So this very first all-by-myself post will just help you better get to know who the heck is writing this stuff.
I live in beautiful San Diego with my young son Fausto and my shih-tzu Yogo. I love food (obviously), traveling, Yoga, reading, being with my sister Carina and her girls, and have an unhealthy obsession with shoes. I grew up in Tijuana, Mexico and still cross the border into Tijuana a couple of times a week to visit my dad who still lives there. When I’m not traveling for work and am home in San Diego, I really just spend most of the time with my sister Carina, my brother Antonio and their kids. Maybe this is information best kept to myself but the truth is, I am my best, my very happiest, when I’m with my family. And when I’m not with them I’d rather stay home and read a book. To be completely honest, I need to work on being a little better at socializing.
People are always asking me what my favorite foods are and, surprisingly, my diet (and my son’s) consists of very simple foods. Local and seasonal ingredients lightly seasoned and grilled (be it meat, fish, poultry or veggies) are standard weeknight dinners at my house. Weekly visits to the farmer’s market with my boy (aka the rat, for future reference) are a must. He is an absolute Gastrokid (you must purchase this book by Hugh Garvey, he started at Bon Appetit Magazine as I was leaving for Paris.) He’s 5 and has a liking for sea urchin, octopus sashimi and salmon roe.
So this blog here is a little experiment. I want to know what you’d like me to write about. Mexican food will inevitably show up. So will my adventures as a single working mom feeding a kid with a palate of a 3-star Michelin chef. I’ll leave the dating part out because it makes me nauseous just thinking about it. I’ll let you know about the best places to get a REAL Mexican meal in town and which shoes I allowed myself to purchase to reward myself after signing some new contract.
I’ll be here, stuck on my computer as always, waiting for your feedback. Next week, the blog is all about my book Fresh Mexico; 100 simple recipes for true Mexican flavor (Random House) which comes out August 25th 2009. Hope to hear from you…Beso amores! Ciao!
Chela Felicidades en tu éxito!!!
Como Madre
Como Chef
y ahora
Como autora!
Well probably I am one of the first to comment, first of all I’ll like to say your not only beautiful but also talented as I know your work in the Culinary Industry in Tijuana, as I am a Native also of this welcoming City some of us are just plain proud to live at. Marcela, you forgot to mention you are the latest addition to the Hall of Fame in our Internaional Airport…don’t be so humble. Talking about food, I will like to see a recipie with Tequila and Oregano Shrimp with Cilantro Mousse or Cilantro Sauce, I don’t know! I just have it in my mind…what do you think?
Un Abrazo y un Beso.
What we want to see is you cooking on a video blog. Inspire us. We are eager to learn! At least I do. If the rat eats it, then I’ll eat it, my daughter will eat it and I should give it a try.
Looking forward to your book!
Marcela,
I am very excited about your new blog! And equally excited about Fresh Mexico. I am not sure if you will be doing east coast book events, but if so, please keep me informed. It has been way to long and I would love to see you. I am so thrilled for you!!! Congrats my dear! Chuck
SISTER!!! Congratulations on EVERYTHING!!! I’ve been hearing about your culinary dreams for about ten years now…it’s amazing to see you didn’t leave it at that…you made them reality!!! ANYTHING you want YOU can do…your heart is the biggest on this planet, your passion is to die for…and your goals (Manolos, Harvard for the rat, Harley for dad -you can throw some spa million dollar certificates for me) are ALL family oriented, and knowing you, because of that , YOU will accomplish them all in a heart beat!!! As I always have told you…the business you’re in is VERY ROUGH…but for you it will NEVER be…cause you know, at the end of the day, that before ALL that you had a perfectly beautiful life with a lot of people that would give their lives for you…so REMEMBER; you can take all the PUNCHES cause their is enough CUSHION for them to land on…
I LOVE YOU sweet sister, dearest best friend, amazing professional…you’re just a beautiful, beautiful human being…Carina
Marcela,
Felicidades y te deseo lo mejor con tu libro. Estare al pendiente de comparlo. No soy la mejor cocinera pero soy ama de casa asi que ser cocinera es parte del “job description”. Yo creci en Tijuana y que orgullo tener talento como tu.
