More Than Just A Meal

The Yucatan Peninsula is known for its vast jungles, underground cenotes, pristine beaches, ancient architecture and sensational food. With the help of local friends and chefs, Pedro Evia and David Cetina, Pati gets an inside look at Merida, the capital of Yucatan. Pati explores the forefronts of molecular gastronomy, botanas "bar snacks" like chaya empanadas filled with gooey Edam cheese at a cantina, family classics like mondongo stew at the market, and even foreign influences like Kibi. One thing is for sure, Merida is a food-lovers city.

Pati's favorite way to experience a new place is on the arm of a local. Her good friend Pedro Evia, chef behind K'u'uk restaurant in Merida, accompanies Pati on one of his favorite day trips-to the coastal town of Celestun. Their adventure begins with a delicious breakfast complete with freshest seafood caught that morning. Then they take a boat ride to see the main attraction, the flamingos, hundreds of them. After that it's time to get to work. Pati and Pedro have a cookout right on the beach making a fresh ceviche and grilled fish with ingredients from the local market.

Sunday in Merida is a day not to miss. It is a joyous weekly celebration of food, dancing, and culture. Pati starts her day like most Meridians, at the market. After touring around and tasting the best lechon torta (slow cooked pork sandwich) in town, she takes in the sights of the Vaqueria dance in the main square. Merida en Domingo is incomplete without a family meal. Luckily, friend and chef Robert Solis of Nectar restaurant in Merida, invites Pati into his home for a traditional Sunday meal with the whole family.

Join Pati as she explores Campeche, a bright beautiful colonial city defined by its history of piracy. The best place to gain an understanding of this vivacious fortified city is the market. Local gastronomic historian, Lolina Echeverria, unearths what makes Campeche so special, including tasting the best turkey panuchos in the Yucatan Peninsula. Pati also makes her way to the best restaurant in town, La Pigua to sample some of the regions treasures like pescado verde and grilled octopus.

Pati's three sons are in Mexico and Pati wants them to experience the essence of the Yucatan. First stop, they climb the ancient ruins of Uxmal and discover how advanced the ancient Maya civilizations were. After an exhaustive exploration, the boys cool off in one of the thousands of hidden cenotes (swimming holes). To fill their bellies, the boys eat the best tamales they have ever tasted and the regions signature dish, cochinita pibil, which uses the ancient technique of cooking the meat with heated rocks buried underground.