45 - 60 min.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Pineapple

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Pineapple
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Pineapple

Dulce de camote, candied sweet potatoes mashed with fruit and topped with toasted nuts, is a cherished dish throughout Mexico, eaten for breakfast with coffee and for dessert.
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: sweet potato
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds sweet potatoes scrubbed
  • 1 medium-to-large pineapple peeled, cored, and diced, with its juice
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar or grated piloncillo
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2/3 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425℉, with a rack in the middle. Cover a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Prick the sweet potatoes 5 or 6 times each with a fork or the tip of a paring knife and arrange on the baking sheet.
  • Bake the sweet potatoes for 50 minutes to an hour, depending on the size, until they are very soft, with juices beginning to ooze and caramelize on the baking sheet. Remove from the oven and let cool until you can handle them.
  • Carefully remove the skins from the sweet potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until very smooth.
  • Place the diced pineapple with all of its juice in a blender, and puree until smooth. Transfer to a large saucepan or Dutch oven, add the brown sugar, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and simmer until the mixture thickens, caramelizes, and reaches 210℉, usually 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the sweet potatoes and salt and mix together thoroughly with a sturdy whisk. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring and folding until you have a rich puree.
  • Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts or almonds in a small skillet over medium-low heat for a couple of minutes, stirring or shaking the pan, until lightly toasted and fragrant. Immediately remove from the pan.
  • Scrape the sweet potatoes into a serving bowl, garnish with the toasted nuts, and serve.

Notes

Dulce de Camote con Piña

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales
Print Recipe
4.75 from 4 votes

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales

Pepita, Egg and Chaya Tamales recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 10 “A Mayan League of their Own”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Eggs, pumpkin seeds, Tamales
Servings: 14 to 16 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the masa:

  • 1 pound chaya leaves can sub Swiss chard or spinach
  • 3 1/4 cups (about 1 pound) GOYA® Masarica
  • 2 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste, divided
  • 3 stems fresh epazote about 15 leaves, or sub cilantro, coarsely chopped

For the tamales:

  • 1/2 cup hulled raw pumpkin seeds lightly toasted
  • GOYA® Banana Leaves cut into 12” long pieces, rinsed, plus more for steaming tamales
  • 4 large eggs hardboiled, cooled, peeled, and cut lengthwise into 6 pieces
  • 1 cup Roasted Tomato and Habanero Salsa for filling, plus more for garnish

Instructions

To make the masa:

  • Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Once boiling, add the chaya leaves and let them cook for 2 minutes. Drain completely. Let them sit as you make the masa. Press with your hands to remove excess liquid as much as you can. Coarsely chop.
  • In a large bowl, combine the masa harina with the broth, using your hands to knead the dough until thoroughly mixed and very smooth, not “grainy.” Add the lard or vegetable shortening, and work it in, kneading, for a few minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of the salt, the chopped chaya and epazote, and mix until fully incorporated.

To assemble the tamales:

  • In a small saute pan or comal, set over medium-low heat, toast the pumpkin seeds for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are lightly toasted. Don’t let them brown or burn. Remove from the heat. Once they cool down, either finely chop or coarsely grind them in a spice mill or food processor along with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Scrape onto a bowl.
  • To prepare the banana leaves, turn a burner on to medium-low heat. Slowly pass each banana-leaf piece over the flame on both sides, until they change color and become fragrant, and set aside (so they will be resilient, malleable, and will not break).
  • One by one, set each leaf piece on your counter with the shiny, outer side down. Spoon about 1/3 cup of masa onto the center and spread to form a rectangle of about 5”x 3.” With the spoon, or your finger, make a shallow channel down the middle, creating a stripe in the masa. Add a couple teaspoons ground pepita, a couple pieces of hard boiled egg, and top with a tablespoon of salsa. Gently close each tamal by folding the longer sides first and then the short sides as if making a flat and tight package, but being careful not to press on the tamal too much.
  • Prepare your tamalera or steamer by adding just enough water to touch the bottom of the steaming basket. Line the steaming basket with a few banana-leaf pieces to gently cover the base. One by one, add the tamales, stacking them as evenly as you can, staggered in the same position as when you made them: laying them flat. Once you are done, cover with a few more pieces of banana leaves. Set the steamer uncovered over high heat, once there is a bit of steam coming out and the water starts boiling a few minutes later, cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for an hour.
  • The leaves will have changed to a much darker color and will have completely wilted to wrap themselves as a second skin over the tamales, and the tamales should feel firm. Turn off the heat. Let the tamales sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so they will settle. Serve the tamales with the roasted tomato and habanero salsa.

Notes

Dzotobichay Tamal

Edam Cheese Poundcake

Edam Cheese Poundcake
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Edam Cheese Poundcake

A delicious, rich poundcake with Dutch Edam cheese, which is widely used in Yucatán.
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cake
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

To make the cake:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting the pan
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 8 ounces finely grated Edam cheese about 2 cups, divided
  • 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter plus more to grease the pan
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs

To make the glaze:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

  • Adjust the rack to the bottom third of your oven and preheat to 325°F. Grease the bottom of a tube or bundt cake pan (that holds 10 cups of liquid) with a very generous amount of butter, dust with flour and shake off excess.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the flour with the baking powder. Set aside.
  • In the jar of a blender, combine 1 1/2 cups of grated Edam cheese, 1 cup sweetened condensed milk, and the water. Puree until completely smooth.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until soft at medium speed. Incorporate the sugar and continue beating until creamed and very soft. Reduce speed and incorporate the eggs, one at a time.
  • In 3 to 4 batches, alternate incorporating the flour mixture and the condensed milk mixture until thoroughly combined. Turn the batter into the prepared pan. Rotate it so the batter will settle.
  • Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until the top has browned and a toothpick comes out moist but not wet. Remove from the oven. Let cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, make the glaze. Place the softened butter in a medium bowl. Add the 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, teaspoon vanilla, and confectioners’ sugar and combine with a plastic spatula until fully incorporated.
  • Run the tip of a dinner knife around the mold to loosen the poundcake. Turn onto a cake platter. Pour the glaze on top and immediately sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup finely grated cheese.

Notes

Panqué de Queso Bola

Edam Cheese Potato Galette

Edam Cheese Potato Galette
Print Recipe
3.80 from 5 votes

Edam Cheese Potato Galette

Edam Cheese Potato Galette recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 12, Episode 2 “Guayabera World”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Potato
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small dice, plus more to butter the dish
  • 1 cup white onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 xcatic, güero, or banana chile stemmed, seeded and finely chopped, or may sub or add habanero for more heat
  • 4 cups thinly sliced chaya leaves may sub for spinach or swiss chard
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt divided, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper or to taste
  • 3 pounds russet or yellow potatoes
  • 6 ounces (or 1 1/2 cups) finely grated Edam Cheese

Instructions

  • Adjust the rack to the middle of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Once it is bubbling, add the onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens. Add the garlic and chile, stir and cook for another minute. Add chaya leaves and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, stir and cook until the chaya leaves soften, let out juices and almost dry out, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • In a large measuring cup or bowl, combine the heavy cream and milk, season with the remaining teaspoon salt and the black pepper, and stir.
  • Peel the potatoes and slice them into thin rounds using a knife or mandolin, place them in a bowl with cold water as you move along so they won’t turn brown.
  • Butter a round baking dish or cast iron pan and pour about a cup of the cream mixture into the bottom. Start spreading the potato slices in a circular pattern, evenly at the bottom. Once they have covered the cream, pour another cup of cream and repeat with more potatoes. Once you are about halfway through, add the chaya mixture in a single layer. Continue with the potatoes and cream mixture until you are all done. Press the potatoes down slightly into the milk so they will soak in the milk.
  • Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to prevent spills. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the cheese all over the top. Place back in the oven for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely cooked and soft, most of the liquid has been absorbed and thickened, and the cheese is melted and has begun to brown. Remove from the oven. Cover to keep warm until ready to serve, or let it settle for at least 5 minutes before diving in.

Notes

Tarta de Papas con Queso Edam

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas

Pork Stew Stacked in Corn Tortillas from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 3 “The World Cup of Tacos”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: beans, chile, corn tortillas, pork
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the asado de puerco:

  • 3 pounds pork loin fat on, cut into 3/4” cubes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 peeled garlic cloves
  • 10 whole allspice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt

For the chile sauce:

  • 4 ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 4 guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 pound ripe Roma tomatoes
  • 2 unpeeled garlic cloves
  • 1 thick slice of a white onion about 2 ounces
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano chile
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • Rind of an orange

To make empalmes (corn stacks):

Instructions

To make the asado de puerco:

  • Place the meat in a large, heavy casserole. In a piece of cheesecloth, wrap the bay leaves, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and the whole allspice. Tie with a piece of kitchen twine and place over the pork. Cover the pork with water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Give it a stir. Set over high heat and let it come to a boil. Remove any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to medium high and continue cooking until water has completely cooked off, about 45 minutes.

To make the chile sauce:

  • Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. On a preheated comal or medium skillet set over medium heat, toast the ancho and guajillo chiles for about a minute per side. Until they toast, change color and begin to fume, but don’t let them burn. Transfer them to a small saucepan and cover them generously with water. Place over medium-high heat and let cook for about 10 minutes, until they plump up and rehydrate. Turn off the heat and set aside.
  • On the same comal, place the tomatoes, 2 unpeeled garlic cloves, onion and jalapeño. Let them cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, and flip every 2 to 3 minutes as they char (alternatively you roast or char them under the broiler or on a grill for a similar amount of time). Once the skin is completely charred, and the tomatoes are very mushy and the onion and jalapeño are very soft, transfer them all to the jar of a blender, making sure to remove the skin of the charred garlic cloves. Add the rehydrated ancho and guajillo chiles along with 1 cup of their simmering liquid, an additional cup of water, the oregano, cumin seeds, and 1 teaspoon salt. Purée until completely smooth.
  • Once the water has completely cooked off from the pork, remove the cheesecloth packet and let the meat cook in its own fat for about 3 to 4 minutes, until it has browned on all sides. You may add a bit of lard or oil if the pork didn’t have much fat to begin with.
  • Reduce the heat to medium low and add the chile sauce. Stir well and incorporate the orange rind. Let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and seasoned and the pork is completely tender. The stew should be very saucy.

To make the empalmes:

  • For crunchy empalmes – In a skillet or comal preheated over medium heat, place a couple of corn tortillas and spread a tablespoon of Frijoles con Veneno on each tortilla. Top them generously with asado de puerco and cover with another corn tortilla on top. Let the tortillas gently brown on the bottom for about a minute or two. Gently flip and let them brown on the other side for a minute or two. You have a single-stack empalme. If you want a double-stack empalme, add one tortilla, frijoles, asado, another tortilla, frijoles, asado, and another tortilla on top.
  • For a soft empalme platter – Serve a hot corn tortilla on a plate, spread Frijoles con Veneno onto the tortilla, and add a generous amount of asado de puerco on top. Then add 3 to 4 more warm corn tortillas on top of the asado.

Notes

Asado de Puerco con Empalmes

Roasted Charred Chicken

Roasted Charred Chicken
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Roasted Charred Chicken

Roasted Charred Chicken from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 9 "A Day with Hugo"
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, oregano
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 1 serrano or jalapeño chile stemmed, cut into pieces (seeding optional)
  • 2 teaspoons dried piquín chiles
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 4-5 pound whole chicken patted dry
  • 1 celery stick coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 white onion coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup parsley leaves and upper part of stems coarsely chopped
  • Serve with Super Greens Salad with Oregano Vinaigrette or at least the Oregano Vinaigrette for dipping or drizzling over the chicken

Instructions

  • In the jar of a blender, add the lime juice, garlic, serrano chile, piquín chiles, oregano, cumin, Dijon, Worcestershire, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and oil. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Gently, use your fingers to separate the chicken skin from the flesh wherever possible, so you can add the marinade. Completely cover the chicken with the wet rub/marinade, inside the chicken cavity and under and over the skin. Stuff the cavity with the chopped celery, onion, and parsley. You can roast immediately or place in a container, cover, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
  • When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 450℉ with the rack in the lower position. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and place on a rack in a roasting pan. Crisscross the legs and tie with twine, and tuck the wings behind the back.
  • Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉, and when pierced with a knife, the juices run completely clear, if any. Remove from the oven, cover with foil and let sit for at least 10 minutes before carving.
  • Carve the chicken and serve with the Super Greens Salad and a generous amount of the Oregano Vinaigrette drizzled on top.

