REDISCOVERING LOCAL FLAVORS
Some flavors linger in our memory, evoking a place, a space, and a moment.
These flavors are not only perceived on the palate but also conjure landscapes, climates, and collective memories that define a region’s identity.
Recipe inspired by the Eastern Cape region. Together with Chef Raúl Soto, we embarked on a journey to rediscover the flavors of Baja California Sur.
A journey that connects cuisine, territory, and tradition, where each ingredient tells a story linked to the desert, the sea, and the communities that inhabit them. This time, the adventure began in the town of La Ventana, Baja California Sur. Visiting local orchards and farms allows us to connect with the producers who work these lands every day.
Producers who preserve practices inherited through generations, respecting natural cycles and strengthening a local economy based on environmental stewardship. On this trip, the chef decided to create a dish that pays homage to the brush rabbit, an endangered species once prized by the Pericúes and even enjoyed by the first ranchers who settled in these lands.
This tribute seeks to keep alive the memory of an ancestral relationship between humankind and its environment, understanding cuisine as an act of respect and historical awareness. Today, farm-raised rabbits from the town of Miraflores are used, raised, and fed organically and traditionally.
This ensures responsible production that honors tradition without compromising wildlife conservation. As part of this recipe, which the chef called the “South Baja Californian Rabbit Burger,” he incorporated pan bache, a regional bread made by hand primarily in the towns of Caduaño and Miraflores.
This sweet bun, sometimes dusted with sugar, is believed to have originated with Franciscan missionaries who once administered missions from San José del Cabo to Cataviña. Its inclusion reinforces the deep connection between history, territory, and everyday gastronomy—an approach increasingly celebrated by chefs shaping the future of Michelin Star Restaurants in Los Cabos 2025.
To accompany the rabbit, a marinade very similar to local bacon was prepared.
This preparation revives traditional preservation and flavor techniques deeply rooted in the ranch cuisine of Baja California Sur. A toasted red chile, ground and preserved only with salt, is added, along with an incredible missionary vinegar, handcrafted in La Purísima, BCS, regional oregano, cumin, cloves, and a red wine vinegar also made in La Purísima. The rabbit meat is marinated in this exquisite marinade.
The result is a precise balance of intensity, aroma, and flavor depth. The base of bacon jam includes one of the recipe’s great secrets: a touch of coffee from a coffee bag, which lends a bitter note, along with small pieces of piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and a few drops of wine vinegar. This combination creates a sweet-and-sour fusion that is simply explosive for the taste buds.
It’s a blend of rustic and sophisticated flavors, awakening contrasts that surprise from the very first bite.
Imagine the spiciness and acidity of the marinated rabbit paired with the sweetness of the jam, the softness of aged cheese, and the warmth of pan bache baked in a clay oven. These textures and flavors merge into a sensory experience deeply tied to the landscapes of Baja California Sur—precisely the kind of authenticity travelers seek when exploring Foods to Try on Your Cabo San Lucas Vacation. For travelers inspired by this culinary journey, experiencing Baja California Sur goes far beyond the plate. From local kitchens and traditional ranch flavors to the Best Casual and Hotel Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas, the region offers an extraordinary gastronomic scene that blends authenticity with refined hospitality. To fully immerse yourself in these flavors, there’s no better way than staying close to the heart of it all. When you come to Cabo San Lucas, Lifestyle Villas – Cabo San Lucas vacation rental provides private, comfort-driven villa services designed for travelers who value space, privacy, and seamless access to the region’s food culture, landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
The final result is simply sublime. There’s no doubt that the diverse fusions that can be achieved with the native products of this region are wonderful. Taking culinary journeys that allow us to experience the gastronomy alongside the landscapes and, above all, the warmth of the people who inhabit these blessed lands is one of the most incredible gifts we can give ourselves, and even more so to enjoy it with those we love most.
To learn more about these gastronomic trips and discover more about the flavors of Mexico, we invite you to watch the full recipe episode of the AREWA series for free on the WAHU platform at the following link:
https://wahu.mx/cinema/details/2319f074-e191-4cce-8901-a0f59343c89d