Photo by: Todd Plitt ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Todd Plitt, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Marcela Valladolid's Bio

Growing up around expert and traditional cooks in Tijuana, Mexico, Marcela was raised to be passionate about food, and she jumped straight into a culinary life with her first job working at her aunt’s cooking school in Baja, Mexico. Marcela realized she, too, wanted to pursue this growing love for food full time and enrolled in the Los Angeles Culinary Institute. She then went to the Ritz Escoffier Cooking School in Paris to become trained as a classical French pastry chef. Marcela later returned home to run a catering company and teach children about the culinary arts in Tijuana, all while collecting recipes and applying her knowledge and skills of her family's cooking traditions to map out her dreams. She successfully translated her culinary knowledge and passion to the small screen as the host of her own Food Network series, Mexican Made Easy, which premiered in 2010. Wanting to share her expertise on great Mexican food that combines freshness and flavor with kitchen ease, Marcela published Fresh Mexico: 100 Simple Recipes for True Mexican Flavor (Clarkson Potter) in 2009 and Mexican Made Easy (Clarkson Potter) in 2011. Marcela lives in San Diego with her 9-year-old son, who often doubles as her sous chef.

Most Popular Recipes

All Recipes by Marcela Valladolid

Beer-Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak

Beer-Based Bloody Marys

Arroz Rojo

Goat Cheese Squares with Raspberry Chile Chutney

Sauteed Potatoes with Chorizo

Mexican Chocolate and Date Fritters

New York Steak with Roasted Garlic and Ancho Butter

Sweet Strawberry Tartlets

Pico de Gallo

Pecan Caramels ("Glorias")

Mexican Meatball Soup

Poblano Rice

Baja Lobster and Mango Salad

Mexican Cucumber Martinis

Cafe Mexicano (Spiced "cafe de olla" coffee)

Adobo-Rubbed Chicken

Chicken in Green Pipian Sauce

Tequila Peaches

Roasted Pork Loin with Pineapple Glaze

Chicken in Peanut Sauce

Baja Style Fish Tacos

Chilaquiles with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

Mexican Frittata

Jalapeno Roasted Chicken with Baby Broccolini

Baked Cheese with Chorizo

Crunchy Garden Salad

Salmon in Corn Husks