I took a $200 cooking class in Mexico City, here's what I learned.

► Support my work on Patreon: / ethanc
► Cooking class I took: www.casajacaranda.mx/
As someone who loves to eat and learn about cooking, I splurged in the best way possible. A cooking class at Casa Jacaranda in Mexico City
$200 is a lot of money, the amount of knowledge I learned, food I ate, and an overall just really enjoyable day, it's money well spent for what I love doing and it's experience that I want to share with all of you, so I'm going to cover the cool things that I learned
To give you a rough overview of the day, we started with a tour of mercado de medillin where we met various vendors and learned about ingredients, next we stopped at a local tortilleria, before heading to casa Jacaranda to prepare our meal of tamales, manchamanteles, tortillas and sopes.
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MISC. DETAILS
Music: Provided by Musicbed
Filmed on: Sony a6400 w/ 18-105mm F4
Voice recorded on Lav Mic
Edited in: Premiere Pro #CDMX
Research Sources:
Affiliate Disclosure:
Cook with E is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

[@PapaBearCDXX]

So it started at 10am in the market and ended with a rooftop dinner... that amazing experience far outweighs a truckload of touristy souvenirs. Awesome video, stay safe and keep uploading videos so I continue living vicariously through them.

[@EthanChlebowski]

Yep! About 10:00 am to 5:00 pm in total. A full day of learning, eating and cooking food is exactly what I love to do. You are spot on. I'm cramming in a bunch of filming this week with some recipes I'm excited to share. More on the way.

[@rx65m]

@@EthanChlebowski I would like to tell you that most of your pronunciation in Spanish is great! I really appreciate your effort to do it correctly. Allow me please to make you a very kind suggestion about Mercado Medellín, which name is the same as the beautiful Colombian city: Medellín (Spanish pronunciation: [meðeˈʝin] or [meðeˈʎin]). The Spanish letter Elle (Ll) do really sounds. Very similar, almost the same to the sound of the G in Gym. Thank you for so lovely video about your fantastic cooking class.

[@BrandonCastillo-yt2iv]

That was a great day for 180 dollars

[@EthanChlebowski]

I completely agree.

[@ieroine]

to me is quite expensive tbh but hey I’m Mexican and I can walk around and ask my grandma about those things so it’s free

[@titchyASSASSIN]

@@ieroine let me just go to my Mexican grandma that I don't have

[@ieroine]

@@titchyASSASSIN you can always visit someone’s else grandma they’re very friendly and love to talk about their life

[@ericktellez7632]

@@titchyASSASSIN Hahahahahaha damn that made me laugh

[@etherdog]

Your enthusiasm is infectious, Ethan! Looking forward to seeing some of the recipes and techniques you learned.

[@EthanChlebowski]

Thanks John! I'm filming some new videos this week (poblano con queso tacos, nopales escabeche, authentic enchiladas) Can't wait to share them!

[@SVELTEGreenMan]

In some parts of Mexico, the type of flavor or color in the mole depends on the state. In some places, mole has a more spicy flavor, more chocolate flavor, or sweet flavor. And something interesting is that in some places that do not have a blender they use the more traditional Metate that a type of long mortar. As a Mexican its actually nice seen an american that actually values the real cuisine of Mexico and it isn't afraid to try it. You won a new subscriber

[@saulgarcia7083]

We'll said 😀

[@user-vu2yb1gy4l]

My favourite mole is mole Xiqueño (:

[@inglewood826]

as a half mexican, it really brings happiness to my heart that u got to learn all these recipes. im mexican(dad) and salvadorian(mom). My mom had to learn how to make mexican food for my dad but she isnt a good teacher, shes not good at explaining things so everything ive learned about cooking is from youtube. im 24, i cook for my bf & sometimes family. Still need alot of learning to do but its so fun to experiment and try new things. I think its so cool u got to learn and have such a good day. Food connects us to all people, makes us love eachother and care for one another. god bless u always

[@Luemsa]

I learned a lot about chiles and my country in this video. Saludos desde México.

