From roadside stands to four-star restaurants, the iconic Mexican taco has become an American favorite with an incredible past and brilliant future. Invented more than 3,000 years ago, you might say tacos are the original comfort food-simple and satisfying, a holy trinity of tortilla, meat, and salsa. Jeffrey Saad takes us on an incredible journey to find the finest tacos in the country. Fish, beef, chicken, pork...and bugs?!?
Between great food and good manners, Charleston, S.C., has a lot to brag about. "Holy City" used to be its nickname, but these days "Hungry City" is just as appropriate. Chuck tastes the best of Charleston's rivers, farms, oceans and marshes where they all converge on King Street. At The Grocery, Chef Kevin Johnson roasts softshell crab and fresh asparagus in a wood-fired oven. Chuck discovers the Lowcountry classic Frogmore Stew at Chef Michelle Weaver's elegant Charleston Grill. At Butcher & Bee, Chef Stuart Tracy shows Chuck how to make a sandwich with chorizo and guacamole and then it's off to Glazed for gourmet doughnuts filled with local goat cheese, seasonal berries and lavender glaze.
In Savannah, Ga., Michael Symon finds a food truck serving up two can't-miss creations: cheeseburger tacos with a house-made beer cheese sauce and a Jamaican jerk fried fish taco with mango salsa and cilantro sour cream. In Seattle, he tries an enormous bone-in pork chop brined for six hours and fired on a grill. Finally, in Phoenix, a smoked lamb sandwich with homemade mint sauce is made by a chef who loves her smoker so much that she's even smoking brownies.
It's all about keeping up with the latest food trends when the Finalists first create and photograph their own version of tiny foods, and then create a five-course meal where each course corresponds to a buzzword. The Kitchen's Sunny Anderson and Geoffrey Zakarian join Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay to decide which Finalist failed to trend.
Michael Symon's parents are in the kitchen, stirring up memories and Mom's best recipes. First up, one of Mama Symon's specialities: Italian Braised Beef with Root Vegetables and Rigatoni. On the side, Greek Feta and Cucumber Salad. For dessert, another Greek classic: Baklava. Did Michael behave as a child? Can the Iron Chef keep up with Mom on her signature recipes? Tune in to find out!
Turkey may be the most versatile of the New World critters, but for some crazy reason, we only roast it at the holidays. Alton Brown puts an end to that with three turkey recipes we should be making year-round.
Italian brothers Nicola and Fabrizio Carro enter Kitchen Stadium to take on Iron Chef Michael Symon paired with Chef Michael Psilakis. Will the brothers take down the Michaels with their classic cuisine, or will Symon and Psilakis wow the judges with their paired dishes? Tune in to see whose cuisine reigns supreme!
Making delicious, flavorful sandwiches is an essential skill that every home cook needs to know. Nothing wins over guests and friends like super, homemade deli treats, packed with bold flavors and ingredients. Using her slow cooker, Kelsey will turn turkey breast into a tender Roast Dip With Melted Gruyere. Then she'll take some inspiration from one of her favorite places to eat, New Orleans, and fry up some golden shrimp for a Cajun Po' Boy. Fried Green Tomatoes are an essential ingredient for her fresh and tasty BLT with sweet basil mayo and crispy pancetta. Finally, a pressed Picnic Sandwich with roasted red peppers and pepperoncini spread is the perfect sandwich if you're on the go.
Andrew Zimmern explores beautiful Martha's Vineyard, the island community located off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that is renowned for its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches and fresh seafood. He celebrates some of the best restaurants and dishes featuring the fresh, local catch brought in daily. On the menu are lobster rolls, a clam bake, swordfish steaks, fired clams and stuffed quahogs. And for dessert, there's an irresistible tart made from local fresh cranberries.
A little ghostly inspiration is all Alton Brown needs to turn a handful of peanuts into some seriously good eats. He makes Boiled Peanuts, Roasted Peanuts, Peanut Butter Pie, Boiled Peanut Soup and Homemade Peanut Butter.