Notes

Pollo Rostizado Norteño

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs

Chile Lime Babyback Ribs
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs

Chile-Lime Baby Back Ribs recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 11, Episode 1 "The Fire Kings"
Cook Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pork, ribs
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds baby back ribs
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 10 to 12 garlic cloves peeled
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons dried piquín chile or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa to serve

Instructions

  • Ask your butcher to cut the baby back rib racks in half, making them half their width. Once at home, remove their back membrane. Cut them into pieces with 3 ribs per piece and place them in a bowl.
  • Make the marinade: In the jar of a blender, add the lime juice, vinegar, oil, garlic, dried piquín, oregano, salt, and pepper. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Pour the marinade over the ribs and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator anywhere from 2 to 24 hours.
  • When ready to cook, remove the ribs from the refrigerator. Preheat your grill to medium. Brush the grill grates clean with a large piece of white onion.
  • Place the ribs in 3 to 4 large pieces of aluminum foil, in a single layer and seal the tops tightly, making flat packets. Place them over direct heat and cook for 1 hour, flipping the packets over once in between.
  • Remove the packets from the grill, open them up, and place the ribs directly on the grates, bone sides down first. Grill for about 4 to 5 more minutes per side, with the lid closed, until they char and brown for a delicious crunch along the edges.
  • Serve with the Green Piquín Chile and Oregano Salsa on the side, to dip the ribs as you eat them.

Notes

Costillitas con Sal, Chile y Limón

Chocolate and Vanilla Three Kings’ Bread

Chocolate and Vanilla Rosca de Reyes
Print Recipe
4 from 7 votes

Chocolate and Vanilla Three Kings’ Bread

Rosca de Reyes is the Mexican version of Three Kings’ Bread. I wanted to create a version for my family, featuring just the parts we love. So why not make a chocolate-and-vanilla marbled bread with a chocolate-and-vanilla sugar coating?
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: bread, Chocolate, vanilla
Servings: 15 servings; makes 1 large ring-shaped bread
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the starter:

  • 1/2 cup whole milk heated to lukewarm
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

For the dough:

  • 1 tablespoon orange blossom water or rose water (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 4 large eggs
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter cut into 1⁄2-inch cubes, at room temperature, plus more for the bowls
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

For the topping:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter or 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk, for brushing

Instructions

To make the starter: 


  • Whisk the milk, yeast, and granulated sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk in the flour. Cover with a clean kitchen towel, set in a warm, draft-free place, and let stand until the mixture begins to bubble, 20 to 25 minutes.

To make the dough: 


  • Attach the bowl to the mixer stand and fit it with the paddle attachment. Add the orange flower or rose water (if using), vanilla, orange zest, eggs, flour, granulated sugar, and salt to the starter and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape the bowl and beater and switch to the dough hook. Beat on medium speed for 10 to 12 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and starts to make a slapping sound.
  • On low speed, add the butter in 4 to 6 additions, incorporating each addition before adding the next one. From time to time, scrape the bowl. When all of the butter has been added, increase the speed to medium and beat for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough slaps against the sides of the bowl again. It will still be sticky, but don’t be tempted to add more flour.
  • Butter two medium bowls. Remove the dough from the mixer bowl, divide it in half, and return one half to the bowl. Shape the other piece into a ball and transfer to one of the buttered bowls.
  • Add the cocoa powder to the dough in the mixer bowl and mix on low speed until incorporated. Turn the dough out, shape it into a ball, and place in the other buttered bowl. Cover each bowl with plastic or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, 1 to 1 1⁄2 hours.
  • Gently deflate both portions of dough with your fist and shape into balls again. Cover and let rise in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, or for as long as overnight.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and set, still covered, in a warm, draft-free spot for about an hour so it comes to room temperature and rises.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the doughs from the bowls and shape each one into a ball. Press each ball down to flatten it slightly. Place the vanilla round on top of the chocolate round and stretch it so that it completely envelops the chocolate round, turning the dough over to stretch it over the bottom. Make a hole in the center of the dough by pushing your fist through it, then gently stretch the dough out to make a 9-x-13-inch oval.
  • Place the dough on the baking sheet. Insert a couple of plastic Baby Jesus figurines into the dough, if using. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise for an hour or so, until the dough has puffed.
  • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350℉ degrees, with a rack in the middle.

To make the topping:

  • Combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, butter or shortening, and vanilla in a medium bowl and mix together into a smooth paste with your hands. Divide the paste in half. Add the cocoa powder to one half and knead and mix well until evenly incorporated. Divide each of the pastes into about 6 portions and shape into balls.
  • Gently brush the bread with the egg wash. Roll each paste ball into a log and then press to flatten it into a strip about 7 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 inch thick. Arrange them on the bread, alternating chocolate and vanilla strip, at approximately 2-inch intervals.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and makes a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom. Cool on a rack before slicing.

Notes

Rosca de Reyes de Chocolate y Vainilla

Jalisco-Style Chicken Tamales

Jalisco-Style Chicken Tamales
Print Recipe
4 from 8 votes

Jalisco-Style Chicken Tamales

Jalisco-style Chicken Tamales recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 6 “Tradition and Innovation”
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Antojos, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, jalapeno, masa, Poblano, Tamales, Tomato
Servings: 16 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

Tamal dough:

  • cups (326g) masa harina
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (184g) lard or vegetable shortening
  • cups (738g) chicken broth

Filling:

  • 3 poblano chiles
  • 1 pound ripe tomatoes or one 14.5-ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup (71g) chopped white onion
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 4 whole cloves stemmed and crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (70g) chopped manzanilla olives stuffed with pimentos
  • 1/4 cup (46g) coarsely chopped capers
  • 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeños
  • 3 cups (330g) shredded cooked chicken

For assembly:

  • 30 to 36 dried corn husks

Instructions

To make the tamal dough:

  • Whisk together the masa harina, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Place the lard or vegetable shortening in a mixer set with the paddle attachment and beat on high until very light, about 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the speed and add the chicken broth and masa harina mixture alternately, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Once it has all been added, raise speed to medium and continue beating for about 4 to 8 minutes, until the dough is homogeneous, very fluffy, and aerated.
  • To test if the dough is ready, drop 1/2 teaspoon into a cup of cold water. If it floats, it is ready. If it sinks, beat longer to aerate further.

To make the filling:

  • Place poblano chiles and tomatoes (if using fresh) on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Place under the broiler and char for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping a couple times in between, until charred, soft, and wrinkled.
  • Remove the poblanos and tomatoes from the oven. Place the poblanos in a plastic bag, close the bag, and set aside to allow the poblanos to steam and sweat for at least 10 minutes, and up to 2 hours. Remove the poblanos from the bag and in a bowl of water, or under a gentle stream of running water, peel away the charred skin. Next, cut a slit down the side of each poblano and remove the seeds and stems before cutting into strips of about 1” x 1/4”. Set aside.
  • Chop the broiled tomatoes into 1/2″ pieces. If using canned tomatoes, simply chop them.
  • In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, a minute or two longer.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes (including the skins, seeds, and juices), cumin, crushed tops of the whole cloves, and salt. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture is dark red and thickened. Add poblanos, olives, capers, pickled jalapeños and chicken, stirring to combine. Cook for 5 more minutes.

To assemble tamales:

  • In a large bowl, soak the dried corn husks in hot water for at least 10 minutes, or until soft and pliable, drain.
  • Working with one corn husk at a time, lay it out with the tapered end pointing towards you. Portion about 1/4 cup (50g) masa onto the husk – a scone or muffin scoop works well here. Spread the masa into a rectangle, about 3” x 5”; the layer should be about 1/4” thick, leaving a border of at least 1/2” on the sides and at least 1” on the bottom. Place 2 tablespoons of the filling (about 40g) in the middle of the rectangle.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together (the masa will start to swaddle the filling). Fold the joined sides of the husk together to one side of the tamal, wrapping them in the same direction around the tamal. Fold up the empty section of the husk, with the tapering end from the bottom up and spread the tamal gently so it is evenly distributed. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open. Place the tamales as vertically as you can in a container (open side up) and repeat the assembly with the remaining masa and filling.

To steam tamales:

  • Fill a steamer with water right up to the bottom of the steaming base or basket and bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Line the steamer base or basket with a layer of soaked corn husks. Place the prepared tamales as vertically as you can into the prepared steamer with the open end facing up. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in some more corn husks, so the tamales will be snug and not shift around. Cover the tamales with more soaked corn husks and steam, covered with a lid, for about an hour.
  • Turn off the heat and let them rest and settle in the steamer for at least 10 minutes. You can test the tamales for doneness by unwrapping one and checking to see that it releases easily from the husk. If it doesn’t, return the steamer to the heat, checking them at 5-minutes increments. Finished tamales will stay warm for about 2 hours in the steamer.

Storage information:

  • Tamales can be made ahead several days before and stored in the refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in a steamer; for refrigerated tamales, it will take about 20 minutes and about 45 minutes for frozen tamales.

Notes

Tamales Tapatíos

Jericalla de Cajeta

Jericalla de Cajeta
Print Recipe
4 from 7 votes

Jericalla de Cajeta

Jericalla de Cajeta recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 10, Episode 3 “Jalisco Classics”
Cook Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Cajeta, Dulce de Leche, Eggs
Servings: 8 individual custards
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup cajeta or dulce de leche
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

  • Place the milk, vanilla extract and cajeta in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 2 minutes more, stirring. Remove from the heat and let it sit until it cools down.
  • Preheat the oven to 350℉.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the egg yolks with a fork or whisk, until pale yellow and thick, about a minute. Add the cooled milk a ladle at a time, incorporating with the fork or whisk.
  • Pour the mixture into the individual ramekins, dividing evenly among all. Place in a baking dish or roasting pan and create a water bath by pouring enough boiling water to reach halfway up the ramekins. Carefully place into the oven. Bake for about 50 minutes, or until the custard has begun to set and the top has created an evident thick layer. It will still look jiggly in the center.
  • Remove the pan from the oven, sprinkle the top of each jericalla with sugar. Set oven to broil, return pan with ramekins to broil for 30 seconds or until sugar has melted and browned. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly and remove the ramekins from the water bath.
  • The jericalla should be creamy and smooth, but more runny than a pudding. Let cool and chill in the fridge before serving. It will continue to set as it chills.

Wild Crunchy Granola

Wild Crunchy Granola
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Wild Crunchy Granola

A crunchy granola loaded with nuts, sunflower seeds, pepitas, amaranth, and quinoa. You can sweeten it up with dried cherries, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes as you please. 
Cook Time55 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: granola
Servings: 6 to 7 cups
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup pecans very coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup raw cashews very coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup shelled, unsalted peanuts very coarsely chopped
  • 2/3 cup hulled, raw pumpkin seeds or pepitas
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup amaranth
  • 1/3 cup white quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup safflower oil
  • 1/2 cup dried sour cherries optional to taste
  • Bittersweet chocolate chips optional to taste
  • Sweetened coconut flakes optional to taste

Instructions

  • Set the baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, add the rolled oats, pecans, cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, amaranth seeds, and quinoa along with the salt. Toss to combine. 
  • In a small saucepan, combine the honey with the oil. Set over low heat and stir for a minute or so, until completely dissolved. 
  • Pour the honey and oil mixture over the nuts and seeds mixture and toss to coat. Spread over the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 55 minutes, stirring once in between.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool. Scrape onto a bowl and add the dried sour cherries, chocolate chips and coconut flakes to taste. Store in a closed container with a tight lid.
  • Use the granola as a snack to munch on its own, on top of yogurt, ice cream, over fruit, or mixed with queso fresco or on top of fresh ricotta cheese.

