Seven years ago, Rick Martínez left New York City for a 20,000-mile road trip across Mexico, seeking to reconnect with his roots and capture the diversity of the country's regional cuisines. He never left. The journey resulted in the chef's James Beard award-winning cookbook, Mi Cocina, and a new home in the coastal city of Mazatlán, known for its fresh seafood and bountiful mercados. 'Pineapple, papaya, mango, coconut all grow within a mile of my house,' he said.
Martínez, who has since published a second cookbook, Salsa Daddy, recently opened Rick's Cooking School, a series of virtual classes where the former Bon Appétit editor teaches how to make a perfect birria, chile relleno, and pipián, live from his own kitchen. 'I make a point of telling people, 'I want you to feel like you're in my kitchen with me,'' he said. 'It's been really fun.'
Essential Tools for Mexican Home Cooking
Comal: The Must-Have Griddle
Martínez swears by a comal, a thin, lightweight griddle that heats up and cools down quickly. 'I had regular griddles and cast-iron pans but no comals until I moved to Mexico,' he says. The 13.5-inch diameter comal fits seven corn tortillas or four large flour tortillas and is perfect for toasting dried chilies, charring vegetables, and making salsas. He recommends the Ancient Cookware Mexican Carbon Steel Comal, available at Milk Street Store for $69.96.
Masa Harina for Perfect Tortillas
For homemade tortillas, Martínez prefers Masienda's heirloom corn masa harinas. 'I've eaten tortillas all over this country and some really excellent heirloom corn varieties, but Masienda's yellow, red, and blue corn masa harinas are so flavorful,' he says. They capture the taste of good Mexican heirloom corn. The product is available at Masienda for $32 (originally $40).
Molcajete for Guacamole
Martínez insists on using a molcajete, a volcanic rock mortar and pestle, for guacamole. 'I don't know why, but to me, guacamole tastes better – or the texture is better – if I mash and mix it in a molcajete,' he explains. He owns several, but his favorite is the one his grandfather gave him when he was 19. The Masienda Molcajete is available for $95.
Incorporating Mexican Flavors
Canned Chipotle Adobo Sauce
Martínez calls canned chipotle adobo sauce 'liquid gold.' Adding it to dishes imparts a long-simmered flavor in minutes. He recommends La Morena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, available at Amazon for $5.36 for a pack of two.
Pickled Jalapeños
Pickled jalapeños are versatile cooking tools. The brine seasons soups and stews, and the peppers can be used on pizza, nachos, or fish tacos. Martínez suggests La Costeña Nacho Sliced Pickled Jalapeños, $6.12 at Amazon.
Dried Chiles
Essential dried chiles include guajillo, ancho, pasilla, cascabel, and morita. For heat, he recommends chile de arbol, guajillo, and ancho. Many are available at major grocery stores or from Duals Natural in New York.
Pantry Upgrades
Colima Sea Salt
Colima sea salt, from the Pacific coast of Mexico, is incredible. It's available at Amazon for $19.99.
Piloncillo
Piloncillo, a type of unrefined cane sugar, has a phenomenal flavor that has transformed Martínez's baking. It's a great substitute for brown sugar, with notes of coffee, chocolate, butterscotch, and caramel. Use a cheap grater to grind it. Badia Piloncillo Brown Sugar Crust is available at Amazon (currently out of stock).
Fresh Manteca (Lard)
Fresh lard adds rich flavor and has become Martínez's cooking oil of choice. He buys it from a couple in Mazatlán's mercado, where it still contains pork particles, giving it a nutty, caramelly taste. In the US, he recommends Mexican or Latin butchers.
Long-Lasting Kitchen Appliances
Vitamix Blender
Martínez's Vitamix A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender has been heavily used for six years without issues, handling chiles, nuts, seeds, and even nut butters. It's available at Amazon for $489.
John Boos Cutting Board
His John Boos walnut cutting board is durable, beautiful, and perfectly sized for efficient workflow. The dark wood has a calming quality. It's available at John Boos for $239.95.
Choosing Quality Knives
Martínez's favorite knife is the Miyabi Birchwood SG2 9-inch Chef's Knife. He checks balance by seeing if it rests evenly on one finger. 'If the handle or the blade is noticeably heavier, you're going to feel that over time,' he says. This knife is remarkably well balanced. Available at Zwilling for $419.99.
Reducing Kitchen Waste
Martínez uses a Vitamix countertop food recycler to turn waste into mulch for his plants. It takes about three hours and avoids the roaches and smells of traditional composting.
Tableware for Presentation
He loves oilcloth tablecloths for their bright, colorful, and fun aesthetic. They instantly lift the visual appeal of food. He also uses blue peltre enamelware for serving spoons and plant saucers. For ceramics, he admires Hacha's contemporary pottery, with dinner plate sets available for $2,720.
Favorite Nail Polish
Martínez wears gel CND nail polish in neon colors. His current shade is neon orange, applied by a neighbor across the street. CND Nail Polish is available at Beyond Polish for $17.49.