[@joshdelreal626]

So cool to see how it’s done traditionally in that area of Mexico. Can’t wait to see you make some more videos of what you’ve learned! My wife uses a lot of dry chiles when making salsa, sauces and pozole etc. definitely a game changer from just using normal jalapeños and serrano chiles.

[@EthanChlebowski]

Glad you enjoyed. Finished filming up some videos today, so more on the way this week. Dried chiles are definitely a big step up towards making better food IMO!

[@trishriccardi262]

Ethan this is wonderful! I was born in Mexico City but my father was transferred to work at Wall Street when I was a little girl. Now I’m trying to learn how to cook real Mexico City food, so I’m eternally grateful for your channel. God willing, I will be going to Casa Jacaranda in the post covid near future.

[@TheKad33]

$196 Mexican cuisine cooking course - “A ton of money to be spending” $140 Patagonia Sweater Jacket - “There’s a small draft in this room” 😂

[@b.o.4469]

Completely different things though.

[@jadejaguar69]

I'm so happy for you dude. That money was well spent I could tell

[@pyyrr]

Ay U catching up too?

[@amnotonlyserch]

Love how you called a single one “tamal” I really cringe when they call it “tamale” You got a new subscriber 👏

[@pastagoodness9449]

Isn’t tamale the correct?

[@rx65m]

@@pastagoodness9449 Nope. The Plural is Tamales, the singular is Tamal: Dos tamales; Un Tamal.

[@pastagoodness9449]

rx65m woah ur smart

[@Zenboy23]

@@oopsadaisy6067 No, just pronouncing the word as it should be.

[@vikli5966]

Oops Adaisy correcting someone’s grammar mistake is gate keeping, I guess

[@David_T]

Great shout out to Dianne Kennedy's "Cuisines of Mexico". What a classic cookbook.

[@Pterygotus]

After recently spending a couple months in Mexico you helped clarify some things I was wondering about. The price seems a little high for a one day class in Mexico, but it certainly looked like a great experience!

[@jonathanjones5617]

Hey Ethan, great summary of the day! Thanks for reminding me of some things & good hanging out with you. JJ

[@EthanChlebowski]

Glad you enjoyed man, good cooking and hanging with you too.

[@elviejodelmar2795]

*Just a bit of historical background from 30 years in Mexico with a Mexican wife and family. Every neighborhood has -- and pretty much still has -- a tortillería. All of the neighborhood women would gather there every day to buy fresh tortillas for the lunch meal (comida) which is eaten around 3 p.m. Papa would come home from work and the kds would be out of school by then and the family would eat together. Papa would then go back to work at around 5 p.m. and come home 7 or 8 ish for supper or cena -- where the family would have a light meal together. There was also a molino -- or mill -- in about every neighborhood because there weren't food processors in every house. Women would gather all of the ingredients for mole and take it to the mill to be ground. They would then take it home, add the stock and produce the mole.

[@JoshuaFortuna]

Heck yeah! I love the guys at Casa Jacaranda! My wife and I went BACK to the mercado for the Yucatán salsa.

[@marieguterman515]

Ethan, I love, love your videos. It's so authentic and not coming from a native Mexican born but from a North American, wow! I congratulate you for taking the time and money and interest in learning our cooking as well, kudos!

[@cerberus6654]

Ethan, that was just such a good video! Thanks.

[@ButtercupBusyBee]

You are a joy to watch.. this channel is awesome! I have really enjoyed recreating many of your recipes at home 😄

[@victorramirez9986]

Ethan, I love your enthusiasm and curiosity for food. I share your passion for Mexican culture and appreciate all of your practical tips. I have been making tamales for over 30 years and can agree that there is nothing more simple and basic to Mexican cuisine. It is a grail food and l am still searching. Thank you for your videos.