Notes

Granola crujiente

Dirty Rice with Clams

Dirty Rice with Clams
Print Recipe
4.80 from 5 votes

Dirty Rice with Clams

Dirty Rice with Clams recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 8 "Super Sonoran"
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Almejas, arroz, chile colorado, clams, Colorado chiles, dirty rice, guajillo chiles, Mexican rice, Mexico, new mexico, pati’s mexican table, Sonora, Sonoran
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 5 dozen littleneck clams
  • 2 dried Colorado, New Mexico or guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 pound ripe roma tomatoes
  • 3 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt divided, or to taste
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 2/3 cup finely chopped leeks white and light green parts
  • 2/3 cup peeled and finely chopped carrots
  • 2/3 cup beer
  • 1 to 2 cups water or your choice of chicken, vegetable or seafood broth, or as needed
  • 2 cups white rice or jasmine white rice
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro leaves or a combination of both for garnish

Instructions

  • Rinse and scrub the clams under a thin stream of cold water. Discard any that are open or broken. Drain well.
  • Place the chiles, tomatoes and garlic cloves in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the chiles have plumped and rehydrated and the garlic and tomatoes are fully cooked, soft and mushy, but not falling apart. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes, chiles and garlic to a blender, along with 1 cup of the cooking liquid, and allow to cool slightly. Add the cumin, oregano and 1 teaspoon salt. Puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat in a large wide casserole or lidded sauté pan. When the butter begins to foam add the onion, bell pepper, leek and carrot, and cook, stirring often, for about 5 to 6 minutes, until the vegetables have fully softened and begun to lightly brown along the edges. Stir in the wine or beer and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and simmer until the wine or beer has just about evaporated, about 4 to 5 minutes. The vegetables should be quite soft and moist but not wet.
  • Pour the tomato puree over the vegetables, bring to a boil and add all the clams. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until the shells open. Turn off heat and leave undisturbed for 5 more minutes. Uncover and, using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove all the clams and place in a bowl. Transfer the sauce and vegetables to a bowl or a large heatproof measuring cup and wipe the casserole or sauté pan clean. Add enough water or broth to the sauce to measure 5 cups.
  • Remove about 3 dozen clams from the shells and discard the shells.
  • Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in the casserole or sauté pan until hot but not smoking. Add the rice and cook, stirring often, until it crackles, becomes milky white, and feels heavier as you stir it, about 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t let it brown. Stir in the reserved sauce and veggies and the remaining teaspoon salt. Stir well, add all the clams, both shelled and those still in their shells, bring back to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the rice has cooked. Taste the rice, and if it seems a bit too dente or not fully cooked and all of the liquid has almost evaporated, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or broth, scrape the bottom, cover and cook for a few more minutes.
  • When ready to serve fluff with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro or both and dig in.

Notes

Arroz con Almejas

Rice with Lentils and Caramelized Onions

rice with lentils and caramelized onions
Print Recipe
4.89 from 9 votes

Rice with Lentils and Caramelized Onions

Rice with Lentils and Caramelized Onions recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 6 "Sonoran Family Favorites for Sami"
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: caramelized onions, lentils, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, rice
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 cup lentils rinsed and drained
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2 large white onions coarsely chopped
  • 2 cups jasmine white rice or extra long white rice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ancho chile or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste
  • 5 cups chicken broth vegetable broth or water

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water with the bay leaves to a boil. Add the lentils, reduce the heat to medium, cover partially with a lid and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the lentils are just cooked and tender but not mushy or falling apart. Drain, remove the bay leaves and set aside.
  • In a large wide casserole or heavy sauté pan that has a tight fitting lid, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. The onions will first soften and become translucent and then they will brown, which is what you want. Stir and make room in the middle, add the remaining olive oil, and add the rice. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, gently stirring with the browned onions. The rice will quickly change from a grayish white to a bright white color and feel heavier in the spoon. Don’t let it brown. Make room in the middle once again, and add the cooked lentils, cumin, oregano, ground ancho chile, turmeric, coriander and salt, and stir well. Add the broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting, cover, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until most or all of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is cooked. Remove the lid and check to see that the rice is cooked. If it is, fluff with a fork, and serve. If it is still a bit al dente, add a couple of more tablespoons of water, cook for a few more minutes, and test.
  • Taste and adjust salt, and serve.

Notes

Arroz con Lentejas

Peanut Butter and Jelly Grape Galette

peanut butter and jelly grape gallete
Print Recipe
4.20 from 5 votes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Grape Galette

Peanut Butter and Jelly Grape Galette recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 9, Episode 4 "Carne Asada with La Familia"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French, Mexican
Keyword: crust, galette, grapes, jelly, Jellyberries, Mexico, pati’s mexican table, peanut butter, Peanuts, tart, tarta
Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour plus more to work the dough
  • Pinch kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter diced
  • 1/4-1/3 cup cold water

For the galette:

  • 4 cups Jellyberries Grapes or red seedless grapes, about one bunch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon about 1/4 cup juice
  • Pinch kosher or sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup roasted, salted peanuts coarsely chopped
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream divided
  • 2 tablespoons salted, roasted peanuts chopped

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  • Place the flour, salt, granulated sugar and diced cold butter in a food processor. Pulse a few times, until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. Add the cold water while pulsing again a few times until the dough starts to come together and becomes more moist. Turn out of the food processor and gather into a ball. Lightly dust your countertop with flour, and knead the dough 3 to 4 times until it comes together. Shape into a large, flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about an hour.

To make the galette:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and remove the dough from the refrigerator.
  • In a large bowl, add the grapes, vanilla, granulated sugar, lemon zest and salt. In a small bowl mix the lemon juice and cornstarch together, then add it to the grape mixture. Stir to combine and set aside.
  • Sprinkle your work surface and rolling pin with flour and roll the dough out into about a 14-inch circle.
  • Carefully transfer the dough to the lined baking sheet. Spread the 1/2 cup of chopped peanuts onto the dough in a single layer, leaving a 2-inch border. Spread the grape mixture on top of the peanut layer. Fold up the sides of the dough to create a slightly overlapping, pleated crust of about 2 inches over the fruit. Brush the dough with the egg and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar (pressing the sugar into the crust a little with your hands).
  • Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to cool for 10-15 minutes.

To make the topping:

  • While the galette is cooling, make the topping. In a large bowl stir the peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar with 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until completely smooth and combined. Pour in the remaining heavy cream and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
  • Cut the cooled galette into wedges and top with peanut butter whipped cream. Sprinkle around the 2 tablespoons of chopped peanuts.

Notes

Tarta de Uvas con Cacahuate

Cheese and Shrimp Pasta Bake

Cheese and Shrimp Pasta Bake
Print Recipe
4.89 from 9 votes

Cheese and Shrimp Pasta Bake

Cheese and Shrimp Pasta Bake recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 8, Episode 12 “Home Cooking Sinaloa Style"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: anaheim chiles, asadero cheese, chile de arbol, chiltepín chiles, green onions, mexican crema, Monterrey Jack cheese, Oaxaca cheese, pasta, pati’s mexican table, queso anejo, scallions, Shrimp, tomato paste, Tomatoes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 fresh Anaheim chiles
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 3 pounds ripe on the vine tomatoes washed and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves finely chopped or pressed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste, divided, plus more to season shrimp
  • 1 6- ounce can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon crushed dried chiltepín chiles chile de árbol, or red pepper flakes
  • 1 pound short and small pasta such as rigatoni or shells
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 pounds large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups Mexican crema
  • 1 cup grated asadero or quesadilla cheese can also substitute with Monterey Jack or Muenster
  • 1 1/2 cup grated Oaxaca cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated añejo cheese or parmesan
  • 3 to 4 scallions white and light green parts thinly sliced, for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Place the Anaheim chiles on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Put under the broiler for about 10 minutes, flipping a couple times in between, until charred on all sides. Immediately transfer the charred chiles to a plastic bag and seal tightly to sweat them for at least 5 minutes. Take the chiles out of the bag, let cool slightly, then peel off the skin and remove the stems and seeds. Coarsely chop the chiles and set aside.
  • Heat an oven-proof heavy bottomed skillet or casserole over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil and heat until the oil is rippling. Add the onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it is translucent and starts to brown at the edges.
  • While the onion is cooking, add the tomatoes to a blender. Pulse in the blender until the tomatoes are crushed but are still a little chunky. Set aside until ready to use.
  • Add the garlic and chopped Anaheim chiles to the pan with the onion, stir, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for another couple minutes until the garlic starts to brown. Add the tomato paste, stir it into the vegetables, and let it cook and season for another minute. Pour in the crushed tomatoes from the blender and stir making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to scrape up any browned bits. Season with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and the crushed dried chiles. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened and is flavorful. Turn off the heat when ready.
  • Set a rack on the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450°F.
  • Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Melt the butter and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. When melted, sizzling, and hot, add the shrimp in a couple batches and season with salt and pepper to taste. Saute a couple minutes until the shrimp are just cooked. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl or plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp. Chop half of the shrimp, leaving half whole to top the pasta.
  • Add the pasta to the sauce along with the chopped shrimp and the crema and toss to coat. Top with the remaining whole shrimp and cover with the grated asadero, Oaxaca, and añejo cheeses. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and golden brown. Sprinkle the top with scallions.

Notes

Cazuela de Pasta con Queso

Lobster Chilaquiles

Lobster Chilaquiles
Print Recipe
4.84 from 6 votes

Lobster Chilaquiles

Lobster Chilaquiles recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 8, Episode 6 "El Fuerte, Magic Town"
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chilaquiles, Chipotle, cilantro, corn tortillas, jalapeno, lobsters, mexican crema, morita chiles, onion, pati’s mexican table, queso fresco, tomatillos, Tomatoes, tortilla chips
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the salsa:

  • 2 to 3 dried morita or chipotle chiles
  • 1 1/2 pounds about 6 ripe Roma tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 pounds about 12 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • 1/2 white onion cut into large pieces
  • 2 to 3 fresh jalapeños stemmed
  • 3 unpeeled garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the tortilla chips:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 12 corn tortillas cut into triangles
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt or to taste

For the lobsters:

  • 4 1- and-a-quarter to 1-and-a-half pound live lobsters or you can substitute thawed lobster tails

For the toppings:

  • 1 cup crumbled queso fresco
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Mexican crema to taste

Instructions

To make the salsa:

  • Place the morita chiles in a small bowl, cover with hot water, and let them sit and soften for at least 10 minutes.
  • Place the tomatoes, tomatillos, onion chunks, jalapeños, and unpeeled garlic cloves on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Place under the broiler and roast 12 to 15 minutes, flipping a couple times in between, until the skin of tomatoes and tomatillos has completely blistered and charred, they seem very mushy, and their juices have started to come out. The garlic cloves and chiles must also have blackened and charred. Remove from the broiler and let cool.
  • When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic cloves and place in a blender along with the jalapeños, tomatoes, tomatillos, and onion. Take the morita chiles out of the soaking water, remove their stems and seeds, and add to the blender with the rest of the ingredients. Add salt and puree until completely smooth. If you want, you can add the chiles one at a time and taste for heat.
  • In a medium saucepan, heat one tablespoon oil over medium heat. Once hot, pour in the salsa and quickly cover partially with a lid, as it will splatter all over the place. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring a couple times in between.

To make the tortilla chips:

  • Place rack in the middle of oven and preheat to 375°F.
  • Brush a baking sheet with a couple tablespoons oil. Spread the tortilla pieces all over and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste. Bake the tortilla chips for 25 to 30 minutes or until crisp and golden brown, flipping in between. Remove from the oven when ready.

