Pati's Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking by Pati Jinich

Pati's Mexican Table: The Secrets of Real Mexican Home Cooking by Pati Jinich

The host of the highly popular PBS show Pati's Mexican Table shares everyday Mexican dishes, from the traditional to creative twists.

Pati Jinich has a mission. She's out to prove that Mexican home cooking is quicker and far easier than most Americans think.

Surprising in their simplicity and freshness, Pati's recipes incorporate produce and grains. Most important, they fit perfectly into an everyday family cooking schedule and use just a handful of ingredients, most of which are already in your pantry. Many are homey specialties that Pati learned from her mother and grandmother, some are creative spins on classics, while others are not well known outside of Mexico.

Dishes like Chicken à la Trash (it's delicious!), a one-pot meal that Pati gleaned from a Mexican restaurant cook; Mexican Meatballs with Mint and Chipotle; Sweet and Salty Salmon; and Mexican-Style Pasta can revitalize your daily repertoire. You'll find plenty of vegetarian fare, from Classic Avocado Soup, to Divorced Eggs (with red and green salsa), to Oaxaca-Style Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas.

Your friends and family will enjoy Tomato and Mozzarella Salad with Pickled Ancho Chile Vinaigrette; Crab Cakes with Jalapeño Aioli; and Chicken Tinga--(you can use rotisserie chicken), which makes a tasty filling for tortas and tostadas. Pati also shares exciting dishes for the holidays and other special occasions, including Mexican Thanksgiving Turkey with Chorizo, Pecan, Apple, and Corn Bread Stuffing; Spiral-Cut Beef Tenderloin; and Red Pozole ("a Mexican party in a bowl"), which she served on her wedding day. Desserts like Triple Orange Mexican Wedding Cookies, Scribble Cookies (sandwich cookies filled with chocolate), and little Apricot-Lime Glazed Mini Pound Cakes are sophisticated yet simple to make.

Pati's Mexican Table, presently in its ninth season, is hosted by PATI JINICH (pronounced HEEN-ich). She has been on NPR's Splendid Table and All Things Considered, NBC's Today, CBS's The Talk, ABC's Good Morning America, and Food Network as the resident chef of the Mexican Cultural Institute. She also contributes to The Washington Post and The New York Times. She was born and reared in Mexico City and now lives with her husband and three sons in Chevy Chase, Maryland.