Robert visits a Latin restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri that is trying to move on without their resturant's namesake "Poco". She passed away from cancer, leaving her two feuding daughters and a husband to continue to live her dream. They have struggled to do so. Robert arrives to help them get things going back in the right direction.
? Problems Robert Had to Address
Here are the issues Robert had to fix in this episode.
- An uninspiring decor
- Two fighting sisters
- A kitchen staff that is not staying true to the founder's recipes
- A kitchen staff that does not respect the daughter (the new owner)
? Lesson for Home
I know some people are against recipes. Think they do not need them. But it can be good to use them or even re-visit them over time. It's our natural to take short cuts or to forget things over time. The quality of a dish we cook over and over again could decline over time if we get lazy in the process. It's good from time to time to bring back out that recipe card, even if you think you have it committed to memory. I have a lot of Alton Brown recipes a part of my rotation. I find it helpful to re-watch some of the episodes from time to time and I have been able to pinpoint occasions where I was missing a step or not fully executing the recipe as I am capable of.
?️ The Recipes
Pork Chops with Apple Bacon Salad | Click here for the recipe
These pork chops take an overnight soak in an orange juice brine. They are then seared and served with an apple and bacon salad.
Pulled Pork Burritos | Click here for the recipe
Nothing out of the ordinary here (but that isn't necessarily a bad thing). The pulled pork is made from Boston butt and is slow roasted in the oven, at a low temperature for 2 to 2 ½ hours.
Follow-Up
As most restaurants that are on this show, Poco's saw a spike in business after Robert left. So that doesn't really say much. But what I was please to hear is that a recipe book has been made in order to better train the staff on how to make Poco's dishes - the way she would have - the way the customers loved.
I found a lot of reviews about this place online. Most of them were pretty positive with only a few negative ones in the midst. People are loving the food. Even before Robert came they were more positive than negative comments.
Hopefully with better instruction in place the inconsistencies in the food won't be an issue anymore. But I have to wonder if there is another thing holding this place back. Even at the start of the show Robert didn't ripe on the food as much as in other shows. I am interested to see how this place does long term.
If you want more Robert Irvine recipes, here are some of his available cookbooks:
This cookbook contains 111 recipes many with complete timelimes and several that are gluten free. An example of the kind of recipes you will find are Lime-Cured Shrimp and Roasted Corn Chowder, Porcini-Dusted Pork Chops with Cremini Mushrooms and Golden Raisins over Horseradish-Scented Potatoes.
In this book Robert shares his personal stories (including cooking for First Lady Laura Bush) and cooking philosophy. There are also recipes to be had like Black Angus Beef Tartare with Toasted Brioche and Fried Quail Egg, Roasted Duck with White Bean Ragout.
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