Originally posted by Kalypso
KPBS here in SD is set to air epsidoe 3 this afternoon at 3:30 pm, which would be in 15 mintues in real time
I've seen the first 2 episodes and I have very mixed feelings about this...for a lotta reasons. It is way beyond cool to see Tijuana, Ensenada, the
Valle de Guadalupe on TV, and they are pretty photogenic. I also think the shows will generate some much needed business for the places that are
featured, and probably by association other businesses. That said, there is - for me - a huge disconnect between the first half the show that features
RB out and about in Baja. The 2nd half of the show is in his home kitchen and it just feels really forced to me. His daughter is prominently featured
in the home segments and she's just really annoying. So I've enjoyed the first half of the episodes I've seen so far, but not the second half. YMMV
(Your milage may vary)
(Okay, snark warming)
I should probably qualify this and say that I actually know RB and have cooked with him several times over the last 10 years and I own all of
his cookbooks. In that time I've seen a (not surprising given his fame) marked change in him. Additionally, I am aware of several incidents that have
happened here in Baja (some during filming, some before) that belie his good old boy demeanor; they've kind of tainted my opinion of him. RB has done
a phenomenal job of introducuing the American audience to Mexican food beyond tacos, burritos, enchiladas and tamales. But I think Mexican chefs (not
just in Baja) have, and are, finding their own voice and it will be powerful.
Danaeb...Everyday Mexican is a very good RB cookbook to own. The recipes are easy to follow and the results is usually very, very good with them. He's
taken a lot of the time consuming parts of the recipes out but still manages to get tastes, textures and flavor profiles that are very close, if not
identical, to the original time consuming dishes. |