing food dearly! But you had made that feeling banish!!
Yomara
Sep 14
Dear Pati, I just saw for the first time and episod of the mini pibis tamalitos! And the coconut dessert. And I just felt in love with your program and your charm. I can’t wait to tell all my family and looking forward for another episode. By the way I’m from Mexico but as you now I live in the US. And I was missing food dearly! But you had made that feeling banish!!
Pati
Sep 29
YAYYYY!! Thank you, Yomara!
Mary from Terry
Aug 28
I adore your food, Pati! My husband and I are spending this Christmas season in the Yucatan – Merida and Puerto Morelos and all parts in between – so I am very excited that you will have some shows this season about the foods of Yucatan so I’ll know some of the best things to eat while we are there! I can’t wait to go. Yummy!
Pati
Aug 30
Oh my goodness yes!!! This season is dedicated to Yucatan! I can’t wait to share with you. =)
Nadja Croft
Aug 19
Oh Congratulations on all of these very good things in your life, Pati! I have so enjoyed your wonderful spirit and your authentic, incredible “taste of Mexico!” All of the best to you and these potatoes look marvelous!
Pati
Aug 24
Thank you for your support!!
Gina
Aug 18
Todos sus hijos son guapos. Felicidades Alan!
Pati
Aug 24
=)