[@TheLoyalOfficer]

Wow - this is really helpful. Thank you!

[@4.0.4]

Dude you had like 80K subs the other day. You're going places with this cinematic quality of video editing.

[@InstigationMex95]

Just subbed. My youtube algorithm is finally working it seems.

[@es2056]

I look back at all that my mother taught me about Mexican cooking and I figure it is worth tens of thousands of dollars. You got a bargain sir.

[@johnmendoza6345]

amazing images of the food and ingredients.. definitely stoking my appetite

[@maxkill1231]

thank God for inventing mexico and it's food, great video man 👍🇲🇽🔥

[@MikeKocal]

I was fortunate to have taken the same class on my first day in CDMX and was so grateful to have had the experience. I learned so much and was able to visit several of the suggested restaurants there. I had so much fun and met great people. I recommend it as well. I actually would like to take the class again someday.

[@santana898989]

I love taking cooking classes. I've taken them in Thailand and Colombia, but since Mexican food is my favorite, I would love to have gone where you went. Thanks for this. I hope to see more. Cheers.

[@MrAscetic23]

Great video as always!

[@EthanChlebowski]

Much appreciated!

[@brettster3331]

Ethan, watching you as you cook makes me hungry, and I want to make everything you are showing; you have such a nice presentation to your videos, Thank you.

[@thestonecanoe3159]

Thank you much just Ethan, you put me on to a whole new world. Mexicto City is on the bucket list

[@izaskuncaro5662]

Looking forward the next videos of this series

[@KenNakajima07]

Thanks for showcasing mexican true cuisine! Gracias!!! BTW you've nailed down the pronunciation of everything even tamal, ending in L as it should!!!

[@mice-elf]

Muy bien! Buenos consejos!

[@666dianimal]

Thank you so much for sharing what you learned!! Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada :)

[@lilagarvin6722]

Wow Ethan, I see you as a very serious guy on your videos. But on this video you were smiling almost all the way through. I could tell you had fond memories of this day. Thanks for sharing.

[@Trollface21381]

I fucking love ethan bro u grew from 10k to 200k+ keep striving!

[@mitchellshubert2590]

Unique video! Great stuff

[@EthanChlebowski]

Thanks man!

[@aleksandarslavnic1067]

Really cool man , you awesome

[@justgivemethetruth]

Nice video. Gracias!

[@kilianstarzengruber6835]

I connect that music way too much with Babish... OOF

[@crunkky8736]

Lmao same. Caught me off guard

[@josephmartelmusic]

@@crunkky8736 Same haha

[@mihirb867]

its just music

[@mario14th]

Homie uses babish and wissemen music

[@hurhurhurhurhruhrurh]

@@mario14th it’s the generic copy right free music they all use

[@octopusfly]

Brilliant!

[@vayasalsa]

Please make videos on the recipes in this upload. The quick glimpses looked amazing!

[@hoodyk7342]

Nixtamalization was used by the ancient Aztecs, it was one of the only ways to make corn have nutritional value and they would have starved to death without the process, very interesting and important part of history!

[@anz121brb]

Aight, time to subscribe. Awesome video! Saludos (:

[@roadrunner123]

Very cool. I did not know that a chipotle was a dried jalapeno! I love the smokiness of chipotle and chile morita.

[@Lavender_FGC]

I forgot that I had to wander Mexico City by myself once to find food for my vegan mom who randomly got sick while we were visiting (she was living in Monterrey at the time) and I stumbled across Mercado Medellín!! I bought some really good vegan soup with I think with chickpeas in it (don't remember what it was) and a bunch of tacos for myself from a really nice lady that gave me some free horchata haha. Didn't even know it was a semi-famous mercado!