Supongo que entre tus viajes andas por Los Angeles, vivo exactamente en Playa Vista a media milla de Marina del Rey, y me URGE saber de un restaurante Mexicano que valga la pena, amo las tostadas de carne deshebrada y ese tipo de comidas.
De nuevo Felicidades y andare aqui pegada a tu blog!
Gaby
Marcela!! Muchas felicidades por tu libro… YO LO QUIERO!!
Me encanto esta pagina, las recetas se ven deliciosas… soy fan del mole, las costillitas sin duda las voy a hacer.
Seguiremos al pendiente de tus logros!!!
Te deseo mucho exito!
What can I say???? CONGRATS. CONGRATS CONGRATS!!!!!! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!!!!!! AND A REAL INSPIRATION MY FRIEND!!!!!!
Just tried your carnitas from People mag. The best!! made them for my mom and her friends. Everyone thought they were delicioso. Making a pot of beans today to have with the leftovers.
Thanks
Macela muchas felicidades por tu exito, me da mucho gusto enterarme del los logros de personas mexicanas o latinoamericanas………. Me entere de ti a traves dede la nueva revista Infobaja, hoy 31 de agosto la lei, nada mas tengo una pregunta, me gusta saber de cosas y tener algo de conocimiento de la cocina aunque no me considero bueno para cocinar lo poco que cocina me sale rico………. Haces un comentario donde dices que el “gringo” cree que los platillos mexicanos son burritos y nachos “pobres vecinos”, mi duda aqui es la siguente: Los nachos son de origen mexicano?
Espero tu comentario o si alguien mas sabe que me avises.
Solo es una curiosidad que me genero tu entrevista.
Mucho Exito.
Marcela muchas felicidades por tanto logro, ve en donde estas ahora y de seguro lo que viene son mas premios por tanto trabajo. Aprovecho para darte las gracias por tu paciencia y amistad y por dejarme incluirme en tus cositas (clases, eventos, etc…) bueno ya estas, keep on blogging!!!!
QUE TAL MARCELA:
ME DA MUCHÍSIMO GUSTO QUE UNA MEXICANA TENGA TANTO ÉXITO EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS. TE FELICITO ENORMEMENTE Y DESEO QUE TE SIGAS SUPERANDO EN TODO LO QUE EMPRENDAS.
MARCELA:
PODRÍAS ENVIARME LA RECETA DEL CHOCOFLAN Y EL DE LAS MANZANAS HORNEADAS CON CAJETA?
MUCHAS GRACIAS Y QUE DIOS TE SIGA BENDICIENDO Y A TODA TU FAMILIA.
TU AMIGA, MARTHA CHAPA.
Hola Marcela,
Congratulations!! is great to know that we have someone that is puting the real flavor of mexican food out there. I am a very old friends of Myrna Pulido, and we were talking about you last night. We are planning on going to your book signing. I am an inspiring chef, after been laid off from law enforcement this past December, I concentrated in cooking, I started my own catering business in march, making my specialty fish tacos. I saw you in the throughdown with bobby flay, as a judge for mama testas fish tacos, well my fish tacos are way better hands down. Well I am looking forward meeting you, me and Myrna will be there.
sigue adelante,
Hector Casanova
hola marcela. antes q nada muchas felicidades por tu brillante carrera,te conoci en un evento de campaña en tijuana,donde realizaste una receta de cocina y yo q trabajaba para saverios,estabamos sirviendo algunos canapes. hace poco me hiciste favor de agregarme a tu facebook y sueño q algun dia me invites a tu programa o bien podamos en un futuro interactuar en algun proyecto,que por lo q veo como trabajas estoy seguro q ya estarás involucrandote en otro más. te reitero me admiracion y respeto y aunque no soy nacido en baja california,me siento como tal y me da mucho orgullo ver a todas las personalidades de esta region en el paseo de la fama,donde obviamente formas parte y haces q miles se motiven a seguir tus pasos. en hora buena. saludos y estamos a la orden.