To cook the lobsters:

  • Place lobsters on a baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes before cooking.
  • When ready to cook, place a lobster in the center of a chopping board with the head towards you (you can put some paper towels or a thin kitchen towel under so it will be steady and will soak up any juices that come out). Hold the lobster tightly in place by the tail and place the tip of a very sharp knife where the head separates from the body, with the sharp edge of the knife facing the head. With much determination jab the tip of the knife in and pull the blade down straight between the eyes and onto the chopping board. Repeat with the other 3 lobsters.
  • Then, flip the lobsters over and cut the tail right down the middle. Clean the inner parts with a spoon.
  • Preheat an outdoor or indoor grill, or grill pan, on medium-high heat. Generously brush the lobsters with the prepared salsa. Place cut side down flat on the grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Flip to the other side, and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Leave 4 halves of the lobsters intact, just as they came off the grill. Remove the meat from the remaining 4 halves, both from the tail and the claws and coarsely chop.

To make the queso topping:

  • In a small bowl, combine the crumbled queso, white onion, and cilantro.

To assemble:

  • Pour the salsa into a large bowl, add the tortilla chips and chopped lobster meat and toss. Divide the chilaquiles among 4 plates and place one of the intact lobster halves on each. Top with the queso topping and Mexican crema to taste.

Notes

Chilaquiles con Langosta

Campechano Tacos with Street Style Salsa

Campechano Tacos with Street Style Salsa
Print Recipe
3.63 from 8 votes

Campechano Tacos with Street Style Salsa

Campechano Tacos with Street Style Salsa recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 8, Episode 4 “Los Mochis, Street Taco Favorites”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicharrón, cilantro, corn tortillas, flank steak, garlic, longaniza, onion, pati’s mexican table, Salsa Callejera, tacos
Servings: 8 tacos
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds flank steak cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1/2 pound longaniza casings removed, chopped (or substitute Mexican chorizo)
  • 1/2 pound pork chicharrón crumbled or chopped into small pieces
  • 8 corn tortillas store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup finely chopped white onion for garnish
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro leaves for garnish
  • Salsa Callejera

Instructions

  • Place the meat, garlic, onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, and a teaspoon of salt in a large casserole or pot. Cover generously with water and place over high heat. Once it comes to a simmer, reduce heat to medium low, remove any foam that may have risen to the top, cover, and cook for an hour and a half until the meat is completely tender and falling apart. Turn off heat and set aside.
  • Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat with a slotted spoon and chop into small pieces. Set aside.
  • Set a large saute pan over medium-high heat, once hot add a tablespoon of oil. Add the longaniza or chorizo and brown, crumbling into smaller pieces with a couple wooden spoons or spatulas as it cooks, for about 5 minutes until crisp and brown. Add the chopped meat, stir, and cook for a couple minutes until it starts to brown as well. Incorporate the chicharrón, mix it all up and turn off the heat.
  • Preheat a comal or skillet over medium-low heat. Heat the tortillas for about a minute per side until completely hot with brown specks on both sides. Assemble the tacos, or let people assemble their own, by adding some of the meat mix and topping with chopped onion, cilantro, and salsa callejera.

Notes

Tacos Campechanos de Suadero, Longaniza y Chicharrón con Salsa Callejera

Flan Napolitano

Flan Napolitano
Print Recipe
4.82 from 11 votes

Flan Napolitano

Flan Napolitano recipe from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 8, Episode 11 “Flan Napolitano”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cream cheese, custard, evaporated milk, flan, pati’s mexican table, Sweetened Condensed Milk, vanilla
Servings: 8 individual flans
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • One 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • One 12- ounce can evaporated milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces (or 1/2 cup) cream cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°Position rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Heat the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Swirl occasionally, but do not stir. Cook until the sugar is melted and turns to caramel, about 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the caramel evenly into eight 6-ounce ramekins. Let the caramel cool slightly while you make the batter.
  • Add the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, and cream cheese to a blender and puree until smooth. Pour the mixture into the ramekins with the caramel, dividing it evenly among them.
  • Place the filled ramekins into a roasting pan. Pour boiling water into the roasting pan filling to about halfway up the sides of the ramekins — making sure not to get any water in them. Cover the whole pan tightly with aluminum foil and very carefully and evenly lower into the oven, as to not splash the water. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the flan has set.
  • Very carefully take the baking pan out of the oven to not splash the water. Also, be careful removing the foil as there will be hot steam escaping. Use tongs or an oven mitt to remove the flans from the roasting pan (the ramekins will be hoand allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least a couple hours. They will keep for up to 1 week.
  • Once the flan has chilled, run a wet knife around the rim to loosen it from the ramekin. Invert the ramekin onto a plate and let the flan slide out onto the plate, caramel side up. Repeat with remaining flans. Serve cold.

Notes

Classic Creamy Flan

Dulce de Leche Chocolate Pecan Pie

Thanksgiving has become my favorite American holiday.

Though when I first arrived to the US, more than 20 years ago to Texas, I had never heard of the celebration. I was a bit perplexed as to why people where roasting turkeys so early in the year (in Mexico turkey is a Christmas tradition). Now, I totally get it.

I love how everything seems to stop and be put on hold. I love how attention shifts almost entirely to food and the kitchen takes center stage. I love the intense emotions that surround the holiday. I love the time of year. And, since Alan left for college, I love that our family will all be together for a few days, mostly eating.

I especially love how Thanksgiving opens the door to celebrate the contributions that immigrants have historically brought to the American table. Now, more than ever, this is deeply meaningful to me.

I love how Thanksgiving embraces and holds onto to classic recipes and traditions that have been passed down through generations. But I also love how it welcomes new and surprising additions that complement the rest.

In that spirit, I created a Dulce de Leche Caramel Cinnamon Chocolate Pecan Pie.

I had never tasted pecan pie before moving to the US. And then about a decade ago, my dear friend Debra introduced us to her dark chocolate version of pecan pie… which we devoured so fast that she started bringing, not one, but two each year. Last year, I told her I was tempted to make it a bit more outrageous and decadent by incorporating Dulce de Leche Caramel to that super gooey filling.

Dulce de leche caramel, or Mexican cajeta, is an iconic ingredient in Mexican kitchens. We Mexicans are crazy about it. Made from goats’ milk, rather than cows’ milk, as in some other countries, it is also made in a traditional way – cooked down slowly as layers of flavor build into each other in a single product. It’s so good you can eat it with a spoon, or top your bananas or apples with it.

Pati measuring the Coronado Dulce de Leche Caramel

In this recipe, dulce de leche caramel makes for a more gooey, more sticky, more chewy filling with a rich, deep and intrinsic rustic caramel taste. The pecans have a better cushion to sit on and be coated in. The chocolate chunks can shine even more.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b38KOrEUnY[/embedyt]

Below is the recipe, and above is a video clip from an upcoming episode of the new season, where I make it. And we all eat it. We are going to be making it again for our Thanksgiving table, and my hopes are that you will give it a try too…

Dulce de Leche Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie
Print Recipe
4.13 from 8 votes

Dulce de Leche Chocolate Pecan Pie

In this pecan pie recipe, dulce de leche caramel or cajeta makes for a more gooey, more sticky, more chewy filling with a rich, deep and intrinsic rustic caramel taste. The pecans have a better cushion to sit on and be coated in. The chocolate chunks can shine even more.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cajeta, Caramel, Chocolate, Dulce de Leche, Pecan, Pie, Thanksgiving
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more to work the dough
  • Pinch of kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 stick (or 1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter diced
  • 1/4 cup cold water

For the filling:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup Dulce de Leche or Cajeta
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 2 cups (or 8 ounces) pecan halves coarsely chopped
  • 2 ounces (or 1/3 cup) chopped bittersweet chocolate

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  • Place the flour, salt, sugar and diced cold butter in a food processor. Process a few times, until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. Add the cold water and process again a few times. The dough should become more moist. Turn out of the food processor and gather into a ball. Lightly dust your countertop with flour, and knead the dough 3 to 4 times until it comes together. Shape into a flat ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for until firm, about an hour.

To prepare the filling:

  • In a bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until foamy. Incorporate the Dulce de Leche, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter and salt and whisk until it is well blended. Add the chopped pecans and chocolate and mix well.

To assemble the pie:

  • Set an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Lightly dust your countertop, hands and a rolling pin with flour. Roll out the dough into about an 11” to 12” round. Place it in a pie mold, pressing the bottom and sides into the mold and crimp the edge on top.
  • Pour the filling into pie crust. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake for 55 minutes, or until the pie is set and edges have lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Video

Notes

Pay de Dulce de Leche y Chocolate con Nuez

Mexican-Style Rice Pudding

Mexican-Style Rice Pudding
Print Recipe
4.84 from 12 votes

Mexican-Style Rice Pudding

Mexican-Style Rice Pudding from Pati’s Mexican Table, Season 7, Episode 3 "Ensenada’s Epic Seafood"
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cinnamon, pati's mexican table, rice pudding
Servings: 6 to 8 Servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Full rind of an orange
  • 1 cinnamon stick about 2” long
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar or more to taste
  • 1/4 cup raisins optional
  • Fresh fruit such as berries optional
  • Whipped cream optional
  • Ground cinnamon to taste to sprinkle on the end optional
  • Chocolate syrup optional

Instructions

  • Place the rice in a thick saucepan, cover with the water and place over medium heat. Once it comes to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes. Incorporate the milk, the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, rind of an orange, cinnamon stick, salt and sugar.
  • As soon as it starts simmering, reduce the heat to low. Once the rice is cooked through and soft, anywhere from 35 to 40 minutes, turn off the heat. If you wish to add raisins, do so at this point.
  • There should still be a considerable amount of liquid in the pot. Once the rice cools down, it will puff up and the liquid will be further absorbed.
  • You can serve the arroz con leche with fresh fruits such as berries, whipped cream, sprinkled ground cinnamon, or for a more over the top concoction, with chocolate syrup!

Notes

Arroz con Leche

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto
Print Recipe
4.20 from 5 votes

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto, from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 7, Episode 10 "Los Cabos by Land & Sea"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: butternut squash, pati's mexican table, Recipe, rice, risotto, Vegetarian
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash (2 to 3 pounds) peeled seeded, cut into 1/4” dice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil plus 3 tablespoons
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt divided, or to taste
  • 6 to 7 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup requesón or mascarpone cheese
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cup finely chopped leeks
  • 1 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh epazote leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  • Set a rack in upper third part of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the butternut squash on baking sheet, drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with the chipotle chile powder and 1 teaspoon of the salt and toss. Place in the oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until cooked and very soft. Scrape onto a bowl and set aside.
  • Pour the chicken broth into a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  • While your both comes to a simmer, combine the requeson or mascarpone cheese with the sauce from chipotles in adobo and the maple syrup in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
  • Before moving on, be ready with your roasted butternut squash and chicken broth that should be at a low simmer, if need be, raise heat to medium.
  • Heat ¼ cup olive oil in an extended casserole or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Once hot, add the leeks, onion and ½ teaspoon of the salt, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until softened and wilted. Pour in the water and continue to cook and stir until the water has completely evaporated, the vegetables have become even softer, and they begin to glisten with the oil.
  • Incorporate the rice and stir well to combine with the vegetables and coat in the oil. Add the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, stir, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. The rice should start to smell toasty, but it shouldn’t brown.
  • Pour in the wine, stir, and cook 2 to 3 minutes more until it completely evaporates, then immediately add a large ladleful of the simmering broth. Cook at a simmer until it is absorbed and you can see the bottom of the casserole when you stir.
  • Add the next ladle of broth, along with about a fourth of the roasted butternut squash, simmer and cook until the liquid is absorbed again. Repeat 3 more times, adding another ladle of broth and a fourth of the squash each time, until all the squash has been added.
  • Continue adding broth by the ladleful until the risotto is cooked al dente. Add a cup more broth and stir before you turn it off; it should be quite soupy, yet the broth should be thick.
  • You may have used only 6 cups of the broth or all 7 cups, depending on the heat of your stovetop and the weather where you live. What matters is the rice is still al dente and the consistency still seems a bit soupy.
  • Turn off the heat, top with the butter and the seasoned requeson or mascarpone cheese. Stir well to mix. Sprinkle on the grated cotija and the epazote and cilantro and serve.

