“Truly Texas Mexican” Dishes Help Raise Money For Libraries

One of the pleasures, honors really, that this book has brought me is to be able to help raise funds for libraries.  Last month the L3 committee of dedicated volunteers raised funds for the San Antonio Library Latino Resources Center. The glittering evening was amazing and so meaningful because it will help the San Antonio Library for generations to come.

Next week I will be in Abilene, Texas, invited by the Friends Of The Library, for a book signing event and a gala dinner, black tie, that will feature four Texas cookbook authors.  It’s a privilege to join the other authors, whom I admire, and help the Abilene Library.  It will be held at the Abilene Country Club.

I thought I’d share the menu that the chefs of the Abilene Country Club have decided to prepare for the black-tie gala.  The chefs pored through the hundreds of recipes in all four cookbooks and selected the following dishes to prepare, serve and pair with Texas wines. I’m looking forward to this marvelous gala dining experience.  Signing my book will be in the context (as it always is) of interesting conversations and sharing of varying perspectives.

WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL COOKBOOK GALA
September 25, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.
Abilene Country Club – 4039 Treadaway Blvd.

MENU & WINE PAIRINGS

℘ ℘ Hors d’ Oeuvres
Polenta Rounds with Cheese, Chive Pesto, and Red Pepper — Pastry Queen Parties
Ancho Chile Meatballs — Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage in Recipes
Landon Sparkling Red Moscato
Lost Oak Blanc du Bois

℘ ℘ Dinner Menu
Soup: Sopa de Lima — The Homesick Texan’s Family Table: Lone Star Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours
Traditional Pairing: Yellow Rose, Landon Winery
Daring Paring:   2012 Chenin Blanc, Becker Vineyards

Salad: El rancho Chopped Salad with Cornbread Croutons and Creamy Poblano Dressing — Pastry Queen Parties
Traditional Pairing: 2013 Vermentino, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
Daring Paring:   2013 Provencal Becker Winery

First Entrée:Crab Cakes with Chipotle Yerbaniz Mayonnaise— Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage in Recipes
Traditional Pairing: 2012 Viognier, Becker Winery
Daring Paring: 2012 La Reina Tempranillo, Red Caboose

Intermezzo:
Watermelon Ice with Blueberries — Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage in Recipes

Second Entrée: Jalapeno Pesto Stuffed Pork Roast with Orange Asparagus — The Homesick Texan’s Family Table: Lone Star Cooking from My Kitchen to Yours
and Purple Chipotle Garlic Mashed Potatoes    — The Texas Holiday Cookbook

Traditional Pairing: 2012 Dawson Red, Lost Oak Winery
Daring Paring: Riesling, Landon Winery

Dessert:
Capirotada — Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage in Recipes

Traditional Pairing: Port Style “Some of that Red”, Red Caboose
Daring Paring: Besitos de Chocolate, Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards