Food History

Bubbling Queso Fundido

Bubbling Queso Fundido

Bubbling Queso Fundido is sometimes called choriqueso (chorizo-cheese).  It’s a favorite throughout the Texas Mexican food region, which includes south Texas and northeastern Mexico.  I make it regularly, especially when unexpected company drops in. Just pop it in the oven and wait for it to […]

Tacos Al Pastor create a family fiesta!

Tacos Al Pastor create a family fiesta!

Tacos al pastor come to us as a Middle Eastern culinary tradition, the Turkish döner kebab being the earliest precursor. It became shawarma, in various spellings, in other Middle Eastern areas and gyros in Greece. Muchas gracias to the Lebanese community for bringing this delicious […]

Calabacita Con Pollo, Squash With Chicken

Calabacita Con Pollo, Squash With Chicken

I’m making the iconic Texas Mexican dish, Calabacita Con Pollo, squash with chicken, and I’m relating it to a dish from central Mexico, chicken poached in a garlic-cumin broth. It’s from the state of Hidalgo, in the central Eastern region of Mexico, the homeland of […]

Thanksgiving Cranberry Conserve: tangerine, ginger and sultanas

Thanksgiving Cranberry Conserve: tangerine, ginger and sultanas

Thanksgiving cranberry conserve, with tangerine, ginger and sultanas, is a delicious contrast of flavor and color that I think is really amazing with the seasonal cranberries.  I urge you to try it at your Thanksgiving meal.  I’ve adapted this recipe from one I read many, […]

Original Nachos – Recipe Created By Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya

Original Nachos – Recipe Created By Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya

The original nachos are Texas Mexican and were created by culinarian, Ignacio Anaya (nickname Nacho) in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, across the river from Eagle Pass, Texas.  It is a thoughtful, beautifully balanced combination of just three ingredients: corn tortillas, longhorn cheese and pickled Jalapeños. Anaya […]

Pepinos Del Monte – These Mini-Watermelons Are Staples in South Texas Cooking

Pepinos Del Monte – These Mini-Watermelons Are Staples in South Texas Cooking

I learned about pepinos del monte (wild cucumbers) from Homero Vera, a historian who is also a rancher in South Texas who showed me that they grow in his ranch and all over south Texas and northeastern Mexico.  They look like lilliputian watermelons. Known also […]

Texas Pecan, “Pacane,” Stuffed Mushrooms

Texas Pecan, “Pacane,” Stuffed Mushrooms

Texas pecan transforms these mushrooms into a tasty, crunchy treat.  Try making them for a virtual meet-up.  Stuff the mushrooms and hold them, then pop them in the oven so they’re ready for you to munch on and make your friends drool during  your next […]

Verdolaga isn’t a weed at all but a delicious, nutritous Mexican tradition

Verdolaga isn’t a weed at all but a delicious, nutritous Mexican tradition

Verdolaga, purslane in English, is the indigenous Texas Mexican herb that I love to serve for company.  It is my “go to” recipe for a delicious green side dish that goes with absolutely anything.  Verdolaga grows wild and is plentiful for most of the year […]

Quinoa Pancakes: From The Andes To My Griddle

Quinoa Pancakes: From The Andes To My Griddle

Quinoa pancakes, with whole quinoa seeds, perk up any stay-at-home morning.  With a delicious creamy texture, they have no eggs nor milk and they’re pretty quick and easy to make. Quinoa is a wake-up food, in the sense that it can raise awareness of how […]

A Mexican Tortillera in The Netherlands Braves Covid-19

A Mexican Tortillera in The Netherlands Braves Covid-19

Restaurants in Amsterdam were ordered closed by the Dutch government on March 16. It was a painful step, an effort to halt the spread of Coronavirus, and the financial devastation threatens to close some businesses for good.  “Tortillería Taiyari” is the only Mexican tortilla maker […]