Cook's Country Season 17, Episode 4: Mexican American Comfort Food

North Carolina Barbecue

Test Cook Morgan Bolling and host Bridget Lancaster head outside to make North Carolina Barbecue Pork. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended fire pits for cooking. Test Cook Carmen Dongo makes host Julia Collin Davison Lemonade with Honey.

24 min

Inspired by Japanese Immigrants

Bryan Roof visits the Emerald City and grills up Seattle Chicken Teriyaki. Ashley Moore makes Sweet Potato Salad with Cumin, Smoked Paprika, and Almonds. Toni Tipton-Martin tells the inspiring story of Chef Nobu, and hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster make his famous Miso Black Cod.

24 min

Unexpected Beef and Potatoes

Morgan Bolling makes host Julia Collin Davison Smoked Prime Rib and a surprise sandwich with leftovers. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about iconic foods that started as leftovers, and equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended grill gloves. Christie Morrison makes Torn Potato Salad with Toasted Garlic and Herb Dressing.

24 min

Southwestern Vegetarian Fare

Test Cook Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison Vegetarian Chili and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the International Chili Society. Jack Bishop challenges Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of Kansas-City Style Barbecue Sauce, and Ashley Moore bakes Jalepeño-Cheddar Scones.

24 min

Spiced Chicken Dinners

Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster make Kombdi, Jira Ghalun (Cumin-Scented Chicken). Tasting Expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia to a tasting of honey. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the history of hot honey, and test Cook Morgan Bolling makes her grandma’s Hot-Honey Chicken.

24 min

A Bold Brunch

Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Bridget Lancaster decadent Brunch Burgers, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares how burgers made it onto the brunch menu. Tasting expert Jack Bishop shares our recommended cooking sprays, and test cook Lawman Johnson makes luxurious Browned Butter Chocolate Chunk Muffins.

24 min

From the Indigenous Pantry

Bryan Roof and Toni Tipton-Martin visit Sean Sherman in Minneapolis and leave inspired to cook from the indigenous pantry. Test cook Morgan Bolling makes Cider-Braised Turkey, and Bryan makes Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Maple Chile Crisp.

Darn Good Desserts

Host Bridget Lancaster makes host Julia Collin Davison a scrumptious S'Mores Pie. Equipment expert Adam Ried reveals our top picks for rolling pins. Test cook Morgan Bolling and host Toni Tipton-Martin bake up M&M Cookies.

24 min

Short Ribs and Baked Potatoes

Test cook Lawman Johnson shows host Bridget Lancaster an ingenious method for making Slow-Roasted Medium-Rare Beef Short Ribs. Tasting Expert Jack Bishop talks all about beef steaks. Toni Tipton-Martin shares a fun baked potato story, and Ashley Moore makes host Julia Collin Davison Twice-Baked Potatoes with Bacon and Cheddar Cheese.

The Power of Southern Cooking

Host Toni Tipton-Martin heads to Edisto Island, South Carolina to visit Emily Meggett, and then Bryan Roof cooks Hoppin' John inspired by her recipe. Ashley Moore makes host Julia Collin Davison Orange Rolls from Cullman, Alabama.

24 min

Duck and Dessert

Julia Collin-Davison makes Bridget Lancaster Duck Breasts with Port Wine-Fig Sauce. Toni Tipton-Martin tells the story of the Tatin sisters and the history of their namesake dish, and Bridget makes Julia Tarte Tatin.

24 min

From the Dairyland

Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison bake a Wisconsin favorite, Cream Cheese Kringle, and Toni Tipton-Martin shares the story of how Kringle made it to Wisconsin from Denmark. Bryan Roof visits Milwaukee and makes Bridget a state-wide favorite, Fried Cheese Curds with Ranch Dressing.

24 min

Southern Staples

Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison crispy Fried Catfish with Comeback Sauce, and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the sauce’s origins. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews serrated bread knives. Test cook Carmen Dongo makes Bridget Lancaster the ultimate Extra-Cheesy Grits.

