Rick Bayless is chef of Frontera Grill and Topolobampo in Chicago, creator of Frontera gourmet foods, cookbook author and host of Mexico - One Plate at a Time.


From the Kitchen of Chef Rick Bayless

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From Christopher:
Hello. I have a question about the recipe called "Caramelized Mango Tart with Mexican Chocolate and Pepitas." Can we use other fruit than mangos? We live up in an area where tropical fruits are very hard to find.
Hi Christopher, You could substitute apples, pears, peaches or nectarines. You would have to adjust cooking times for preparing the fruit and possibly the sugar, depending on the sweetness of the fruit you would be using. Let me know how it turns out. Deb
From Donna Penn:
I saw the video associated with WRAL.com and printed the "Brava" steak recipe. At the bottom it mentions to "serve with Lazy Salsa (Salsa Huevona)", but I can't find the recipe on the site. A couple of the links I tried were broken, as well. Thank you for any info/help you can provide.
Hi Donna, Don't you just love technology. I went in and fixed the link to Lazy Salsa and it's listed under Soups and Starters. Thanx for bringing it to my attention. Deb
From bob:
On one of your shows you had recommended an Ice Cream Maker that I believe had 2 stainless containers that were easy to store in the freezer. Would it be possible for you to divulge this information so I can augment my kitchen gadgets.
Thank You,

bob
Hi Bob, We use a Cuisinart ice cream maker on the show. They make a 1-1/2 quart model (ICE-20) and a 2 quart model (ICE-30BC). Check out their web site for more information. Deb
From Cate:
Hi
I am wondering what type of range, cooktop, or oven you use in your test kitchen.
Thanks!
P.S. Good spot on WGN today
Hi Cate, We have the same range in the Test Kitchen as Rick uses at home. It's made by FiveStar. It has six burners with a built in grill/griddle and two ovens - one gas and one electric. FiveStar is also one of the sponsors of our TV show. Deb
From Jill Bushbeck:
Hi Rick, We're planning a Mexican Fiesta with our kids and grandkids. We'll have a pinata and good food. But, I'm stumped on what kind of music to play. Any suggestions? We really love the Mariachi music we hear on the show, but have no idea what to pick. ! Thanks for your help, Jill
Hi Jill, On our web site under the Television tab is our resource guide. We have some of the music we used for Season 6 of the TV show listed there. Sounds like you have a great party planned. Deb
From Wayne Singleton:
Rick,

What an great show. Please advise what brand of blender you use, that big red one. Thanks.

Wayne Singleton
Hi Wayne, The blender is made by VitaMix. We use it both in the restaurant and test kitchens and Rick uses it at home. Deb
From Richard:
I wanted to make the Chocoflan cake (Impossible cake). You specify a 10 inch, 3 inch deep pan. I've searched high and low and there is no such pan. Have gone to the Wilton website, no luck. Very frustrating when you have brought all the ingredients and plan to make the cake for company.
Hi Richard, It's available at Sur La Table either in their stores or on the web site. You can also find them in specialty bakeware shops. Deb
From hillary treadwell:

on the april 26th show on knme in Albuquerque you showed some growing pots
for the use on terraces.I am interested in finding out more about the product.the containers have a covering and water retention system.could you please send me more info.
thanks,
Hillary Treadwell

Hi Hillary,

The planting boxes you're referring to are Earthboxes.  I featured them last month in our newsletter.  For more information on Earthboxes, you can click on this link to their web site. http://www.earthbox.com/

Good luck with your garden.

Deb

From Gary Creason:

Rick, You have done a fine job of using that big red blender without me being able to discern the brand or model. My curiosity has peaked. If you don't mind telling, I would sure like to know.

Hi Gary,

The blender that Rick uses on the show is made by VitaMix.  We also use it in the test kitchen and in the restaurant kitchens.  It's well worth the investment.  Check out their web site for more information. https://secure.vitamix.com/acb/stores/4/?COUPON

Deb

From Rachel Douglas:

Where can I buy the large wok you used in your Mexican Paella with shrimp, mussels and chorizo recipe. My husband and I would like to try this recipe at our next gathering.

Hi Rachel,

The pan that Rick used in that episode is a paella pan.  It has a flat bottom as opposed to the curved bottom of a wok. You can purchase one through www.spanishtable.com or www.tienda.com. They have many sizes to choose from, so you can pick the size that works for you. 

Check out our resource page on the web site for more information on the other equipment Rick used on that episode.  Each show from this season has a section on this page to help you find some of the specialty equipment that Rick used.  http://www.rickbayless.com/tv/season6/resources.html

Deb

From Sara Jackson:

Where can I find the recipe for Roadside Chicken with knob onions? My husband & I are anxious to try it out! Thanks in advance.

Hi Sara,

That recipe is in "Mexican Everyday".  Now that the weather is getting better, this is a great recipe for breaking out the grill.

Deb

From Juli:

Rick,

I'm from Wisconsin and will be making my bi-annual pilgrimage to Chicago in August. It's exciting to hear that you are opening another restaurant (XOCO). Can you share the location/neighborhood so we know where to plan on dining?

Thanks!

Xoco will open in July at the corner of Clark and Illinois, right next to Frontera and Topolobampo. Xoco is a quick service place, specializing in wood-oven tortas (Mexican sandwiches). We'll also be open for breakfast. Hope this helps.

 

Rick

From abby1980:

come to dallas tx !!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Abby,

Great news, Rick is appearing at the Macy's Galleria store in Dallas on April 25th.  For reservations to his demo and book signing, call 866-226-0449.

Deb

From Stephany:

Hi again Rick...I wrote u a question about 10min ago about chocoflan & completely forgot to mention that I added 2 hass avocados to make the recipe interesting since my mother loves them! Could that have been the cause of all the problems?If so, is there a way to add ingredients to keep the avovado?

Hi Stephany,

All baking recipes are based on a formula of ingredients.  You can't add ingredients, especially in that quantity, without impacting the recipe.  The chocoflan is a very delicate balance of the lightness of the cake batter to the flan mixture.  There's no way this recipe can work adding any ingredients to the cake layer.  The cake layer would be so dense that the flan couldn't pass through.

Deb

From dennis:

Rick, I was wondering which one of your cook books would carry the most recipe's on mole??

Hi Dennis,

I would suggest "Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen".  It has 5 different styles of moles.

Deb