On Food & Culture
Basil Bruschetta normally says “summer,” here in Houston, but when the basil in my little winter green- house surprised me by growing luxuriantly, I had to taste it, so I winter harvested some. The flavor is very mild, but it’s perfect just after the tamales […]
Everyone knows that menudo is the official breakfast you have after a long night of revelry, and any will swear that it is the perfect cure for a hangover. For our family it marked the joy of Christmas and New Year, for there was always […]
Holiday Mexican sweets are all about memories for me. Whether you bake alone or with your siblings and friends, I recommend that you make at least one of these holiday sweets. It’s a part of life that you’ll enjoy now, and you’ll take those memories […]
The Malt House of San Antonio, Texas was demolished in May, 2018, and it’s a sad story, but I find also an optimistic story. The sad part is that we’ve lost an architectural treasure that the grassroots community strove to preserve. The optimistic part is […]
Last night I dreamed up this roasted cascabel chile shrimp recipe, with an underlying hint of anise, because I did not know what to cook, worrying about the immigration debacle happening at the Tijuana-San Diego border, with so many families fleeing death threats and torture […]
I made these stuffed artichokes last night as we watched the US elections. Maíz (corn) is mixed with fresh herbs that are wonderfully aromatic. By adding a bay leaf to the water when you steam them, you’ll add another level of nice aroma. Just a […]
Here’s my ratatouille recipe, following fairly classic lines of vegetables and extra virgin olive oil, keeping close to traditions of Nice and the Provence region. Served with seared scallops and steamed baby bok choy, this is a healthy, delicious dish. I cut back on the […]
As a native Texas Mexican, I was delighted to encounter the authentic, iconic, Spanish pasta dish, fideo, on a recent visit to Chef Luis Roger’s BCN restaurant in Houston. I took the first bite and it immediately brought up memories of another authentic, iconic fideo, […]
This fish fry menu includes a rich sauce and a salad. Fish fry is traditional in the southern US, although the actual frying technique, well, not so recent. The Spanish brought it with them “Between A.D. 900 and 1500 most Native Americans living in Texas […]
I decided to reprise my recipe for Spanish Sangria because it makes a great fall party punch. Spanish Sangria originates, of course, in Spain, “sangría” deriving from “sangre,” meaning blood. The correct spelling uses an acute accent: sangría. The blood-red wine punch became popular even with […]