Pantry Shortcuts

Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Toni Tipton-Martin savory Okinawan Taco Rice. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks about herb and spice blends. Bridget Lancaster makes host Julia Collin Davison nostalgic Pepperoni French Bread Pizza.

24 min

Snack Cake and Sandwich Cookies

Test cook Carmen Dongo bakes host Toni Tipton-Martin a delicious Carrot Snack Cake. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended water bottles. Test cook Christie Morrison and host Bridget Lancaster bake nostalgic Oatmeal Creme Pies.

24 min

Italian Food from Philly

Bryan Roof visits the city of brotherly love and shares his version of Philadelphia Pork Sandwiches. Toni Tipton-Martin shares the origins of Philly Tomato Pie, and test cook Christie Morrison makes her version of the regional favorite.

24 min

Seafood in a Skillet

Bryan Roof visits the Basque Block in Boise, Idaho and makes his version of Clams with Chorizo. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop talks about a kitchen powerhouse, Worcestershire sauce. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the magical pairing of shrimp and garlic, and Christie Morrison makes host Bridget Lancaster Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish-Style Sizzling Garlic Shrimp).

Pork Any Way You Like

Test Cook Ashley Moore makes host Julia Collin Davison weeknight-friendly Pork Chops with Bourbon-Cherry Sauce and Sweet Potatoes. Bryan Roof visits South Carolina to learn about a local delicacy, and shares his version of South Carolina Barbecue Hash with host Bridget Lancaster.

24 min

Crescent City Comforts

Test cook Lawman Johnson makes host Bridget Lancaster a New Orleans favorite, Beef Yakamein, and Toni Tipton-Martin tells the story behind the dish. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended soft coolers. Test cook Ashley Moore whips up a weeknight-ready Bourbon Chicken for host Julia Collin Davison.

24 min

Dinner in a Skillet

Test Cook Ashley Moore breaks out the cast iron skillet to make Chicken and Vegetables for host Bridget Lancaster. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended can openers. Toni Tipton-Martin tells the history of Hamburger Helper, and test cook Morgan Bolling makes host Julia Collin Davison Cheeseburger Mac.

24 min

Hearty and Light Pastas

Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Bridget Lancaster the ultimate Sausage Lasagna. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop challenges host Julia Collin Davison to a tasting of Canned Diced Tomatoes. Toni Tipton- Martin shares the story of the first industrial pasta factory in America, and test cook Morgan Bolling makes Aglio e Olio (Spaghetti with Garlic and Olive Oil).

Fresh Mexican-Inspired Dinners

Bryan Roof visits San Diego and shares his version of Ahi-Chile Tostadas with host Julia Collin Davison. Ingredient expert Jack Bishop discusses the differences between lard and shortening. Toni Tipton-Martin talks about chorizo's journey from Europe to North America, and test cook Lawman Johnson makes host Bridget Lancaster Skillet Corn with Mexican Chorizo.

24 min

Classic Cookout

Test cook Ashley Moore makes a showstopping Blueberry Cream Pie, and Toni Tipton-Martin talks about the rarity of blue foods in nature. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended travel utensil sets. Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison fry up Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken.

24 min

Korean from the Grill

Test Cook Carmen Dongo grills up a Korean classic: Kalbi (Korean Grilled Flanken-Style Short Ribs). Toni Tipton-Martin talks about how the Los Angeles Korean community adapted the dish. Equipment expert Adam Ried shares our recommended vegetable and fruit peelers. Test cook Christie Morrison makes Shredded Carrot and Serrano Chile Salad.

24 min

Celebrating Springtime

Host Julia Collin Davison makes host Bridget Lancaster Pomegranate-Glazed Grilled Lamb Chops. Tasting Expert Jack Bishop talks all about radishes. Test cook Lawman Johnson makes Asparagus Salad with Radishes, and Toni Tipton-Martin traces the inspiration for our recipe.

24 min