Ep 5. Convent Food

Pati's Mexican Table is a culinary show hosted by Pati Jinich, a Mexican chef and cookbook author. Each episode of the show features Pati preparing and cooking various Mexican dishes while providing insight into the cultural and historical background of the food.

In season 1 episode 5 of Pati's Mexican Table, titled Convent Food, Pati explores the traditional dishes of Mexican convents. Convents have played a crucial role in the development of Mexican cuisine, particularly during the colonial period when nuns would cook for visitors and locals alike.

Pati begins the episode by visiting the Santa Rosa de Lima convent, located in the city of Pueblo. There, she meets Sister Isabel, who shares with her the history of the convent and gives her a tour of the kitchen. Pati is in awe of the simple yet functional kitchen and marvels at the massive clay pots that were used to cook food for the community.

After leaving the convent, Pati heads back to her own kitchen to prepare some of the traditional dishes she learned about at the Santa Rosa de Lima convent. She starts with a simple and delicious dish called Enfrijoladas, which consists of tortillas dipped in a savory black bean sauce and topped with crumbled cheese and sliced onions. She also prepares Chile Relleno, a spicy dish made with stuffed poblano peppers that are filled with cheese, covered in a tomato sauce, and baked in the oven.

Next, Pati visits the Santa Ana de Tepetitlan convent, located in the state of Jalisco. There, she meets with Sister Rosa Maria, who shares with her the history of the convent and the special techniques that are used to prepare traditional dishes such as Chiles Secos, which is a dried chili paste that is used as a base for many Mexican sauces.

Pati returns to her kitchen where she prepares a special dessert called Chileatole, which is a sweet corn pudding with cinnamon and vanilla that is served with a delicious sugar and cinnamon syrup. She also prepares Chicken Pipian, a classic Mexican dish made with chicken, pumpkin seeds, and other spices.

Throughout the episode, Pati emphasizes the importance of convents in preserving and passing down traditional Mexican dishes and techniques. She also discusses the role of women in Mexican cuisine and the impact they have had on the development of the country's diverse culinary landscape.

In conclusion, Pati's Mexican Table season 1 episode 5 is an insightful and informative exploration of the traditional dishes of Mexican convents. Pati's passion for Mexican cuisine is infectious, and her joy at discovering new flavors and techniques is evident throughout the episode. Whether you are a Mexican food enthusiast or simply love cooking shows, Pati's Mexican Table is a must-watch.