[@clintonjones955]

Good Job, ETHAN ...when I was down there (1970s Querno-Vaco and Tula) I learned that Mexico City was an island that is sinking over a foot a year and that the Aztecs name translated into 'Mexicas' ...the 'round faced' people are MAYAN ...I wanted to go see the 'Nasca-Lines' in Peru but got stuck taking a boat North The pyramids at TULA are a testament to the TOLTEXs ...an ancient tribe over 20,000 years old (pre-Columbian) I carried the Spanish book "EL CAMINO REAL' with me down the Pan American Highway with my girlfriend for almost a year (hitchhiking) and came back with more money than I left with (Tucson, AZ) The people are beautiful and endearing beyond any necessity You have all of my admiration that you could film and share your experience

[@fernand0167]

Great video.

[@chunkz1187]

I wish I had known about this cooking class when I was in CDMX! I stayed in Av Nuevo León near Parque México and Casa Jacandra is like a 5-10 minutes from there in Roma Nte

[@kristinwright6632]

Regarding the molcajete, I have one, and for making fresh salsas and guacamole to me it is worth the space in my kitchen just for that. Don't underestimate the seasoning that comes from the lava rock. But! I try to keep my crazy down in my kitchen and hearing you say don't pound with the molcajete, I laughed. Oh boy. It is obvious from the design of the

[@er297553]

No wonder! I was watching your videos and noticed a lot of Mexican influence with legit ingredients. I was pleasantly surprised! This latina is impressed. 😉

[@mikahist4155]

fantastic video.

[@byroncarson3018]

Get your ass home and make us a Mole video!!!! Great stuff. Thank you for your videos

[@sbo3]

Great video. I watched it and thought hey I'm going to treat myself to one of these near me, was about to google it and remembered...oh right, there will be none running right now. Covid sucks

[@russellfreeman9772]

Great start, waiting for your take on individual recipes,, how did you decide on this cooking school, I wish to go, after this darn virus is gone.

[@TheRausing1]

What an experience ! Seems completely, totally worth the money to me, but that’s just my opinion. I’d sign up for this tomorrow

[@JohnDoe-xo2yf]

Now i want to go too

[@rothn2]

Never used salsa in my tamales. Will have to try that next year!!!

[@qualqui]

COOL Upload you have here Ethan! And although I'm Mexican I didn't know of the detail you explain to us, that a green chile poblano when dried is known as a chile ancho and when completely ripe its called a chile pasilla. Said this I hope you were able to try a chile relleno made with a chile pasilla, the flavor is SO GOOD! Not to downplay the chile relleno made with a fresh green chili, but the taste is unique. Thumbs up, thanks for sharing and greetings to you from Querétaro! :)

[@isaiastinoco3303]

My guy I learned a lot 🤣 and I'm Mexican .. I don't cook much but I eat plenty. Thanks for sharing.

[@Scozzie]

Cascahuin is delicious tequila! Hope you enjoyed it.

[@ezequielruiz4392]

I just had tamales before this and you’re right, I don’t know who would want a dry tamal (the ones I had were pretty dry) Edit: Although, I’m not sure if I would automatically like it better than a dry one because that’s what I’m used to.

[@EthanChlebowski]

I've had some dry ones with minimal sauce and it's just not the same for me. I like the moistness and the flavor from that sauce!

[@chaoticsoap]

LOOOOOOOOUD INTRO!!!

[@satchelhamilton8631]

Lol I'm from Texas and I've been using dried chillies to make curry for years.

[@hugosapien3705]

A gordita (literally, a "chubby" or "fattie") refers to the tortilla. It is called a gordita because it's thicker (fatter) than a tortilla. They can be filled with many "guisos" (stewed preparations).

[@williampena197]

The main difference between a gordita and a tlacoyo is that a tlacoyo is a pointy oval mostly found in central and southern México, usually the dough is wrapped around the ingredients. A gordita Is thick a slightly smaller tortilla that has a incision on side like a hot dog or a bun and can be stuffed with a variety of things, while a gordita is mostly found in central and southern México It can sometimes be found in Northern México. I hoped that clarified it a little.