Hola!
I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to incorporate Nori (seaweed) into any of your dishes? I’m looking for ways to incorporate it into foods for better health!
Gracias!
Joan
Welcome! So very happy for you and your new show on the food Network, I have been waiting for a long time to see a Mexican Chef on the show, What took them so long! and also I am looking forward to receiving your book.
Thank you!!!!
Hola.
Donde tu naciste ?, sucede que soy del surteste de mexico, de Oaxaca, aqui está establecida poca familia Valladolid, pero estoy haciendo investigaciones sobre ello.
Saludos y exito por tus proyectos.
francisco.
Marcela,
I love Mexican food and I am finally glad Food Network has you on. Unfortunately, since I live in California, your show only comes on at about 6am. I don’t see why they don’t replay it in the afternoon rather than replying other repetitive shows. I hope they change the time for your show because I really like to see your show at a resaonable time slot.
My Mom and sisters are just talking about your show and all the great cooking. I love to cook and if I don’t say so (my family does) I’m a very good cook. So just wanted to thank you for the show I cook Mexican food all the time and from scratch so I will making some of your dishes. I wish you great success with your show and your book.
Where is your show (food network) taped? I love the background of a beautiful city. Your show is fantastic!
Hola Marcela,
I have not seen your show, but i’m very excited to see it this coming weekend. I currently live in Dallas but am an El Pasoan, born and raised. I’m very eagerly to learn how to cook Mexican style, coming from a Mexican family, i’ve never really payed attention the way my mother cooked, and now been away from home for 10 years, i’m eager to start making the delicious moles, tamales, menudos, not tex-mex style. My family now owns a mexican restaurant, believe it or not, they are always busy, and i’ve never gotten the chance to really ask for any receipies. Therefore, i’m looking foward to watching your show, and your bubbly personality! Good luck with the show!
Hasta luego!
Great show and recipes…. Please stop talk with you hands like Giada on the Food Betwirj Show…it’s extremely distracting.
Thanks
I usually do not blog but I am really amazed at your show. I love it!!. I was too afraid to ask my mother-in-law to teach me to cook traditional mexican food. But in the few shows that I have seen I am learning and my husband loves it.. GREAT JOB!!!
My wife and I love your show. We are “gringos” but we like good Mexican food. We arrange our Saturday mornings around your show. We live on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. We used to live in Texas and Colorado where Mexican food is common. Unfortunately, the grocery stores here haven’t discovered ingredients for Mexican foods. We appreciate you telling what the common equivalents are to the Mexican ingredients that you normally use. We learn a lot when you give basic recipes and demonstrate techniques. For example, when you taught us how to make corn chips out of tortillas. I am planning on serving your Mole’ this week. Keep up the great work!
I love your show on sturday mornings Felicidades ya nos hacia falta una Mexicana en Foodnetwork,
my gilrls loved the bunuelos y la taquiza. sigue para adelante y nada para atras nowIneed to get back into meican traditional food.
Marcela,
I’ve enjoyed watching your show on Saturday mornings. I’m a big fan of mexican cuisine, and you bring a fresh approach that appeals alot to me.
Has your show been moved to another time? I went to tape it today, and noticed that your not on in the regular 9:30 a.m. time slot.
Hi Marcela,
I love your show! I was very disappointed to found out that your show is not on as every saturday at 9:30. Does it mean that the show got canceled?
Hi - It’s good to read such topical writing on the Web as I have been able to fiind here. I agree with most of what is written here and I’ll be coming back to this site again. Thanks again for publishing such great reading material!!
Hi Marcela,
Congratulations! Your show is a fresh new addition to the Food Network. I am making your Rajas recipe as we speak. The peppers are cooling right now. I am looking forward to the new recipes you will be preparing in the coming weeks. Best of luck to you. I can’t wait to get your book. Again, congratulations!!!
