Pati's Mexican Table is a food and travel television series that explores Mexican cuisine in different regions of the country. In the second episode of the first season, titled "Foods of the Revolution," Pati takes a journey through Mexican history, exploring how the country's traditional cuisine evolved during the revolutionary era.
The episode begins with Pati in Mexico City, where she visits a popular market to explore the origins of Mexican street food. She explores the different food stands, trying dishes like chicharron (crispy pork skin), tacos al pastor (spit-roasted pork tacos), and esquites (corn off the cob). She then travels to Puebla, where she visits the site of the Cinco de Mayo battle, and learns about the role that Pueblan food played in the revolution.
Next, Pati visits the city of Morelia, where she explores the local corn industry and discovers how it has been an essential part of Mexican cuisine for centuries. She meets a local farmer and visits his fields, where she learns about the different types of corn used in Mexican dishes.
The journey continues as Pati travels to the state of Michoacán, famous for its carnitas (slow-cooked pork). Here, she meets a local family who has been cooking carnitas for generations, and learns about their traditional cooking methods. She then heads to the nearby town of Cuitzeo, where she visits a small taqueria to sample some of the best carnitas in the region.
The episode concludes in the state of Oaxaca, where Pati learns about the region's rich culinary heritage and the role it played in the revolutionary era. She visits a local chocolate factory to learn how Oaxacan chocolate is made, and then heads to a nearby village to meet a local family who has been making traditional mole sauce for generations. She watches as they prepare the sauce, using a variety of ingredients, including chili peppers, spices, and nuts.
Overall, "Foods of the Revolution" is a fascinating look at how Mexican cuisine evolved during one of the most tumultuous periods in the country's history. Pati's journey takes her to some of the most beautiful and interesting regions of Mexico, where she meets local farmers, cooks, and families who are preserving and promoting traditional Mexican cuisine. It's a must-watch for anyone with an interest in food, culture, and history.