Mexican Made Easy — Season 3

In this episode, Marcela makes a menu that highlights four key culinary gifts that Mexico has given the world (corn, chocolate, avocadoes, and chiles) and shows viewers how easy it is to incorporate these into their favorite mouth-watering Mexican dishes. Like Easy Corn Tamales, fluffy and delicious...Mexican Chocolate Margaritas, with chocolate liqueur, cinnamon, and of course, tequila... smooth Avocado Flan with crunchy sweet corn kernels...and Stress-Free Salsa, cooked with two kinds of chiles.

Getting together for the 'big game' is an American tradition, but it's also the perfect time to serve up some hearty Mexican food. Marcela scores a touchdown with her friends as she has them over and serves up some Sweet and Spicy Short Rib Tacos, bubbly baked Manchego cheese with chorizo, Turkey Picadillo Sliders (a meaty Mexican sloppy Joe), and Spicy Clamato and Beer cocktails.

One of Mexico's most hauntingly beautiful and famous holidays is la Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Occurring at the beginning of November, Mexicans everywhere honor their deceased loved ones by preparing some of their favorite dishes. Here Marcela will host a party and serve up some rich and comforting dishes that remind her of relatives who are no longer with her. Like salmon baked in corn husks with mushroom rice, pork-stuffed chiles in a white walnut sauce, Baja shrimp sauteed in white wine, and a traditional pecan pie made with spiced Mexican chocolate.

One of the hottest food trends today is "Baja Med," the fusion of Mexican, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors pioneered in Marcela's home state of Baja. In this episode she gives us her own take on this movement with these delectable dishes: Shrimp Gobernador Tacos with shrimp, peppers, and tomatoes; Baja-Style Tuna Tartare with capers, olives, and sesame seeds; an original-style Caesar salad (which was invented in Tijuana); and figs cooked in a sweet syrup made from Baja wine and honey.

Marcela's favorite sous chef is her son, Fausto, and in this show she demonstrates some of her favorite kid-friendly recipes. She starts with a Morning Mexican Frittata made with eggs and plenty of cheese. Then Sweet & Easy Pineapple Empanadas, which are as fun to make as they are to eat. Crispy Turkey Mini Tacos are kid-sized and full of healthy ingredients. And Marcela's delicious sauté of zucchini and corn served in scooped-out zucchini "ships" are a fun way for kids to get their veggies.

Marcela gives some classic American Fall flavors a Mexican twist, with a fresh take on the season's favorite dishes. She injects tequila into turkey and uses it in her marinade to add a Mexican kick. Her potato gratin gets a unique smoky flavor from poblano chiles, while her pumpkin is glazed with traditional piloncillo sugar. She also makes Mexican Stuffed Mushrooms with bacon, creamy requeson cheese, and chard.

Marcela presents four sides that are perfect for any holiday menu, and easy enough to make anytime. First, brussel sprouts cooked in a sweet and spicy chipotle chile cream. Then potato croquettes filled with cheese and chiles and pan-fried until crispy. Next she mashes roasted squash and garlic into a sweet puree topped with sautéed apples. And then bakes yams and apples with marshmallows, finished with a delicious crunchy streusel topping.

There's no party better than a Mexican fiesta, and there are no foods better for celebrations than fiesta foods: panela cheese with chipotle cream, shrimp casserole with roasted poblano chiles, Mini chorizo and cheese quiches, and citrus tacos wrapped in slices of jicama instead of tortillas.

In this show Marcela cooks up some traditional holiday dishes for her large family to enjoy -- and viewers will too! -- Heartwarming traditional beef stew (aka "pozole"), Mexican Christmas salad with apples and walnuts, quick and easy coconut flan, and a warm winter tequila punch.

Marcela makes some of her personal holiday favorites, sure to catch on with her viewers: Cilantro-Avocado Mousse, Roast Pork With Sweet and Spicy Plum Sauce, Rice With Ancho Chiles and Pine Nuts, and a stress-free Mexican Chocolate Souffle.

In this show Marcela makes three Mexican bunch dishes that everyone will love, all of them a snap for any home cook: traditional "cowboy beans" made with chorizo and bacon; crepes with cheese and corn and topped with creamy poblano sauce; and cheese fritters dipped in Mexican hot chocolate.

Forget about fast-food burritos, heavy creams and fried tortillas, in this episode Marcela will show how traditional Mexican food is unprocessed and healthy, as she whips up four especially 'healthy Mexican" recipes: grilled steak tacos rolled in lettuce leaves; spicy shrimp broth with lime and cilantro; Mexican chayote squash with cool yogurt dip; and a citrus spritzer sweetened with agave syrup.

There's no reason to spend a lot of money to eat great food: Marcela will make four delicious Mexican specialties that are also budget-conscious: traditional meatball soup in rich tomato broth; Mexico City-style tacos with pasta and queso fresco; chicken with a smoky peanut-chipotle sauce; and Mexican chocolate bread pudding, made with leftover bread.