On Food & Culture
I call this dish, Chile Serrano Scallops, although the inspiration comes from the French, Coquilles St. Jacques à La Provençale. Because I fiddled and deviated from the traditional recipe, I don’t use the traditional name. I like to keeps things clear. It’s not that I …
Roasted red chile dulce (bell pepper) is delicious with anchovies. It’s one of my favorite dishes. I discovered it when I was living in Manhattan, working at CBS news. It was a common appetizer in many Italian-inspired cafes that stay open ’til 3 am. In …
This pecan pie, with piloncillo and a bit of bourbon in it, tastes of celebration and abundance. I wrote about this on Thanksgiving day, and I share the recipe now in preparation for the new year. It’s delicious, full of memory and fun. Nueces (pecans), …
Poetry and food? Absolutely with Huevos Rancheros. First of all I love Tejano music, Norteño music. It’s just in my blood. Whether I’m driving or at my desk, when I hear a conjunto, a corrido, una polka, I instinctively want to stand up and twist, …
I served this cranberry rosemary cocktail at a party last night…..it was a hit! It’s a very appropriate cocktail because cranberries are Native American. This holiday cocktail combines tart cranberry flavor with the woodsy, herbal, rosemary. Based on last night’s tasting, it’s gives a sparkling …
A holiday gift cookbook is like a delicious taco de picadillo that has clarity and nuance. I use a molcajete for my taco de picadillo family recipe because it gives me control over texture and taste. I use the traditional Texas Mexican triad of spices, …
This Champurrado holiday drink recipe is lush, velvety smooth, and it’s all done with no milk or creams at all. The smoothness comes from the chocolate and nixtamalized corn masa blended together. I adapted this champurrado recipe from my book, Truly Texas Mexican: A Native …
Queso Fundido is sometimes called choriqueso (chorizo-cheese). It’s a favorite throughout the Texas Mexican food region, which includes central and 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 …
Happy Holidays. How about a smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. The turkey, guajolote, is native to Texas and Mexico. Over millenia, it was hunted by Native Americans for feathers, food and fashion. Some of the bones (the hollow ones) were fashioned into necklaces. It was also …
What a great evening we had last night in San Antonio, Texas! These chiles, tomates, hojarascas were all delicious. I want to share this “Texas Mexican Holiday Menu” with heartfelt thanks for the warm reception I received at last night’s event at the San Antonio …