Ep 13. Jose Andres Takes Over

Pati's Mexican Table season 5 episode 13 is titled "Jose Andres Takes Over." In this episode, Chef Pati invites renowned Spanish-American chef, Jose Andres, into her kitchen to cook some delicious Mexican dishes. Andres is known for his work promoting sustainable food and hunger relief around the world, and he brings his unique perspective to the traditional Mexican cuisine that Pati is famous for.

The episode begins with Pati and Andres discussing their mutual love of food and their passion for creating sustainable and equitable food systems. They share stories of their travels and the people they have met along the way who inspire them in their work. As they begin to cook, Pati and Andres talk about the importance of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and preserving traditional food cultures.

The first dish that Pati and Andres prepare together is a classic Mexican street food: tacos al pastor. They marinate thin slices of pork with a blend of dried chiles, pineapple, and other spices, and grill them on skewers over an open flame. They then assemble the tacos with fresh corn tortillas, a pineapple salsa, and a squeeze of lime. The result is a mouth-watering explosion of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.

Next, Pati and Andres turn their attention to another classic Mexican dish: chiles rellenos. They stuff poblano peppers with a mix of ground beef, rice, and vegetables, and then dip them in a fluffy egg batter before frying them up to a golden brown. They serve the chiles rellenos over a bed of tomato sauce and sprinkle them with crumbled queso fresco and fresh herbs.

As they cook, Pati and Andres continue to share insights into their culinary philosophies and the cultural significance of the dishes they are making. They talk about the ways that food can bring people together, across cultures and borders, and how it can be a powerful tool for social change.

Finally, Pati and Andres collaborate on a dessert that combines Mexican and Spanish flavors: churros con chocolate. They make the churros from scratch, piping the dough into long strips and frying them until crispy. They then dip the churros into a rich chocolate sauce made with cinnamon and cloves, a nod to the Spanish influence on Mexican cuisine.

Throughout the episode, Pati and Andres share their infectious passion for food and cooking, inspiring viewers to try new flavors and embrace the power of food to bring people together. With their creative twists on traditional Mexican dishes, they show that food can be both delicious and meaningful, a way to connect with others and make the world a better place.