Cooking In Mexican From A to Z

Latest Episodes:

Plantains: The People's Ingredient Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Today Zarela and Aarón welcome one of Aarón's early mentors, Jorge Adriazola, to tackle the many uses of plantains. They share recipes of the various ways in which plantains are prepared throughout the Caribbean, Latin America and South America. Jorge walks through how to prepare Tostones (pro tip from Aarón: the same technique works for homemade french fries as well) and Zarela and Jorge sing the praises of home-rendered lard. Plus, the three of them pay homage to several luminaries of Latin American cooking who paved the way for chefs like Jorge and Aarón.

For more recipes from Zarela and Aarón, visit zarela.com and chefaaronsanchez.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You Say Tomato, I Say Tomatillo Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

On this episode, Zarela & Aarón contrast the tomato with its relative, the tomatillo. They invite their friend - and favorite tomato farmer - Tim Stark of Eckerton Hill Farm to join the conversation and explain how he grows his delicious produce. Tim weighs in on how the heirloom tomato landscape has evolved over the past two decades and the effects of farmer's markets on what customers want to eat. Plus, Zarela and Aarón share their processes for working with tomatoes and tomatillos in the kitchen.

For more recipes from Zarela and Aarón, visit zarela.com and chefaaronsanchez.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crafting Layers of Flavor with Chile Colorado Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode Zarela and Aarón have the studio all to themselves as they discuss Chile Colorado (the pepper, rather than the dish that shares its name). They walk home cooks through the process of buying, storing, preparing dried chilis and what tools work best. Zarela explains her mother’s traditional method for a Chile Colorado base, and Aarón tells listeners how he has incorporated these flavors at his restaurants. They also share stories from Aarón’s childhood in NYC and Zarela’s at the ranch in Chihuahua.

For more recipes from Zarela and Aarón, visit zarela.com and chefaaronsanchez.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mexican Herbs and Wild Greens Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode, Aarón and Zarela are joined by their friend Chef John Mooney of Bell, Book & Candle (NYC) and Bidwell (Washinton, D.C.). John explains how he has incorporated vertical agriculture into his work as a restaurateur, and together they discuss a number of their favorite Mexican herbs and greens.

They proceed ingredient by ingredient, sharing how to use avocado leaves in barbacoas; mint in meatballs; plus, they discuss cilantro, culantro, pepicha, papalo and more!

For more recipes from Zarela and Aarón, visit zarela.com and chefaaronsanchez.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Triple Bounty of Squashes Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Aarón and Zarela are joined by Anne Mendelson, Zarela’s co-author on numerous cookbooks and a long-time family friend. Together they talk about squash - including pumpkins and zucchini - and how to use these vegetables in their entirety. They share ideas for using squash seeds in sauce as well as recipes for Sikil P’ak and Calabasitas Con Queso. Plus, Anne takes us all on a tour of how squash has traveled around the world and Zarela shares memories of the squash dishes she grew up with on the ranch.

For more recipes from Zarela and Aarón, visit zarela.com and chefaaronsanchez.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Great History of Vanilla Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

Aaron and Zarela welcome Chef Fany Gerson of La Newyorkina and Fan Fan Doughnuts to explore an ingredient we all know and love: vanilla. When people think of this universal flavor, they don’t always think of it as a Mexican ingredient. But vanilla is indigenous to Veracruz. We’ll learn all about it – from how it’s produced (hint: it’s not a bean) – to Fany’s love of vanilla in her Paletas (Mexican ice pops) and her new Brooklyn shop Fan-Fan Doughnuts.

Plus, Zarela shares one of her favorite savory recipes using vanilla, Pollo Papantla (chicken with orange juice and vanilla), and some family memories of growing up around the precious vanilla production.

Photo Courtesy of Evan Sung

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mexican Corn Kitchen Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

On this episode Aarón and Zarela welcome their first guest: Zack Wangeman of Sobre Masa. Zack was born and raised in Oaxaca and interned with Aarón when he was only a teenager! Together they discuss the ins-and-outs of Mexican heirloom corn, including how it’s been farmed and used throughout history and why it’s different from corn grown in the United States. They also talk about how to make masa and much more!

Plus, Zarela tells stories from her childhood growing up on a cattle ranch in Chihuahua and shares her recipe for tamales. To read the piece Zarela wrote on corn for the Daily Meal, click here.

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Getting to Know Mexican Green Chiles with Aarón and Zarela Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

In this very first episode of Cooking in Mexican from A to Z, mother-son duo, Aarón Sánchez and Zarela Martínez discuss one of their favorite ingredients: chiles verdes, or green chiles. The traditional Mexican techniques of roasting, drying, and cooking are told through stories of their early days on the ranch in Mexico through their careers as chefs in NYC. They talk about their identity as a family (three generations of cookbook authors!), their personal and professional relationship (which includes being the first mother-son team to cook at the White House), and developing their own culinary styles.

Then, they let the ingredients guide the conversation. Aarón and Zarela dive into regionality, flavor principles, and food history. They share where the jalapeño gets its name and explain why you should never rinse a roasted chili. They also cover ways of growing, roasting, and drying chilis and suggest methods for eating them stuffed or in dips, soups, marmalade and much more.

To find some of the recipes and videos they talk about, visit zarela.com

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Cooking in Mexican from A to Z by becoming a member!

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming Soon from HRN: Cooking in Mexican from A to Z Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

They’re mother and son, but also award-winning celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and cookbook authors. Aarón Sánchez and Zarela Martínez will take you on a culinary journey featuring regional ingredients that are the soul of Mexican cuisine. From chilis to chocolate and everything in between, Aaron, Zarela and special guests will share stories, tips, techniques, and quintessential recipes in spirited kitchen table conversations.

Theme Music: "Ella" by Zarela Martínez & Humberto Flores

Cooking in Mexican from A to Z is produced by HotDish Productions and powered by Simplecast.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.