On Food & Culture
This video was produced by The Southern Foodways Alliance and screened at the annual symposium where I spoke about “The Art of Cooking.” Filmmaker, Ethan Payne, succinctly, visually, shows the differences between tex-mex and the Mexican food of Texas, an important distinction. Making this distinction […]
Enchiladas verdes is a recipe from my just-released book, “Don’t Count The Tortillas: The Art Of Mexican Cooking.” There are over 100 kitchen-tested recipes, including soups, botanas, tacos, cocktails and outdoor grilling. With history and cultural context, my latest book is a collection of both […]
Enchiladas Rojas are delicious, delicate and they are traditional. You can buy red tortillas at the grocery store, but I suggest you make some. You can make the red tortillas several days before and keep them in the fridge until you make the enchiladas. I’ve […]
Enchiladas Rojas are delicious and delicate. This red enchilada is perfect for romance and to say I love you. You can make the red tortillas several days before St. Valentine’s Day and keep them in the fridge until you make the enchiladas. I’ve said many […]
An enchilada feast marked special occasions in our home. To understand the enchilada is to understand our community. This classic Texas Mexican dish is made with Chile Ancho and Chile Pasilla, blended with oregano and other spices. Bottled “chili” powder is a new invention, a […]
Enchiladas are delicious and delicate. This red enchilada is perfect for romance and to say I love you. I’ve blogged before that to understand an enchilada is to understand our history and community. The tortilla is not a wrap for filling. It is the thing itself: […]
Enchiladas marked special occasions in our home. To understand them is to understand our community. I’m glad to share this recipe because its history makes it quintessentially Texas Mexican. I say this for two reasons. 1. It grounds us in our region. The discriminating blending […]
This New York Times story reports both histories: tex-mex and Texas Mexican. Both foods are good, they are just different, and it always makes sense to document the history of how food evolves. I offer my recipes for 3 that are mentioned in the story […]
In our south Texas and northeastern Mexico culinary region, pinto beans are the staple in native Mexican-American homes. No exceptions, not ever. I was amazed when, working in Chiapas, Mexico during my sophomore year of college, I encountered black beans. They were such a radical, […]
FOCUS ON HOUSTON: El Tiempo Cantina is the final feature in this 5-part series for diners who are looking for a unique Mexican dining experience. Houston is home to many fine Mexican restaurants, gracing every neighborhood of the city, but in this series I focus […]