Pati's Mexican Table

Pati shows how to get the most out of one day in the city of Oaxaca. In 24 hours, she takes in the top sights, meets up with a local guide, goes to the market for lunch, and gives us a taste of the vibrant restaurant scene in one of the top culinary destinations in Mexico. In her kitchen, she recreates some of the things she had at the market and gives them some new uses.

Pati takes viewers on a deep dive into the history of Oaxaca cuisine from pre-Hispanic origins, to the introduction of Spanish techniques, and finally modern day movements. She starts by tasting ancestral recipes at the local market. Then, she meets up with a friend and historian who takes her to a restaurant, where they eat traditional Oaxaca recipes with a modern twist. Back in her kitchen, inspired by the tastes from that day, she shares new dishes that happen to be vegetarian with her friend and food editor Joe Yonan.

Pati travels to the small town of Teotitlan de Valle to meet with one of the best cooks in Oaxaca, Abigail Mendoza. Abigail is opening her home to show Pati her dedication to preserving the pre-Hispanic techniques and recipes of her Zapotec ancestors. Back in Pati's kitchen, her experience with Abigail inspires recipes that feature few ingredients used in rustic Oaxacan ways, including chicken with oregano and garlic, grilled corn salad, and burnt milk ice cream.

Pati takes a drive to a region in Oaxaca known for producing some of the best mezcal in all of Mexico. She meets the producer of a small family-run operation and learns how mezcal is made, from field to bottle. Back home, she has a mezcal-inspired get together with a few close friends and serves a bountiful Mexican steak salad and Oaxacan sours made with mezcal.

Pati spends a day with one of Oaxaca's best-known chefs and owner of Casa Oaxaca, Alex Ruiz. Alex takes Pati on a personal journey through his favorite market and family farm, showing her the Oaxaca that he knows and loves. In her kitchen, Pati creates some family friendly recipes inspired by her day with Alex and serves them to her son Juju.

Pati meets with women chefs, business owners and leaders of society, exploring the role of women in Oaxaca and their influence on the customs and cuisine. In her kitchen, she cooks recipes that she learned from Oaxacan women including coloradito chicken and a mashed potato cazuela. Then, she ends with a favorite of the women in her family, a milky and luscious chocolatey dessert.

Pati takes us on an in-depth exploration of all things mole. Oaxaca is known as the land of moles, and there are too many varieties to name. Through instruction in her kitchen and exploration while in Oaxaca, she's going to give viewers the basics of mole, some of its history and importance, and a few of her personal favorite recipes.

Pati travels to a region in Oaxaca known as La Mixteca and learns what makes the food and culture so unique. She meets up with Ixchel Ornellas, a chef, restaurant owner, and one of Mixteca's best cooks, who invites her on a personal tour of her city. Then, back in her kitchen, Pati creates new recipes based on that experience: corn soup with queso and pescado agridulce.

Pati visits the town of San Martin Tilcajete to meet Maria and Jacobo at their famous art school. There, she learns the ins and outs of their delicate alebrije making process and tastes an outrageously delicious liver and eggs meal prepared for the artists. In her kitchen, those eggs are an inspiration for a Oaxacan-themed breakfast.

People are always asking Pati how she turned a passion for food into a career. Over the years, she's told the story in bits and pieces but she's never told the full story. Throughout this episode, she'll explain where her passion for food started, what decisions led her to where she is today, and some of the twists and turns she took to get here.

Pati spends the day with her youngest son, Juju. Juju is known for his obsession with chocolate. In this episode, they spend the day in the kitchen coming up with three delicious chocolate-loaded recipes: chocolate chocolate chunk banana bread, chocolate crepe tower, and an overloaded Mexican chocolate milkshake.

An episode dedicated to one of the Jinich's favorite ingredients: cheese. In her kitchen, Pati cooks three mouthwatering cheesy recipes – one for each of her boys. In Oaxaca, Pati and her three sons visit a cheese producer to see how the famous Oaxacan cheese is made.

In this episode, Pati makes a few family staples with recipes that have many different uses. Perfect for busy families on the go, these recipes can be set aside or kept in the fridge to use later in a variety of delicious meals. They're more than just a meal, they'll keep your family satisfied all week.