Mexican Made Easy Season 2 Episode 10 Mexican Family Style

In Mexican Made Easy season 2 episode 10, titled "Mexican Family Style," host Marcela Valladolid shares some of her favorite family recipes and shows viewers how to prepare delicious Mexican dishes that are perfect for sharing with loved ones.

The episode begins with Marcela introducing viewers to her own family, including her mother, who is also a talented cook. Marcela talks about how important food is in Mexican culture, especially when it comes to family gatherings and celebrations.

The first recipe Marcela shares is for her mother's famous black bean soup. She explains that this soup is perfect for feeding a crowd, and it's easy to customize with different toppings. Marcela shows viewers how to prepare the soup from scratch, starting with soaking and cooking the beans, and then blending them with aromatic vegetables, spices, and broth. She then serves the soup with a variety of toppings, including crispy tortilla strips, avocado, queso fresco, and lime.

Next, Marcela demonstrates how to make a delicious chicken tinga, which is a shredded chicken dish in a smoky tomato sauce. She explains that this is another great recipe for feeding a large group, as it can be served with tortillas or on top of rice or salad. Marcela starts by simmering chicken breasts in a flavorful broth with onion and garlic, then shredding the meat and cooking it with a sauce made of tomatoes, chipotle peppers, and various herbs and spices. She garnishes the tinga with fresh cilantro and serves it with warm tortillas and lime wedges.

For dessert, Marcela prepares a classic Mexican treat: arroz con leche, or rice pudding. She explains that this dessert is a favorite in her family, and it's a great way to use up leftover rice. Marcela shows viewers how to cook the rice with milk, cinnamon, and sugar until it's thick and creamy, then adds raisins and chopped nuts for texture and flavor. She garnishes the pudding with a sprinkle of cinnamon and serves it warm or chilled.

Throughout the episode, Marcela also shares tips for making each recipe more flavorful or easier to prepare. For example, she suggests using a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking time for the black beans, and she recommends using bone-in chicken for the tinga to add more richness to the sauce.

Overall, "Mexican Family Style" is a warm and inviting episode of Mexican Made Easy that celebrates the importance of food and family in Mexican culture. Marcela's recipes are easy to follow and full of flavor, making them perfect for anyone who wants to explore the delicious world of Mexican cuisine.