Embarking on a culinary adventure in Oaxaca, Mexico, I found myself immersed in a world of vibrant flavors and rich cultural heritage. The journey began with a local cooking class that promised not just a lesson in traditional Mexican cuisine, but an intimate experience of the region's heart and soul. From the moment I stepped into the bustling market to gather fresh ingredients, I was captivated by the aromas of exotic spices and the colorful array of produce. The excitement continued as I joined a group of enthusiastic food lovers, all eager to explore the secrets of Oaxacan cooking under the guidance of a skilled chef. Together, we delved into the essence of Oaxacan cuisine, creating unforgettable dishes and memories.
The Experience
Your culinary adventure will kick off with a tour of the vibrant Mercado "Sanchez Pascuas," where Chef Oscar introduces you to an array of essential ingredients that will elevate your cooking session. Upon returning to the restaurant, you'll don an apron and find your chosen station, ready to begin your journey into the heart of Oaxacan cuisine. Under Chef Oscar's guidance, you and your group will master 12 distinct recipes over three immersive hours, working together to create each dish. An on-site assistant ensures a seamless process and beautifully plates your creations. Once everything is prepared, you'll gather around a stunning tablescape to savor the fruits of your labor, sharing the meal with your fellow cooks while enjoying mezcal and cervezas, as is tradition in Mexico.
The Chef & Casa Crespo
Chef Oscar Carrizosa, owner of restaurant Casa Crespo, has been in the food industry for 20 years and is inspired by not only his mother who also had her own restaurant, but by the diverse culture of Oaxaca. Oscar shared that there are 16 different ethnic groups that all have various cuisines native to their region. He has spent a good portion of his life traveling through the state of Oaxaca picking up recipes and also inviting natives from their villages to his restaurant in hopes of learning their cuisine and techniques.
At Casa Crespo, Oscar often teaches recipes using ingredients that are commonly found and easy to recreate in the comfort of your home. There are two classes that are offered daily along with private classes as well. Have allergies or food preferences? This is not a problem as Chef Oscar will set aside special ingredients for you to make your dish personalized. You can also dine as a guest at Casa Crespo and enjoy pre-hispanic dishes following recipes of the Mayans and Aztecs.
The Food
You will be making dishes that are native to the state of Oaxaca and some that are recipes of Oscars mother. Here is what was made during my cooking session:
- Tamales de flor de calabaza (pumpkin flowers tortillas)
- Nixtamal
- Tortillas de masa fresca (fresh dough corn tortillas)
- Chiles pasilla oaxaquenos rellenos de picadillo (pasilla mixe peppers stuffed with picadillo)
- Heladao de chocolate oaxaqueno (oaxacan chocolate ice cream)
- Helado de Elote (sweet corn ice cream)
- Mole bueno
- Salsa verde curda (raw green salsa)
- Salsa de jitomate (roasted tomato salsa)
- Guacamole
- Sopa de lentejas, tocino, platano macho y pina (lentil soup with plantain, pineapple and bacon)