Hi Marcela,
I just love your show it’s so awesome! Congratulations and looking forward to the next episodes and
much more from you!
Hola Marcela,
Tal vez ni te acuerdes de mi pero te conoci hace unos anos en los angeles,yo soy de sonora y solo queria felicitarte,me da mucho gusto el exito que has tenido,que padre!!!!!!!felicidades otra vez!!!
I love your show, you made a leche cake where can I view that segment and is that recipe in your book, if not where can I find uour recipe.
Glad you will be back on.
I am a teacher and just began my summer break. I now have some leisure time so I watched The View this morning and enjoyed watching you. My nephew of eight years of age had told me about you in the past. He loves mexican food and loves your show. After watching you briefly on The View, I can see why. He told me that I need to start watching it on Saturday mornings but I could never seem to find the time. I will be adding you to my DVR schedule for recordings.
You mentioned on the show that we could get your recipes for the food shown on the show by going to The Food Network. I have been trying to find them for quite a while. Two things might be keeping me from locating the recipes. One might be my spelling of the dishes such as Surf and Turf Mochajitta. The other reason may be the fact that you were promoting your premier on January 23, 2010 at 9:30 EST. Could you please tell me how I might find these recipes on The Food Network?
By the way I look forward to your new season starting on June 5, 2010.
Thanks!
Sandy
Your Chocoflan was so wonderful. I am going to a party and was going to make this but was wondering if Bailey’s could be added to this recipe. If so, how would you suggest adding Bailey’s? Thank you
Hola Marcela
Felicidades! It’s about time they have a real Mexican cooking the authentic mexican recipes we grew up with. I am not a great cooker myself but I have been looking for Mexican recipes for the longest. I will be purchasing your book and look forward to cooking these great recipes. Dios te cuide siempre!
I wish your show was on later or repeated throughout the week like others on the network. Great recipes! I did watch the Fausto party episode but I do want to make what I hope will be a constructive comment. You use the term” nice and….” such as “nice and creamy”, “nice and spicy”, “nice and juicy”, (just examples). very often ! Watch that show and you’ll see what I mean. Once or twice would be fine. You are a great chef and I wish you continued success. Una Latina de Colorado.
I had never seen your show until today. I enjoyed the show very much. It was the show where you cook for your son’s 6th birthday. I was shocked when I heard that his name was Fausto because my son and husband are also named Fausto. How did you get the idea to name him Fausto? My son was extatic to hear his name on TV. LOL! I wish you continued success.
Marcela, congratulations on your achievement as a Chef. I met you about 12 years ago when I went to Tijuana to visit your sister, not sure if you still remember me from Panama. I am very excited to watch your show could you let me know the time (central time) so I can arrange to watch it down here in Panama. I am reading all your bio and recopies today.. I am so excited!!! Wish you the best…
Hi Marcela, just want to congratulate you for your hard work,love your recepies and I’ve been following your show and its amazing how easy you make it seem, I’ve learned a lot and just by following your recepies, I feel like trying your recepies all the time, I love your show,We feel proud of you,wish you the best.
Hi Marcela,
I like your show. You bring a great Mexican flare to your recipes. I would like to know what brand of cookware you use on the show.
Thanks.
Hey Marcela
Love your show ,it’s great that they have a Mexican cooking show on food network with an authentic
Chef that knows the ways of Mexican cuisine . Keep up the good work and say hi to fausto. We are looking forward to watching your new episodes. It would be wonderful if you opened up a restaurant or cafe. We are located in south orange county and would travel to San Diego or los Angeles to check it out and support the only Mexican American chef that we have been able to appreciate by food network recognizing that it was overdue! Felicidades y buen suerte !
Hello,
I Love Your cooking show, I watch it as much as possible.
Have a good day! Eugino
I’m so glad you’re on the air! I decided not to be a chef, but my grandmother was a classically trained saucier and I’ve spent all my spare time in the kitchen since I was 5. As far as I’m concerned, you’re one of the few fundamentally sound chefs on the food channel. I love your show. Keep it up!