Notes

Risotto de Calabaza al Chipotle

Dulce de Leche Chocolate Pecan Pie

Dulce de Leche Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie
Print Recipe
3.88 from 8 votes

Dulce de Leche Chocolate Pecan Pie

Dulce de Leche Chocolate Pecan Pie, from Pati’s Mexican Table Season 7, Episode 13 "Mex’d Up American Regional Favorites"
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: Cajeta, Caramel, Chocolate, cinnamon, Dessert, Dulce de Leche, Pecan, Pie, Recipe
Servings: 10 Servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more to work the dough
  • Pinch of kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 stick (or 1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter diced
  • 1/4 cup cold water

For the filling:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup Dulce de Leche or Cajeta
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 2 cups (or 8 ounces) pecan halves coarsely chopped
  • 2 ounces (or 1/3 cup) chopped bittersweet chocolate

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  • Place the flour, salt, sugar and diced cold butter in a food processor. Process a few times, until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. Add the cold water and process again a few times. The dough should become more moist. Turn out of the food processor and gather into a ball. Lightly dust your countertop with flour, and knead the dough 3 to 4 times until it comes together. Shape into a flat ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about an hour.

To prepare the filling:

  • In a bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk until foamy. Incorporate the Dulce de Leche, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter and salt and whisk until it is well blended. Add the chopped pecans and chocolate and mix well.

To assemble the pie:

  • Set an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Lightly dust your countertop, hands and a rolling pin with flour. Roll out the dough into about an 11” to 12” round. Place it in a pie mold, pressing the bottom and sides into the mold and crimp the edge on top.
  • Pour the filling into the pie crust. Cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Bake for 55 minutes, or until the pie is set and edges have lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Notes

Pay de Dulce de Leche y Chocolate con Nuez  

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

Just when you think you completely understand something, life proves you wrong. Does that happen to you? It happens to me all the time, especially when it comes to food.

A cuisine as rich and diverse as Mexico’s needs for us to make an effort to preserve what has been passed on. But, you also have to keep an open mind to new ideas that may in turn become classics.

In that sense, I find the kitchen to be one of the most humbling places because food is always growing and evolving and taking you along, if you let it. You get to constantly learn, apply what you learn, share it, and then start all over again.

Take tamales for example. I have made countless kinds from all regions of Mexico and from different historical times. I have wrapped them in dried and fresh corn husks, banana leaves, hoja santa leaves…practically any and every edible leaf I know of in Mexico. I have learned to make them with raw masa, with masa colada, with rice flour masa, with normal wheat flour masa and even with no masa! I have done savory and sweet, with fillings that range from picadillo to marzipan and beyond. You name it, I have probably tried it.

I thought I had the tamales from the city of Oaxaca nailed down. Then, a few months ago, as we were filming Season 6 of Pati’s Mexican Table there, I was amazed to try a new tamal at Criollo, Chef Luis Arellano’s new restaurant. Its masa was made with pumpkin and filled with sweet refried beans laced with piloncillo. The only way to describe it is brilliant!

Back in my kitchen, I was inspired by the possibility of not only flavoring the masa, but enriching it with a starchy vegetable to lend taste, consistency and color. I came up with this sweet potato tamal filled with savory refried beans.

When the time came to test and play around with it, I was reminded of how important it is to appreciate the lessons that have stood the test of time. In the case of tamales: to review our technique for steaming, for assembling, for achieving a good masa. So we can still call our new creation something worthy of the name TAMAL.

Given the addition of the starchy sweet potatoes, I ended up having to test the idea quite a few times to achieve a very fluffy, yet tasty masa.

In the end, I am very happy with this one! The masa is puffy and moist, and its barely sweet flavor contrasts nicely with the savory, earthy taste of the refried beans. I also took the liberty of drizzling them with crema and topping with salty queso fresco.

Pati Jinich sweet potato black bean tamales
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

I thought I had the tamales from the city of Oaxaca nailed down. Then, a few months ago, as we were filming Season 6 of Pati’s Mexican Table there, I was amazed to try a new tamal at Criollo, Chef Luis Arellano’s new restaurant. Its masa was made with pumpkin and filled with sweet refried beans laced with piloncillo. The only way to describe it is brilliant! Back in my kitchen, I was inspired by the possibility of not only flavoring the masa, but enriching it with a starchy vegetable to lend taste, consistency and color. I came up with this sweet potato tamal filled with savory refried beans.
Prep Time1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time2 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: black beans, pati's mexican table, queso fresco, sweet potato, Tamales
Servings: 12 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 2/3 cups corn masa flour or masa harina (such as Maseca)
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 24 dried corn husks
  • 2 cups refried beans
  • 1 cup Mexican crema
  • 1 cup queso fresco crumbled

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Wrap the sweet potatoes in aluminum foil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until completely cooked and soft. Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle, cut open and scoop out the cooked pulp into a bowl. Set aside to cool.

To make the tamal masa:

  • Place the lard or vegetable shortening and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a mixer, and beat over medium speed until very light, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, add baking powder and sugar, and take turns adding the corn masa flour and the broth. Raise speed back to medium and continue beating another 6 to 7 minutes, until the dough is homogeneous. In batches, add the cooled sweet potato pulp and continue beating for another 5 to 6 minutes, until the masa looks fluffed up.

To assemble the tamales:

  • Soak the dried corn husks in hot water for a couple minutes, or until they are pliable, and drain. Lay out a corn husk with the tapering end towards you. Spread about 1/3 cup masa into about a 2” to 3” square, the layer should be about 1/4” thick, leaving a border of at least 1/2” on the sides. Place about 2 teaspoons of refried beans in the middle of the masa square.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together (you will see how the masa starts to swaddle the filling) and fold them to one side, rolling them in same direction around tamal. Fold up the empty section of the husk with the tapering end, from the bottom up. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open. Gently squeeze from the bottom to the top to even the filling out without pressing to hard. As you assemble all the tamales, place them as upright as you can in a container.

To prepare the tamalera or steamer:

  • Place water in the bottom pan of a steamer, so that water is under the steamer basket or rack, and bring it to a simmer. Line the steamer with one or two layers of soaked corn husks.

To cook the tamales:

  • When you have all tamales ready, place them as vertically as you can, into the prepared steamer with the open end on top. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in some corn husks, so the tamales won’t dance around. Cover with more corn husks, and steam covered with a lid for 55 minutes to an hour. You know the tamales are ready when they come easily free from the husks. They will still be moist, and as they are released from the husks – you will see the moisture, like when you remove good moist muffins from their paper baking cups.
  • Finished tamales will stay warm for about 2 hours in the steamer. They can be made ahead several days before and stored in refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in a steamer. For refrigerated tamales, it will take about 20 minutes and about 45 minutes for frozen tamales.
  • You can serve with a spoonful of Mexican crema and crumbled queso fresco on top.

Notes

Tamales de Camote con Frijol

Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

pati jinich chocolate chunk banana bread
Print Recipe
4.63 from 8 votes

Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 6, Episode 11 "Juju’s Chocolate-Covered Life" 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: banana bread, Chocolate, pati's mexican table
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature plus more to butter pan
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 large ripe bananas peeled and mashed
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more to butter pan
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1/4 cup boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chunks or chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and set a rack in the middle. Butter and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, shaking off any excess flour.
  • In a stand mixer, set with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until completely creamy and smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the egg and give it a minute to mix in. Add the bananas, cream cheese and vanilla, continue mixing for a minute.
  • Reduce the speed to low, add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and continue beating for another 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides if need be.
  • In a small bowl, combine the boiling water with the cocoa powder and stir until well mixed. Add to the mixer and beat for another couple minutes. Lastly, add the chocolate chunks and beat for another minute until fully incorporated.
  • Scrape into the prepared loaf pan, shake a few times to level the batter. Place into the oven and bake anywhere from 55 minutes to an hour, until a toothpick comes out moist but not wet, the top of bread has browned and is springy to the touch.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool. Run a butter knife along sides of the pan, turn out onto plate, and then flip onto serving platter, so it is right side up.

Notes

Panqué de Plátano y Doble Chocolate

Almendrado with Chicken

Print Recipe
4.38 from 8 votes

Almendrado with Chicken

Almendrado with Chicken recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 6, Episode 7 "The Art of Mole"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: almonds, canela, capers, chicken, cinnamon, olives, pati's mexican table, Pickled Jalapeños, raisins
Servings: 4 to 5 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large white onion cut into pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic unpeeled
  • 2 pounds (about 7 or 8) roma tomatoes
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 12 black peppercorns
  • 1 1-inch stick ceylon cinnamon or canela
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 3-pound chicken cut into serving pieces (wings removed for later use and breasts cut in half)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 2 cups chicken broth divided
  • 1 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup black raisins
  • 1/2 cup manzanilla olives stuffed with pimiento sliced
  • 1/4 cup capers chopped
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeño rajas or slices

Instructions

  • Place onion, garlic and tomatoes under the broiler, or on an already heated skillet, griddle or comal set over medium heat. Roast or char for about 10 minutes, flipping in between, until ingredients are completely charred, cooked and mushy. Set aside and peel the garlic cloves when cool enough to handle.
  • In a small skillet set over medium heat, toast the cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon stick for a couple minutes, moving and flipping them around to toast evenly. Set aside. Toast the oregano for 10 to 15 seconds and remove from the heat.
  • In the jar of a blender, place the charred onion, peeled garlic and charred tomatoes, along with the tops from the whole cloves (discard the stems), the peppercorns, cinnamon and oregano. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Heat the oil in a large casserole set over medium-high heat until very hot, but not smoking. Season the chicken with the salt and brown the chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You may need to do this in batches in order to not to crowd the casserole. Once you have removed all the chicken, immediately pour the tomato sauce into the hot oil and cover, as it will splatter. Reduce heat to medium.
  • Add a cup of chicken broth to the blender and puree for a few seconds to get all the remaining thick sauce out of the blender, pour into the simmering sauce and cover again. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Incorporate the remaining cup of chicken broth, almonds, raisins, olives and capers. Add the browned chicken pieces, cover and reduce heat to low and cook for 20 more minutes.
  • Remove the lid and add the pickled jalapeño slices. Increase heat to medium and cook for another 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend and the sauce to thicken. Serve with rice.