[@Mukawakadoodoo]

I hope you can do a traditional mole sauce recipe one day and show us how to do it step by step.

[@lilbtyt7928]

he made tamales just like my mom from talxcala because he whipped the lard to peaks which many recipes dont mention. growing up i didnt like spicy so she just made me prok and panela tamales so thats still my favorite but i like rajas and chese too.

[@altairsegundo7082]

Oh my god I can’t believe you said nixtamalizacion 😱 you did your homework very well boy

[@Soldier957]

I want to do this!

[@poppat3238]

Love the channel and the content. Just a small correction on your pronunciation. You're pronouncing, "TORTILLERIA" as Torteria which is the name of a place that sells Tortas. Tortilleria is pronounced, "TOR-TEE-YEH-REE-AH". Keep the videos coming brother.

[@kristinwright6632]

I keep a lot of dried chiles in my pantry. I love to make chilis that use chile sauce rather than tomato sauce. As far as I'm concerned if I'm out of chipotle meco I have to go shopping. All other chiles I just jazz it. Gotta have the chipotle meco for a meat based chili.

[@Rampage4635]

We desperately need that tortilla recipe

[@Amoradamian]

Tor-tee-ge(hard sound like J)-reea

[@andbuitra]

"Medillin" Is actually "Medellin", one of the main cities in Colombia and you can actually see the Colombian flag being waved on the clip that introduced Alberto. If my suspicions are correct that would mean that Alberto is actually a "paisa" living in Mexico City; you may have found his accent to be a little different from the rest of the people. Great content!

[@jafersorianocamargo6723]

Sí, es ciudad en Colombia, pero recuerde que todos fuimos colonias españolas y los topónimos que nos dejaron fueron antes de provincias o lugares en los reinos que hoy componen España. El mercado de Medellín sí ha alojado (precisamente por esta relación) a muchos de los paisas que llegan acá al chilango. La historia del nombre del mercado no es muy compleja, su nombre oficial es Melchor Ocampo pero por su ubicación en la calle de Medellín se le apoda así y ahora es mejor conocido por su apodo. El mercado antes del terremoto del 85 era un mercado kosher, con el terremoto los tenderos kosher se fueron y entraron más vendedores caribeños, principalmente cubanos. Sí se venden productos tropicales y subtropicales pero no exclusivamente.

[@mespinei]

@Andres Not really - Mercado Medellin is the market in Colonia Roma/La Condesa, one of the fanciest colonies in Mexico where most tourist are taken to. It is called "Mercado Medellin" because it is located in the street Medellin. It's the market where expats shop basically, this is why they took him there. Most Mexicans would find this market overpriced and would prefer other ones.

[@myfavoritethings6433]

@@mespinei he explained that the market is in medellin street.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

@Jafer Soriano Camargo Rude.

[@user-vu2yb1gy4l]

@@anti-ethniccleansing465 why rude? He is telling the truth. I am mexican from Mexico City, born and raised. The name of the market is because of the street name, not because of Colombia

[@amber3171]

Ethan I love your channel. You've made me a better cook. Thank you! What is the name of this song?

[@mesmer1218]

Anybody that travels to Mexico to learn the cuisine, has my deep respect. So many Americans have such a misconception of Mexican food. They have no idea of the complexity of Mexican cuisine and the dramatic changes according to state and region. I heard one gringo day, “ Oh, Mexican food is just a variation on tortillas, cheese, chiles, and sour cream!” Our culture and our food is so misunderstood. I can tell you, when an American like you expresses interest in our food and culture, there’s a bonding that takes place. I’m glad you’re doing this, Ethan. I wish more people were open to exploring other cultures and their cuisines of regular people, and not only the Americanized versions.

