Ep 6. Ube in the Bay

In the sixth episode of the second season of "Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi," titled "Ube in the Bay," Padma travels to the San Francisco Bay Area to explore the Filipino American community's culinary offerings. Padma's journey begins with a visit to a bakery where she tries the popular Filipino bread, pandesal, filled with a unique ube jam. Along with her, a celebrity guest, comedian Jo Koy, joins her for this culinary tour.

Padma and Jo then visit a Filipino restaurant that's been around since 1947, where they try the signature dish "La Paz Batchoy," a flavorful soup made of pork, liver, and noodles. Padma and Jo also taste a few other traditional Filipino dishes like pork adobo, crispy lumpia, and bicol express.

Next, Padma and Jo visit a food truck that serves Filipino-Mexican fusion cuisine, where they try the "Kare-Kare" burrito, which is filled with oxtail, eggplant, and peanut sauce. Padma is impressed with how the chef has combined two different cuisines to create something unique and flavorful.

The duo then meets a third-generation farmer who grows ube, a purple yam that is a staple ingredient in Filipino cuisine. Padma and Jo are surprised to learn that ube is not native to the Philippines but was brought over during the Spanish colonial era.

Padma then goes to a trendy Filipino restaurant where they've put a modern twist on Filipino dishes. She tries the "kinilaw," a dish made of raw fish mixed with vinegar and citrus flavors, and "Lechon Kawali Sliders" that are made with pork belly.

Lastly, Padma visits a family-run bakery that makes traditional Filipino desserts like "cassava cake," "maja blanca," and "ube cheesecake." The bakery owner talks about how her mother's recipes inspired her to open the bakery and share these desserts with the community.

Throughout the episode, Padma and Jo learn about the rich history and culture of the Filipino American community and how their food is a reflection of their heritage. They also acknowledge the challenges the Filipino community has faced, starting from the time when the Philippines was colonized by Spain to contemporary social and economic issues.

In conclusion, "Ube in the Bay" is a heartwarming and informative episode that celebrates the Filipino American community's unique culinary traditions. Padma and Jo's fun-loving chemistry adds humor to the episode, and their willingness to try new foods and learn about the community's history showcases the essence of this show.