Notes

Almendrado con Pollo

Coloradito Chicken

pati jinich coloradito chicken
Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes

Coloradito Chicken

Coloradito Chicken recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 6, Episode 6 “Women of Oaxaca”
Prep Time50 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: almonds, ancho chiles, canela, chayote, chicken, Chocolate, guajillo chiles, mexican chocolate, Mole, pati's mexican table, piloncillo, Plantains, raisins, sesame seeds
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe plantain
  • 6 ancho chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 5 guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 pound (or 3 to 4) ripe Roma tomatoes
  • 5 cloves garlic unpeeled
  • 1 1/2-inch thick slice of white onion
  • 1 1-inch-long stick ceylon cinnamon or canela (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ceylon cinnamon)
  • 3 whole cloves
  • 6 black peppercorns
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons raisins
  • 1 tablespoon grated piloncillo or dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt divided
  • 1 3-pound chicken cut into 8 serving pieces (wings removed for later use and breasts cut in half)
  • Vegetable oil for cooking the chicken
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 3-ounce bar of Mexican chocolate broken into pieces
  • 1 pound chayote squash peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 1 pound green beans trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Tortillas or rice to serve

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the plantain in a baking dish lined with aluminum foil and make a couple of 1/2-inch slits on its skin. Bake until completely cooked through, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, when cool enough to handle, peel and slice. Set aside.
  • Heat a comal, griddle or skillet over medium heat. Once hot, toast the ancho and guajillo chiles for about 30 to 45 seconds per side, until fragrant and lightly toasted. Place chiles in a saucepan along with the whole tomatoes, cover with water and set over medium-high heat. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the chiles are rehydrated and plumped up, and the tomatoes are cooked and mushy.
  • On the same comal, griddle or skillet, char the unpeeled garlic cloves and the onion slice, until completely charred and softened, about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping a couple of times in between. Set aside to cool. Peel the garlic when cool enough to handle.
  • On a small skillet set over medium heat, toast the cinnamon stick for a minute or two until fragrant, flipping once. Next, toast the cloves and peppercorns for a minute, moving them around the entire time. Toast the almonds for a couple of minutes, until lightly browned, as well as sesame seeds. Lastly, toast the oregano for 5 to 10 seconds.
  • As each ingredient is finished being toasted, place it in the jar of the blender: the cinnamon, garlic, onion, cloves, peppercorns, almonds, sesame seeds, and oregano. Add the rehydrated chiles, cooked tomatoes and 1 cup of their cooking broth, and the plantain to the blender, as well. Incorporate the raisins, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt, and puree at least for a couple minutes until completely smooth. If your blender is on the smaller side, puree it in batches.
  • Set a large casserole over medium-high heat and heat enough oil to have about 1/8-inch of depth. Season the chicken with the remaining teaspoon of salt. Once the oil is hot, brown the chicken pieces in batches, making sure to not crowd the casserole. Cook until they have created a crust on the skin and are easy to flip, about 3 minutes per side. Place the finished pieces in a large bowl.
  • Once you are done browning the chicken, reduce the heat to medium-low. Carefully, and using the casserole’s lid as a shield (there will be splatters), pour the mole sauce into the oil. Stir and cover with the lid, leaving it slightly open, and cook for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally (still protecting yourself with the lid), until the sauce is very thick and seasoned. Add the chicken broth, chocolate pieces, and the browned chicken pieces, and cook for another 20 minutes. Add the chayote squash and green beans, give it a good stir, and cook until vegetables are cooked yet tender, another 10 minutes.
  • Serve with tortillas and/or rice.

Notes

Mole Coloradito con Pollo

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

Pati Jinich sweet potato and black bean tamales
Print Recipe
4 from 8 votes

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 6, Episode 2 "History of Oaxaca Cuisine"
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: masa, mexican crema, pati's mexican table, sweet potato, Tamales
Servings: 12 to 16 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes
  • 1 cup lard or vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 2/3 cups corn masa flour or masa harina (such as Maseca)
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 24 dried corn husks
  • 2 cups refried beans
  • 1 cup Mexican crema
  • 1 cup queso fresco crumbled

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Wrap the sweet potatoes in aluminum foil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until completely cooked and soft. Remove from the oven. When cool enough to handle, cut open and scoop out the cooked pulp into a bowl. Set aside to cool.

To make the tamal masa:

  • Place the lard or vegetable shortening and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a mixer, and beat over medium speed until very light, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, add baking powder and sugar, and take turns adding the corn masa flour and the broth. Raise speed back to medium and continue beating another 6 to 7 minutes, until the dough is homogeneous. In batches, add the cooled sweet potato pulp and continue beating for another 5 to 6 minutes, until the masa looks fluffed up.

To assemble the tamales:

  • Soak the dried corn husks in hot water for a couple minutes, or until they are pliable, and drain. Lay out a corn husk with the tapering end towards you. Spread about 1/3 cup masa into about a 2” to 3” square, the layer should be about 1/4” thick, leaving a border of at least 1/2” on the sides. Place about 2 teaspoons of refried beans in the middle of the masa square.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together (you will see how the masa starts to swaddle the filling) and fold them to one side, rolling them in same direction around tamal. Fold up the empty section of the husk with the tapering end, from the bottom up. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open. Gently squeeze from the bottom to the top to even the filling out without pressing to hard. As you assemble all the tamales, place them as upright as you can in a container.

To prepare the tamalera or steamer:

  • Place water in the bottom pan of a steamer, so that water is under the steamer basket or rack, and bring it to a simmer. Line the steamer with one or two layers of soaked corn husks.

To cook the tamales:

  • When you have all tamales ready, place them as vertically as you can, into the prepared steamer with the open end on top. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in some corn husks, so the tamales won’t dance around. Cover with more corn husks, and steam covered with a lid for 55 minutes to an hour. You know the tamales are ready when they come easily free from the husks. They will still be moist, and as they are released from the husks – you will see the moisture, like when you remove good moist muffins from their paper baking cups.
  • Finished tamales will stay warm for about 2 hours in the steamer. They can be made ahead several days before and stored in refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in a steamer. For refrigerated tamales, it will take about 20 minutes and about 45 minutes for frozen tamales.
  • You can serve with a spoonful of Mexican crema and crumbled queso fresco on top.

Notes

Tamales de Camote con Frijol

Mashed Potato Cazuela

Print Recipe
4 from 6 votes

Mashed Potato Cazuela

Mashed Potato Cazuela recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 6, Episode 6 "Women of Oaxaca"
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carrots, Cazuela, mashed potatoes, mexican crema, olives, pati's mexican table, peas, Pickled Jalapeños
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Idaho or Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced
  • 1/2 pound carrots peeled and cut into small dice
  • 1 cup fresh peas or thawed from frozen
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2/3 cup Mexican crema
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • To taste freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped manzanilla olives stuffed with pimientos or more to taste
  • 1/3 cup chopped pickled jalapeños or more to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop in the diced potatoes and cook until a fork or pairing knife slides in easily, but the potatoes are still holding their shape, about 12 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider and place in a large bowl.
  • Drop in the diced carrots and cook for just one minute, remove and set aside in a smaller bowl. Finally drop in the peas and cook for one minute, then remove and place in the bowl with carrots.
  • Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Once it sizzles, add the onion and cook until wilted, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Add the cooked onions, mustard, cream, egg, salt and pepper to the bowl with the potatoes, and gently mix and mash until well incorporated. Add the peas, carrots, olives and pickled jalapeños and mix well. Scrape into a 9” x 11” baking dish or into small individual ramekins.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the top has slightly browned. Serve or keep warm.

Notes

Cazuela de Pure de Papa Istmeño 

Pan de Arena

I am fascinated with a few things to the point that I obsess about them. Well, it may be more than a few things. One of them is words.

I become amazed with the beauty a word may have. With the way it sounds. With the way that pronouncing that word may change the way I breathe or make me pout my mouth. With how much power a word can hold. With the diverse meanings it can contain, depending on who you say it to, how you say it, or by which words it is accompanied by.

I absolutely adore words. I once started a “favorite words list” and just couldn’t keep up with how many I was adding. There were the words I had forgotten and had suddenly rediscovered. There were the words I had never ever heard of. I have a tendency to stop someone in the middle of a sentence to ask them about that word they just used. Where is it from, what exactly does it mean, how else can one use it? Always on the hunt for new words, when I find a great one, I fall in love with it. And once I do, I never fall out of love with it.

This may all have to do with my being a Spanish speaker until I moved to the US. Once here, I started noticing the beauty of words I was getting nostalgic about because I couldn’t find a good substitute in English. And once I started getting a bit more fluent in English, I would find the use of a certain English word so extraordinary that I couldn’t find the right substitute in Spanish. So I sort of blame it all on my move to the US because I certainly wasn’t obsessed with words when I lived in Mexico.

Anyway. This recipe has two words I adore in Spanish: pan and arena. Pan translates to bread and arena to sand. The funny thing is sometimes words and names play tricks on reality. This pan de arena is no bread and has no sandy texture.

More like a pound cake, pan de arena’s texture is really perfect. When you slice it, it feels like it came from a professional bakery. With just the right amount of moist and just the right amount of crumbly. It may be that because the texture is so evenly moist and crumbly throughout, it got named after sand. Its taste is also so well balanced. Just enough sweetness and a buttery taste that gets nuanced, but not over powered, by lime zest and lime juice. Yet it doesn’t taste citrusy at all.

This pan de arena comes from the state of Chiapas in Mexico. You can find it there from morning ‘til night. Sometimes it comes in individual sizes – that may be why it is also called bizcocho chiapaneco, as bizcocho refers to a sweet roll – but it is mostly cut from a bigger loaf into square or rectangular pieces.

Just like your favorite pound cake, it can be eaten on its own or topped with ice cream, fruit compote, fresh fruit coulis, or whipped cream. It is also ideal sliced and tucked away in your kid’s lunch box.

I am just as enamored with this poundcake’s charming taste and texture as I am with the beauty of its name. And for the life of me, I cannot find out why or who named it pan de arena.

Pati Jinich pan de arena or sand pound cake
Print Recipe
4.50 from 6 votes

Sand Pound Cake

More like a pound cake, pan de arena’s texture is really perfect. When you slice it, it feels like it came from a professional bakery. With just the right amount of moist and just the right amount of crumbly. It may be that because the texture is so evenly moist and crumbly throughout, it got named after sand. Its taste is also so well balanced. Just enough sweetness and a buttery taste that gets nuanced, but not over powered, by lime zest and lime juice. Yet it doesn’t taste citrusy at all.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cake, lime, pati's mexican table, pound cake
Servings: 16 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting pan
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 1/2 cups unsalted butter at room temperature, plus more for greasing pan
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 large eggs
  • Grated zest of a large lime
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/4 cup whole milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan and lightly coat with flour. Shake excess flour off.
  • In a medium bowl, combine your dry ingredients: the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • Beat the butter in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment over medium speed until very creamy and soft, at least 2 or 3 minutes. Incorporate the sugar, continue beating until well mixed. Add the eggs, one at a time, and continue beating until they are all incorporated.
  • Reduce speed to low, and add a cup of your dry ingredients, then add the lime zest and juice. Continue adding the rest of the flour, and finally add the milk. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula if need be, and continue beating the mix until it is spongy, fluffy and very well mixed.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the oven for 50 minutes, or until the pound cake is puffed up, golden brown on top, and a toothpick comes out clean and moist, but not wet.
  • Remove from the oven. Let cool and serve. It keeps very well covered for up to a week.

Notes

Pan de Arena

Tamales Coloraditos

Tamales are practically required on so many December holidays. Take Posadas. And Christmas. Not to mention New Year’s. Wait, of course, that spills over to January with Día de Reyes. Then it continues in February for Día de la Candelaria

There’s also any morning after a big Mexican wedding… and all Mexican weddings are big! I could go on with every month of the year, but tamales are especially craved in December.

Of course, tamales are also everyday food for Mexicans. All sorts of tamales are found daily in lots of places, from markets, to food stands, to restaurants. Why then, if they can be eaten everyday, is there that crucial need for having tamales in December?

Well, I do not know. But what I can say is that I can eat tamales every day of the year and then feel the desperate need to have them for Christmas. To the point that it can be a pretty sad Christmas if tamales aren’t there.

Since the tamal love is spreading beyond Mexico, let me give you the recipe for a tamal I am pretty sure you haven’t tried. Unless you are Norteño, from the Mexican north.

The tamal coloradito, which translates to “infused with color,” takes its name from the filling of meat cooked in a mole sauce by the same name, coloradito. It has an intense color and a deep, rich, complex taste. It is made with ancho and guajillo chiles, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cinnamon, cumin and cloves. Then it coats the meat and simmers with olives, almonds and raisins, resulting in a teasingly sweet/spicy, savory and crunchy mix. The full-blown exotic flavors of the filling contrast beautifully with the mild, fluffy tamal dough.

