On Food & Culture
My Essay on Cultural Poachers Cultural Appropriation in the Food Industry The comida casera, home-cooking of Texas Mexican American families, has been appropriated by commercial cultural poachers who in the process harm both the cuisine and the community that created it. I use the term, …
Pissaladiere tart will brighten up your stay-at-home days. These bites are small, but mighty, a real flavor blast and a nod to French cuisine. Though the French lost out to the Spaniards in their efforts of empire-building in Texas, we nonetheless enjoy their lasting influence …
Make your own chipotles en adobo with this delicious combination of herbs and spices. Sometimes you have to use the canned versions, I know, but at least once savor this natural, amazing Mexican creation. My recipe makes about 20 chiles in a sauce so delicious …
The traditional “A La Mexicana” style is the tricolored combination of tomatoes, onions, and chiles—the colors of the Mexican flag. Straightforward and nutritious. Papas A La Mexicana is a staple in south Texas and northeastern Mexico, the Texas Mexican region. I adapted this recipe from …
Jicama and strawberry? Qué? I get skeptical looks about that combination whenever I suggest it, but the crunch of jicama melds beautifully with softened strawberries. Jicama is native to Mexico and Central America and tastes a little like a water chestnut and maybe also a …
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 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 …
NALAC Statement: Black Lives Matter 06/04/2020 We bear witness and mourn for the continued violence against yet another Black life at the hands of police, and we speak from the deepest impulses of our hearts to uplift Black Lives. We are enraged by the blatant …
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 …
Tortilla soup is nutritious, and allows a family to stretch a chicken over several meals. With 6 grams of protein per cup, the chicken stock in this recipe can be used to make three meals for a family of four. Covid-19 means we have to …