Flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sea of Cortez to the east, the sun-soaked Baja peninsula is Mexico's undiscovered "West," with its stark desert landscapes, secluded coves and striking mountains. Season eight of "MEXICO - ONE PLATE AT A TIME WITH RICK BAYLESS" follows chef-restaurateur-author Rick Bayless on his travels from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas to explore the cuisine and culture of this region of Mexico.
Recipes from Chef Rick Bayless
Explore the wonders of the Mexican kitchen with recipes from award-winning cookbooks by Rick Bayless and the PBS cooking show, MEXICO - ONE PLATE AT A TIME. In addition, you'll find seasonal menu ideas, details on essential Mexican ingredients, suggested wine pairings and exclusive new recipes from the kitchens of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo and the Bayless home.
All season long, Rick seeks out authentic Baja cuisine, venturing into local markets, hidden-treasure taco stands and off-the-beaten-path restaurants. Back in his Chicago kitchen, Rick translates the dishes from Baja's progressive chefs, locals, vendors and winemakers into easy-to-replicate recipes for the home cook.
"Presenting: World-Class Wines Of Baja" - Baja California Norte produces many world-class, gold medal-winning wines. That fact may surprise most people in the United States.
In this episode, Rick takes us on a tour of the region along with renowned winemaker and visionary Hugo d’Acosta, founder of La Escuelita, a nonprofit winemaking school that opened in 2004. Hugo introduces Rick to his Casa de Piedra wines before taking Rick on a tour of the school where locals and chefs come to make their own wines.
At Tres Mujeres, a charming winery run by three women, Rick tastes each of their wines with their favorite dishes. Their cooking inspires Rick to make stuffed chiles with red wine at home.
At L.A. Cetto, winemaker Camillo Magoni tells Rick about his 47-year career with one of the oldest wineries in Mexico. Rick cooks with Ludwig Hussong of San Rafael Winery in the Valle de Ojos Negros and they toast the wines of Mexico.
Chef Bayless is on Facebook, and you can follow @Rick_Bayless on Twitter.
UP NEXT: KPBS will broadcast season nine of MEXICO - ONE PLATE AT A TIME beginning Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 3 p.m.