It seems to me that this tamal is particularly festive because, aside from tamales screaming out for celebration on their own, even with no filling, this one is filled with quite a stunner of a mole sauce. And moles are cause for celebration, too! Pair the two into one bite, and you have a happy crowd.

tamales coloraditos
Print Recipe
4.60 from 5 votes

Tamales Coloraditos

The tamal coloradito, which translates to "infused with color," takes its name from the filling of meat cooked in a mole sauce by the same name, coloradito. It has an intense color and a deep, rich, complex taste. It is made with ancho and guajillo chiles, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cinnamon, cumin and cloves. Then it coats the meat and simmers with olives, almonds and raisins, resulting in a teasingly sweet/spicy, savory and crunchy mix. The full-blown exotic flavors of the filling contrast beautifully with the mild, fluffy tamal dough.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Ancho, Coloraditos, Guajillo, Mole, pork, Tamales, Tomato, Tomatoes
Servings: 25 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the tamal dough or masa:

  • 1 cup lard vegetable shortening, or seasoned oil*
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • 3 1/2 cups homemade chicken broth or store bought, divided, more as needed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 pound (about 3 1/4 cups) instant corn masa flour preferably for tamales

For the filling:

  • 3 guajillo chiles stemmed, halved and seeded
  • 3 ancho chiles stemmed, halved and seeded
  • 1 ripe Roma tomato
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano preferably Mexican
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ceylon cinnamon or canela
  • Pinch cumin
  • 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup white onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 pound pork tenderloin diced **
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups homemade chicken broth or store bought
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/3 cup manzanilla olives stuffed with pimientos chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 25 dried corn husks

Instructions

To make the tamal dough or masa:

  • Place the lard or vegetable shortening in a mixer and beat until very light, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and a tablespoon of the broth and continue to beat until it is white and fluffy, about 2 more minutes. Add the baking powder and beat in, then take turns adding the instant corn masa and the broth in 3 or 4 additions. Continue beating for about 10 minutes at medium speed, until the dough is homogeneous and very fluffy and aerated.
  • To test to see if the tamal masa is ready, drop 1/2 teaspoon into a cup of cold water. It should float. If it does not, beat for an additional 4 or 5 minutes and do the test again.

To make the filling:

  • Heat a comal or skillet over medium heat and toast the guajillo and ancho chiles for about 1 minute, flipping them over a few times, until they become more pliable, lightly toasted, fragrant and their inner skin turns opaque. Transfer to a medium saucepan. Add the tomato, cover with water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tomato is very soft and the chiles are fully hydrated, plumped up and soft.
  • Place the chiles, tomato and 1/2 cup of the chile simmering water in a blender jar. Add the oregano, whole cloves, cinnamon, cumin and vinegar, and puree until smooth.
  • Heat the oil over medium high heat in a large, deep skillet. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and the edges begin to brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the meat, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium, pour the chile puree over the meat, and stir in the broth. Add the raisins, almonds, olives and brown sugar, stir together, reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture should cook down and have the consistency of chile con carne.

To assemble the tamales:

  • Soak the dried corn husks in hot water for a couple minutes, or until they are pliable, and drain. Lay out a corn husk with the tapering end towards you. Spread about 3 tablespoons of masa into about a 2 to 3-inch square, the layer should be about 1/4-inch thick, leaving a border of at least 1/2-inch on the sides. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the middle of the masa square.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together (you will see how the masa starts to swaddle the filling) and fold the folded sides to one side, rolling them in the same direction around tamal. Fold up the empty section of the husk, with the tapering end, from the bottom up. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open.
  • Assemble all the tamales and place them as vertically as you can in a container.

To prepare the tamalera or steamer:

  • Place water in the bottom pan of a steamer (so that water is under the steamer) and bring it to a simmer. Line the steamer with one or two layers of soaked corn husks.

To cook the tamales:

  • When you have all tamales ready, place them, again as vertically as you can, into the prepared steamer with the open end on top. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in some corn husks, so the tamales won’t dance around. Cover with more corn husks, and steam covered with a lid for 50 minutes to an hour. You know the tamales are ready when they come easily free from the husks. They will still be moist, and as they are released from the husks, you will see the moisture, like when you remove good moist muffins from their paper baking cups.
  • Finished tamales will stay warm for about 2 hours in the steamer. They can be made ahead several days before and stored in the refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in a steamer. For refrigerated tamales, it will take about 20 minutes and about 45 minutes for frozen tamales.
  • * Note: To make seasoned oil, in a medium saucepan, heat 1 cup vegetable oil over medium heat, add a thick slice of onion and 4 garlic cloves. Cook for 15 minutes until completely browned. Remove onion and garlic before using the oil.
  • ** Note: You can substitute the pork for any other meat of your choice, you can also combine different kinds of meat, like ground beef and diced pork, like my mother does.

Bacalao Navideño

Bacalao Navideno
Print Recipe
3.58 from 7 votes

Christmas Salted Cod

Christmas Salted Cod recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 13 “José Andrés Takes Over"
Prep Time2 days
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time2 days 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: almonds, Bacalao, chiles güeros, Christmas dishes, olives, pati's mexican table, potatoes, salted cod fish
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried salted cod
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 white onion peeled, halved, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped or pressed
  • 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes chopped, or a 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 red bell peppers roasted, sweated, peeled and diced
  • 1 pound baby potatoes peeled, halved if larger than 1-inch
  • 2 teaspoons white distilled vinegar
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley chopped
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup manzanilla olives stuffed with pimientos thinly sliced
  • 8 to 10 pickled pepperoncini peppers or chiles güeros plus more for serving
  • French baguette to slice and toast

Instructions

  • 48 hours before you wish to make the dish, begin preparing your salt cod for cooking. Place in a bowl, cover with water and place in the refrigerator. The next day drain, rinse and cover with water again. Place it back in the refrigerator for 10 to 12 hours. Drain, rinse and cover with water again. Refrigerate for another 10 to 12 hours, drain and rinse. Shred the fish and it is ready to use.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large casserole over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and beginning to brown around the edges. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Stir in the tomatoes and roasted red bell peppers, cover partially and cook, stirring from time to time, for 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened and darkened in color. It should look somewhat chunky.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate, medium saucepan, boil the potatoes in salted water for about 10 minutes, until just tender; when you insert the tip of a knife it should go all the way in, but the potatoes should not fall apart. Drain and set aside.
  • Stir the shredded cod into the tomato mixture. Add the vinegar, parsley, almonds and olives, stir together and continue to cook, partially covered for another 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the ingredients are well amalgamated and the sauce has thickened even more.
  • Reduce heat to low, stir in the cooked potatoes and the pickled pepperoncini peppers, cover the casserole and simmer for 5 more minutes. The mixture should be very moist and juicy, but not soupy. No need to add salt. Serve with additional pickled pepperoncini, and if you’d like, white rice on the side.

Notes

Bacalao Navideño

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice

everything but the kitchen sink seafood rice stew
Print Recipe
4.86 from 7 votes

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Rice recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 3 “Celestún: Coastal Cooking”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: clams, epazote, garlic, grouper, jalapeno, mussels, pati's mexican table, red snapper, rice, rock fish, seafood, seafood broth, serrano chiles, Shrimp, squid, Tomatoes
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 whole (about 3 pounds) white-fleshed, mild-flavored fish, such as red snapper, grouper, or rock fish, boned and filleted OR 1 pound fish fillets
  • 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes
  • 2 jalapeño or serrano chiles or to taste
  • 8 garlic cloves, 5 finely chopped, 3 peeled and left whole
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped white onion
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt or to taste, divided
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound cleaned squid rinsed and sliced into 1/4" rings
  • 1 pound medium shrimp peeled, shells and tails reserved if making broth
  • 2 cups white rice or jasmine white rice
  • 5 cups seafood or fish broth homemade or store bought
  • 1 large fresh epazote sprig or 3 cilantro sprigs
  • 12 small to medium fresh clams scrubbed and rinsed
  • 12 small to medium fresh mussels scrubbed and rinsed

Instructions

  • NOTE: If you plan on making the seafood or fish broth, get the whole fish and ask your fish monger to clean it for you and to give you the head, bones and tail to use for the broth. Also, save the shrimp shells and tails to use in the broth, as well.
  • Cut the fish fillets so that you have 6 more or less equally sized pieces. Season with ¼ teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • Place the tomatoes, jalapeños, and the 3 whole garlic cloves in a medium saucepan, cover with water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer until the tomatoes are fully cooked and very soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer the tomatoes, garlic cloves, and only 1 of the jalapeños (puree one chile at a time, taste for heat, and add the other if desired) to a blender, and add the onion and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Puree until completely smooth.
  • Rinse and dry the saucepan and heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in it over medium heat. Once hot, add the tomato puree and cover the pan partially with a lid, as the puree will sputter and jump. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, dark and fragrant, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In a large, wide casserole, heat 1/4 cup of the olive oil over high heat. Once hot, toss in the squid, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, add half of the finely chopped garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove the squid and the garlic with a slotted spoon and place in a heatproof bowl.
  • Add the shrimp to the casserole, along with another 1/2 teaspoon of salt and half of the remaining chopped garlic, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring and flipping the shrimp over halfway through. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the bowl with the squid.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add 1/4 cup of the remaining olive oil to the casserole. Once hot, add the rice and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the casserole, until the rice is crackling and coated with oil, feels heavier in the pan as you stir it, and the color of the grains has changed from a pale white to a deep milky white.
  • Pour the cooked-down tomato puree over the rice; it will sizzle and smoke a bit, which is what you want. Cover partially with a lid and cook, stirring a couple of times, until the rice absorbs most of the sauce, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the seafood broth and stir the rice, scraping the bottom of the casserole. Add the epazote or cilantro sprigs and reduce the heat to medium-low. Gently arrange the reserved shrimp and squid on top of the rice, adding any of their juices from the bowl, as well as the clams, mussels and seasoned fish fillets.
  • Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and can be easily pulled apart with a fork, and the clams and mussels have opened up. Turn off the heat and serve immediately in soup plates. The rice should be tender and the mixture very soupy.

Notes

Arroz con Mariscos

Pan de Cazon

Pan De Cason
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

Pan de Cazon

Pan de Cazon recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 5, Episode 1 “Chachi’s Champotón Kitchen”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: bitter orange juice, black beans, cazon, Cod, corn tortillas, dogfish, epazote, habanero, mahi mahi, pati's mexican table, swordfish, Yucatán Peninsula
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds cazon or dogfish fillets cut into 2-inch pieces (may substitute cod, swordfish or mahi mahi)
  • 3 sprigs fresh epazote
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
  • 6 tablespoons lard divided, may substitute vegetable oil
  • 2 whole white onions 1 chopped and 1 havled and sliced thin
  • 1 cup fresh epazote leaves roughly chopped, plus another 1/4 cup for tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons bitter orange juice or its substitute
  • 8 large tomatoes chopped
  • 16 corn tortillas warmed
  • 2 cups black bean puree warmed
  • 4 habanero chiles roasted or charred
  • 1 ripe avocado pitted and sliced

Instructions

  • To prepare the cazon filling, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the fish, epazote sprigs and salt. Simmer on low until the fish is cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain the fish and set aside to cool slightly, then remove the skin and shred. Set aside.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons of the lard in a large sauté pan and cook the chopped onion and chopped epazote leaves until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the shredded fish and the remaining 3 tablespoons of lard, and cover and cook until warmed through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the bitter orange juice.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. In a blender, puree 2 cups of the chopped tomatoes. Transfer the puree to a medium pot set over medium-high heat and add the remaining chopped tomatoes, 3 tablespoons of lard, thinly sliced onion, 1/4 cup chopped epazote leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the onions and tomatoes are soft, about 15-20 minutes.
  • To assemble, dip a tortilla into the black bean puree and coat lightly on both sides. Place in the center of a plate. Top with about 2 tablespoons of the cazon filling, then repeat the process of dipping a tortilla and topping with the cazon filling two more times for a total of 3 layers. ingredients.
  • Coat a fourth tortilla on one side only lightly with bean puree, and place bean-side down on the top of the stack. Ladle about 1 1/2 cups of the tomato sauce over the top. Top with a charred habanero, and garnish with avocado slices on the side. Repeat the process 3 more times for 4 servings.
  • NOTE: The most authentic version of this recipe uses roasted cazón or dog fish. However, substitutes work wonderful, as well.

