Christopher Kimball's Milk Street Television Season 5, Episode 19: La Cocina de Puerto Vallarta

Mexico City Favorites

Christopher Kimball travels to Mexico City to learn favorite dinner recipes from cooking school instructor Esmeralda Brinn and Adriana Luna, chef at La Cocina de Mi Mamá in the Coyoacán market. Back in the kitchen, Chris prepares a layered Chicken, Salsa Verde and Tortilla Casserole (Pastel Azteca). Then, Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark makes Pork in Veracruz Sauce (Puntas a la Veracruzana), a skillet dish of thinly sliced pork with a tomato, olive and caper sauce.

30 min

Middle Eastern Meets London

In this episode, we get inspiration from London’s Middle Eastern restaurant scene. First, Christopher Kimball and Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark make Jerusalem-Style Mixed Grill Chicken with tahini sauce and pickled onions. Then, Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri roasts a whole Cauliflower with Spiced Tahini and Garlic-Chili Oil. Finally, Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges bakes a rustic Almond-Coconut Cake with Cherries and Pistachios, which channels the heaps of gleaming fruit and nuts found at a Middle Eastern market.

Tuesday Night Bologna

In this episode, Christopher Kimball heads to Bologna, Italy, to learn a simple weeknight menu. First, he bakes a sumptuous Italian Flourless Chocolate Torta based on the closely guarded secret recipe known as torta Barozzi. Then, Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark prepares a simple pasta dish, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Tomatoes and Basil, and Chris makes creamy and rustic Italian Bean Soup with Fresh Pasta.

Portuguese Classics

This episode takes a look at the cooking of Portugal for a gooey egg cake, a hearty braise and a fragrant soup. First, Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges bakes a Portuguese Sponge Cake with an airy, golden-hued crumb. Then, Christopher Kimball cooks Madeiran Pork with Wine and Garlic (Carne Vinha d’Alhos), equally suited as a main course or sandwich filling. Finally, Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay prepares Garlic and Cilantro Soup with Chickpeas (Açorda Alentejana), thickened with toasted bread and topped with soft cooked eggs.

Israel New and Old

Christopher Kimball travels to the Galilee Valley to make a kafta traybake with Reem Kassis, author of “The Palestinian Table.” Then, Chris heads to Tel Aviv for a meal at Shlomo & Doron, a shop famous for its hummus, both classic and unconventional. Back in the kitchen, Chris makes Lebanese Baked Kafta with Potatoes and Tomatoes, a comforting casserole with warm spices, followed by Hummus with Chipotle Black Beans and Tomato Salsa. Finally, Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark bakes soft and chewy Yeasted Flatbreads with Za’atar Oil.

Milk Street Vegetarian

In this episode, we explore ways that vegetables can become the star of the plate. First, Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark makes Cauliflower Steaks with Pickled Peppers, Capers and Parmesan for a satisfying main dish. Then, Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges assembles Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas inspired by Mexican flavors. Finally, Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri makes Panzanella with Fresh Mozzarella featuring perfectly seasoned tomatoes and bright, quick-pickled onions.

The Secrets of Amalfi

In this episode, we learn three recipes inspired by the sweet, softball-sized lemons abundant along the Amalfi coast of Italy. First, Christopher Kimball cooks Spaghetti with Lemon Pesto, demonstrating a pesto recipe that uses lemon zest instead of basil. Then, Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay makes Lemon and Shrimp Risotto with Fresh Basil, finished with an egg yolk and cream to give the rice a lush, velvety texture. Finally, Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark bakes an Amalfi-Style Lemon Cake that’s moist and tangy thanks to a lemon simple syrup.

Cheryl Day Bakes Cakes!

Christopher Kimball visits Cheryl Day at Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia, to learn treasured recipes from her repertoire of southern baking. First, it’s Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Cream Cheese-Caramel Frosting, where the buttery, bittersweet caramel brings out the earthiness and warm spices in the cupcakes. Then, they make a Glazed Sour Cream and Brown Sugar Bundt Cake, inspired by old-fashioned butterscotch candies. Finally, it’s a grand, show-stopping Chocolate-on-Chocolate Three-Layer Cake.

Taste of Vietnam

In this episode, we look at home cooking in Ho Chi Minh City to learn bold but simple Vietnamese dishes. First, Christopher Kimball makes Vietnamese Beef Stew with Star Anise and Lemon Grass, which beautifully marries local ingredients with French culinary technique. Then, he makes a quick Vietnamese Scallion Sauce as a versatile topping for vegetables, seafood and meat. Finally, Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay prepares aromatic Vietnamese Braised Lemon Grass Chicken, demonstrating a method for getting flavor from stalks of lemon grass.

Everyday Venice

In this episode, we learn from the rich tradition of Venice’s cucina povera to prepare rustic, yet vibrant dishes. First, Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges makes Venetian Rice and Peas (Risi e Bisi), a creamy dish that uses a bright green vegetable broth as its secret ingredient. Then, Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay prepares Polenta with Shrimp and Tomatoes. Finally, Christopher Kimball and Milk Street Cook Lynn Clark bake Venetian Cornmeal and Currant Cookies studded with liqueur-soaked fruit.