[@cerberus6654]

After living in Mexico City for five years in the 90's I completely agree - Mexican cuisine is, for me, as magnificent as French, Italian and Chinese cuisine. I live in Canada and I miss, almost daily, good tortillas, queso de Chalco, huitlacoche and carnitas. I remember eating the most delicious trout in a restaurant up in the mountains near Las Tres Marias on the way down to Cuernavaca. And pozole - made by my friend from Michoacan. And a rabbit stew I ate once San Luis Potosi in a very simple restaurant. Gorgeous country, lovely people. My heart is still there.

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

Yup, $200.00 well spent! Wish I could have been there.

[@JoseMartinez-df2db]

Gorditas can be made with many ingredients that you use for tacos. The varieties are endless.

[@NoHandle44]

I also took a $200 cooking class. The teacher did most of the work.

[@no-ot2ov]

if yall wondering why its so cheap, this is in mexico, so 200 is a little under what the average mexican makes in a week

[@nml5536]

he looks blazed

[@erninoherminio6629]

😲 the market is called Mercado Medellín, like the Colombian city. Good place to buy her se and spices. And to eat delicious Colombian recipies. 🌮🌶🍲

[@accordingion]

The pestle part is called a tijolote.

[@jonferre]

money spent in Mexican food is always well spent : )

[@mema2055]

STEVE BAYLES TOOK SAME CLASS AND NOW, OWNS TWO OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN NORTHAMERICA

[@JoseMartinez-df2db]

I've had many many many tamales including tamales dulce but the regular tamales always have meat, cheese, beans, rajas but never just salsa.

[@MrFreddytl]

Looks like you really enjoy this food xd as a mexican i feel so glad about it idk why they put pineaple in to mole ._.

[@alexanders.4544]

I hope this is a thing later I want to take this class

[@thisnamesbetter]

Say it with me Ethan, Meh-deh-yeen.

[@gutierrezaguilarianalberto4186]

I thought it was 200 mexican pesos hahahahaha. ¡Nice video man!

[@Discotraxx16]

awww tortillas my dad has over a dozen tortillas per meal.

[@KRAPOTKIN791]

It is not a rule that the Tlacoyos should be only blue corn and the gorditas With yellow corn, both can be taken from both types of corn. The Gorditas can be filled with an infinity of stews, not only with chicharron and they can be fried or not fried. Believe me I think you still have a lot to learn so I think you would have to spend a long time in Mexico to learn, whenever you like you will always be welcome👍😁

[@EthanChlebowski]

Beto described them to me as typical options, but pointed out there will be plenty of variations to them which I witnessed in my time there.

[@KRAPOTKIN791]

@@EthanChlebowski well then I think you should explain it like this in the video because you imply that there are only these options of tlacoyos and gorditas. Thanks for answering

[@EthanChlebowski]

@@KRAPOTKIN791 I did in my street food video. This was very early on in my time in mexico.

[@KRAPOTKIN791]

@@EthanChlebowski Yes, I know but I say so in case there are people who only watch this video. They are going to keep the idea that only exist and have to be this way.

[@samiragandhinunuvera788]

Maybe he ment that a real tlacoyo must be made with real nixtamal instead of tortilla or Maseca like many people do.

[@GeneCst]

Love the video, great content as I am also learning to make the sauces... But I swear Alberto is either Argentinian or from somewhere else, not Mexican. Am I right?

[@markiangooley]

Tried using a food mill rather than a blender? It’s great for catching skins and seeds. More work, of course. Cheaper to buy, various advantages and disadvantages...

[@LouieFlips]

3:21 😂😂😂Sacas!!

[@sandrashaw6298]

Are you learning Spanish? I encourage you to do so! You obviously enjoy Mexican cuisine, so you’ll have a leg up as your Spanish gets better and better, and you’ll improve your communication with local chefs. Good luck!

[@tcoco3797]

Ah yes, Mexican cuisine could not exist before Vitamix blenders :)

[@okty8372]

So true !

[@lazmotron]

$200...that's a great deal, well worth it.

[@Thomas5k]

Goddamn, I really wanna go to Mexico.