Notes

Recipe Courtesy: Chachi

Blackberry and Pecan Tamales

Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Blackberry and Pecan Tamales

Blackberry and Pecan Tamales recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 13 “Wrapped Treats”
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Dessert, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: blackberry, cinnamon, corn husks, masa, pati's mexican table, pecans, Tamales
Servings: 20 tamales
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 25 dried corn husks
  • 1 cup vegetable shortening or good quality lard
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 lb instant corn masa mix for tamales or about 3 1/4 cups, such as Maseca
  • 3 cups warm water
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup pecans roughly chopped
  • 12 oz blackberries rinsed

Instructions

To make masa for tamales:

  • Place the vegetable shortening or lard with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a mixer and beat, until very light and spongy, about 1 minute. Add the baking powder and salt, and then take turns adding the instant corn masa mix and the water. Continue beating until the dough is homogeneous and fluffy.
  • Mix in the sugar and cinnamon and continue beating until everything is well mixed. You may also do it by hand.
  • You know the tamal masa is ready if: 1. When you lift a big spoon with masa, drop it into the dough it falls “de golpe” or heavy. 2. It has the consistency of a medium thick cake batter. 3. If you place 1/2 teaspoon of masa in a cup of cold water and it floats.

To prepare the steamer:

  • Place water in the pan of a steamer and bring it to a simmer. Line the steamer with one or two layers of corn husks. Use the dough to form about 20 corn husk wrapped tamales.

To make tamales:

  • Soak the dried corn husks in hot water for a couple of minutes, until they are pliable and drain. Lay out a corn husk with the tapered ends facing towards you. Spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of the masa into a 2 to 3 inch square, the layer should be about 1/4 inch, leaving a boarder of at least 1/2 inch on the sides. Place 1 to 2 blackberries in the middle of the masa filling and sprinkle about a teaspoon of the pecans on top.
  • Pick up the two long sides of the corn husk and bring them together, causing the masa to surround the berries and pecans and fold them to one side, rolling them in the same direction around the tamal. Fold up the empty section of the husk with the tapering end, from the bottom up. This will form a closed bottom and the top will be left open.
  • Prepare the tamales and then place them vertically in a container. When you have them all ready, place them as vertically as you can in the prepared steamer, with the open end on top. If there is space left in the steamer, tuck in more corn husks so the tamales will not dance around. Cover with more corn husks and steam, covered for 50 minutes to an hour over medium heat. You know the tamales are ready when the tamales come easily free from the husks.
  • Finished tamales will stay warm for about 1 to 2 hours in the steamer. They can be made ahead several days before and stored in the refrigerator, well wrapped. They can also be frozen for months. In either case, reheat in the steamer. For refrigerated tamales it will take about 15 minutes, and for frozen tamales about 45 minutes.

Notes

Tamales de Zarzamora y Nuez

Baked Plantains

Print Recipe
4.34 from 6 votes

Baked Plantains

Baked Plantains recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 13 “Wrapped Treats”
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time47 minutes
Course: Dessert, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Dessert, fruit, pati's mexican table, Plantains
Servings: 2 to 4 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe plantains
  • Salt or sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the grill to medium heat or the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Cut a few small slits into the sides of the unpeeled, ripe plantains with a knife, since the plantains will expand as they cook. Individually wrap each plantain in aluminum foil and place them on the grill or in the oven. Let them cook for about 45 to 50 minutes, until they are soft and cooked through.
  • You know they are ready when they feel extremely soft to the touch and the sugar of the plantain has begun to caramelize. Open the aluminum foil, make a slit in the plantains, sprinkle with salt and sugar and eat them up!

Notes

Plátanos Macho al Horno

Orange and Almond Flan

orange almond flan
Print Recipe
4.56 from 9 votes

Orange and Almond Flan

Orange and Almond Flan recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 11 “Middle Eastern Influences”
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: almond, Caramel, flan, Grand Marnier, orange, orange juice, pati's mexican table
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar for caramel
  • 1 1/2 cups peeled and slivered almonds
  • 3/4 cup sugar for flan
  • 10 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups orange juice
  • Grated zest of an orange
  • 2 tbsp quince liquor or Grand Marnier, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 360 degrees.
  • In a pan, heat the cup of sugar over low heat until it achieves the consistency of caramel. It takes a while, but don’t leave it unattended and move the pan as it begins to melt. Once it looks like caramel and is melted, decide how dark and strong you want the caramel to be. The lighter the color of the caramel, the lighter flavor. But be careful because if it gets too dark it can taste bitter and can burn quickly. Take it off the heat and pour it into the bottom of a flan or round tube mold or into 10 individual custard cups. Do so quickly, since caramel hardens fast.
  • Place the almonds and remaining sugar into the blender or food processor and finely grind. Add the orange juice, orange zest and blend. Add in the eggs and quince liquor or Grand Marnier and puree until combined. Pour the flan mixture on top of the hardened caramel in the molds.
  • Place the molds in a hot water bath in a deep baking pan. Make sure the water comes up to about half the height of the molds and that the water is very hot. Slide the baking pan with the molds into the oven. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a flan comes out clean. When ready, take them out of the oven, out of the water bath and allow to cool.
  • If flans will not be eaten on the same day, they can be covered and refrigerated, for up to a week. Before unmolding, you can place the molds in a container with very hot water for 5 to 10 seconds, so that the sugar will melt a bit, and help the flan come out. You can also run the tip of the knife around the rim of the flan. Then turn the flans onto a plate, but wait a bit until most caramel pours on top of each flan.

Notes

Flan de Naranja y Almendra

Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce

chicken in tomatillo salsa
Print Recipe
4.63 from 8 votes

Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce

Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 4 “Tomatillos”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: brown sugar, chicken, chicken broth, chipotles in adobo, garlic, onion, pati's mexican table, piloncillo, tomatillos
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken leg quarters or 3 drumsticks and 3 thighs, rinsed and patted dry
  • 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt more or less to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/4 cup safflower or corn oil
  • 2 cups white onion sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 2 lbs tomatillos husks removed and rinsed, quartered
  • 4 tbsp piloncillo shredded, or substitute for brown sugar
  • 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce plus more sauce if desired
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions

  • Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  • In a thick and tall heavy skillet or casserole dish, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Brown on one side, for about 4 to 5 minutes and then flip and brown on the other side, for another 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t try to flip too soon or the skin will stick to the skillet. Remove the chicken pieces and place in a bowl. You may remove the skin if you wish, I don’t.
  • Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, for about 20 seconds. Make room in the pan and add the tomatillos. Let it cook all together, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the piloncillo, the chipotles and their sauce and stir well. Once it comes to a simmer incorporate the chicken pieces along with the chicken broth and cook for about 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be chunky and thick, and the chicken fully cooked.

Notes

Pollo con Tomate Verde, Chipotle y Piloncillo

Plantain and Refried Bean Quesadillas

Pati Jinich Plantain and Refried Bean Quesadillas
Print Recipe
4.20 from 5 votes

Plantain and Refried Bean Quesadillas

Plantain and Refried Bean Quesadillas recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 1, Episode 1 “Quesadillas”
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Antojos, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pati's mexican table, Plantains, Quesadilla, refried beans
Servings: 6 to 8 quesadillas
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 pound yellow mature plantains
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2/3 cup refried beans store bought or home-made
  • Safflower or corn oil to fry

Instructions

  • Place the whole plantains in a large pot filled with boiling water. Simmer, partially covered, for 20 to 30 minutes, until they are thoroughly cooked. Remove from the water and let cool. Peel the plantains, slice, and place in a food processor along with the sugar. Process until smooth. If the dough seems to soft and runny, you may add some all purpose flour to thicken it a bit. You may also let it sit in the refrigerator, covered, for a half an hour so it will harden too.
  • Make round balls of about 1 to 2″. Press in between plastic rounds in a tortilla press or roll with a roller until you get a flat disk of about ¼”. Place about a tablespoon of refried beans right in the center and fold like a turnover. Press down along the edges so they will be tightly sealed.
  • In a large deep skillet set over medium heat, heat enough oil to have about an inch high. About 3 to 4 minutes later, when it is hot but not smoking, insert the quesadillas a few at a time. The oil should be bubbling around the quesadillas as you do. Let them fry, about 2 minutes on each side until nicely tanned and lightly crisped. Don’t let them brown too much. Remove them and place on a paper towel to drain excess of oil.
  • Serve with your favorite salsa.

Notes

Quesadillas de Plátano Macho con Frijolitos Refritos

Fluffy Plantain and Pecan Bread

fluffy plantain bread
Print Recipe
4.50 from 6 votes

Fluffy Plantain and Pecan Bread

Fluffy Plantain and Pecan Bread recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 2, Episode 13 “Naturally Vegetarian Mexican”
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: banana bread, pati's mexican table, pecans, Plantains, vanilla
Servings: 1 10-inch loaf
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 sticks or 6 oz unsalted butter plus more for the pan
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 pound ripe plantains peeled, sliced, and roughly mashed (about 1 1/2 cups mashed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 cup roughly chopped pecans

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Butter sides and bottom of the loaf pan and lightly dust it with flour; set it aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until soft. Stir in the sugar and keep beating until fluffy. Beat in the eggs until well mixed.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Lower the speed on the mixer. Alternate between adding the plantains and the sifted dry ingredient mixture.
  • Add the vanilla and pecans and mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and gently place a piece of aluminum foil on top. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 15 to 18 minutes, or until the top of the bread looks golden brown and puffed-out. If you inset a toothpick, it should come out moist but not wet.

Notes

Pan de plátano macho y nuez

Impossible Chocoflan

impossible chocoflan
Print Recipe
4 from 6 votes

Impossible Chocoflan

Impossible Chocoflan recipe from Pati's Mexican Table Season 2, Episode 10 “Lip-Smacking Mexican Meal”
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Cajeta, cake, Chocolate, chocolate cake, Dulce de Leche, flan, pati's mexican table, pecans, Sweetened Condensed Milk, vanilla
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Pati Jinich

Ingredients

For the Molds or Ramekins:

For the cake:

  • 4 oz or 1 stick of unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

For the Flan:

  • 1 12- oz can evaporated milk
  • 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Garnish:

  • 1/3 cup toasted pecans chopped

Instructions

  • Set the oven to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of each ramekin or mold until evenly spread. Pour the cajeta into the buttered molds, distributing evenly between all 12.

To Make the Cake Base:

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until fluffy. Then, beat in the egg. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • At medium-low speed, beat in half of the flour mixture and half of the buttermilk into the butter/sugar mixture. Then, beat in the remaining halves. Make sure you scrape the side of the bowl so all of the ingredients mix evenly. Put the mixer on medium-high speed and beat for an additional minute.

To Make the Flan:

  • Place the eggs, vanilla, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk in a blender and puree until smooth.

To Prepare the Entire Dish:

  • Pour the cake batter into each ramekin or mold. Then, pour the flan mixture on top, it will look messy, but don’t worry, that’s how it’s supposed to be! Place the ramekins in a large pan or baking dish. Pour hot water into the dish up to halfway the height of the molds. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and seal.
  • Place the in the oven and bake for about 50 to 55 minutes, or until the surface of each cake feels solid, looks baked and a wooden toothpick comes out moist but not wet.
  • Remove from the oven. Be careful when you open the aluminum foil as the steam will be very hot. Once cool enough to handle, remove the ramekins out of the water bath. Once cool, cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 2 hours before eating.
  • When ready to serve, run the tip of a knife around the ramekin and place it cake-side down onto a plate. Lift the mold up. Drizzle with any cajeta from the mold and decorate with chopped pecans.

Notes

Chocoflan imposible