The Turkish Kitchen

Christopher Kimball visits Ana Sortun at her restaurant Oleana to learn a recipe for Turkish stuffed flatbreads. Back in the kitchen, he prepares Spinach and Cheese Gözleme by folding Yufka flatbreads around a savory, three-cheese filling. Then, inspired by the pomegranate molasses produced in the south of Turkey, Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri makes Turkish Tomato and Onion Salad with Olive Oil and Pomegranate Molasses and Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay grills Rib-Eye Steaks with Rosemary and Pomegranate Molasses.

Milk Street Chocolate Cakes

In this episode, we bake two chocolate cakes, one a special-occasion dessert and the other a quick, one-bowl affair. First, Christopher Kimball and Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges make Chocolate-Hazelnut Cream Cake with a whipped ganache filling. Then, Milk Street Cook Rayna Jhaveri bakes a gooey-centered Swedish “Sticky” Chocolate Cake, topped with a Flavored Whipped Cream that balances out the cake’s richness.

Summer Kitchens

Ukrainian chef Olia Hercules invites us into her kitchen to learn two recipes inspired by the cooking traditions of Ukraine’s summer kitchens. First, she makes Chicken Roasted with Garlic-Herb Crème Fraîche, coating the bird inside and out with herb-packed crème fraîche that adds flavor and helps brown the skin. Then, she bakes Ricotta-Semolina Cake with Caramelized Apples, a cake-cheesecake hybrid topped with a layer of silky, buttery, golden-hued apple.

The New NY Cheesecake!

In this episode, we take a fresh look at dessert, from a new take on cheesecake to one of France’s easiest and most versatile loaf cakes. First, Christopher Kimball and Milk Street Cook Bianca Borges bake a show-stopping Chèvre Cheesecake with Black Pepper-Graham Crust, a recipe from Angie Mar at New York’s Beatrice Inn. Then, Milk Street Cook Erika Bruce whips up an easy Raspberry Mascarpone Freeform Tart. Finally, Milk Street Cook Josh Mamaclay makes Yogurt Loaf Cake with Coriander and Orange, demonstrating how citrus zest and toasted spices can add complexity to a simple cake.

Udon Noodles at Home

Christopher Kimball visits Japanese cooking instructor Sonoko Sakai at her home to make udon noodles. The secret: Stomping on the dough to knead it! Back in the kitchen, we learn how to make Homemade Udon Noodles as well as two preparations: Udon Noodles in Soy Broth and Udon Noodles with Spicy Meat and Mushroom Sauce. Finally, we prepare a quick, refreshing side of Daikon-Carrot Salad with Sesame and Lemon.

A Taste of Crete

Christopher Kimball travels to Crete to cook with chef Marianna Leivaditaki and heads out to sea with her father, a small-boat fisherman. Back in the kitchen, we prepare Braised Beef with Dried Figs and Quick-Pickled Cabbage, a hearty dish that highlights the flavors of the Mediterranean. Then, we make Shrimp, Orzo and Zucchini with Ouzo and Mint, cooking the orzo like risotto with a fragrant shrimp broth.

Schnitzel and Mashed!

In this episode, we present a complete menu for a satisfying dinner of crispy schnitzel and two sides. First, we make German Pork Schnitzel, demonstrating how to achieve the cutlet’s signature, undulating crust. Then, we whip up Croatian Mashed Potatoes flavored with paprika and caramelized onions. Finally, we prepare the traditional accompaniment to schnitzel, creamy German Cucumber-Dill Salad (Gurkensalat).

Cooking of Ukraine

In this episode, we visit Chef Olia Hercules to learn some Ukranian classics. First, she makes her family’s rendition of the historically significant dish Borsch with Duck and Prunes. Then, she makes Slow Roasted Pork with Sauerkraut, Apples and Dried Fruit, an impressive, succulent roast with a savory-sweet twist.

The Art of Japanese Cooking

Christopher Kimball visits Japanese cooking instructor Sonoko Sakai to learn some of her favorite dishes to make at home. First, it’s Japanese-Style Chicken and Vegetable Curry, taking inspiration from Sonoko’s homemade curry powder blend. Then, we bake Japanese Milk Bread, a fluffy, slightly sweet and fine-textured loaf.

Tuesday Night Mediterranean

In this episode, we learn three recipes inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean. First, we make Provençal Braised Chicken elevated by fresh fennel, white wine, orange zest and saffron. Then, we prepare Sardinian Herb Soup with Fregola and White Beans, a hearty and herbal dish introduced to us by Chef Luigi Crisponi. Finally, it’s a Spanish Shrimp & Chickpea Stew where a combination of smoked and sweet paprika adds deep color and earthy complexity.

Souvlaki and Flatbread

Christopher Kimball travels to Crete to learn classic Greek dishes from Marianna Leivaditaki. First, it’s Pork Souvlaki with Tzatziki and Tomato-Onion Salad. As the perfect accompaniment, we whip up plush Yogurt and Olive Oil Flatbreads. Finally, we bake Broken Phyllo Cake with Orange and Bay, soaked with a syrup infused with cinnamon and cardamom that gives the cake a moist, pudding-like consistency.

Flavors of Ethiopia

In this episode, we travel to Addis Ababa to learn about the spices and stews of Ethiopia. First, we make tender and savory Ethiopian Stewed Collard Greens (Gomen Wat). Then, we prepare Ethiopian Chicken Stew (Doro Wat), featuring fragrant spices and a preponderance of onions. Finally, we demonstrate how to make Berbere, a bold spice blend that is the backbone of numerous Ethiopian dishes.