Recipes and Essays

Bourbon Pecan Pie Recalls Emma Tenayuca

Bourbon Pecan Pie Recalls Emma Tenayuca

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), […]

The Saucy Poetry Of Huevos Rancheros

The Saucy Poetry Of Huevos Rancheros

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, […]

Cranberry Rosemary Cocktail, A Native American Treat!

Cranberry Rosemary Cocktail, A Native American Treat!

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 […]

Tacos And 5 Holiday Gift Cookbook Ideas

Tacos And 5 Holiday Gift Cookbook Ideas

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, […]

Champurrado Holiday Drink — It’s “DeAquella/Awesome”

Champurrado Holiday Drink — It’s “DeAquella/Awesome”

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: Appetizer That Sizzles and Bubbles

Queso Fundido: Appetizer That Sizzles and Bubbles

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 […]

Smoked Turkey For Thanksgiving

Smoked Turkey For Thanksgiving

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 […]

Texas Mexican Holiday Menu

Texas Mexican Holiday Menu

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 […]

Pissaladière, a French onion tart

Pissaladière, a French onion tart

Perfect for Fall, this french onion tart is a must just plain delicious. Though the French lost out to the Spaniards in their efforts of empire-building in Texas, we nonetheless enjoy their lasting influence on our cuisine.  Our traditional wheat roll, bolillo, is French, as […]

The Real Story of Texas Mexican Food

The Real Story of Texas Mexican Food

Texas Mexican Food Event In San Antonio, Texas Texas Mexican food gained fame In 1800s when Texas Mexican business women ran outdoor diners, and their delicious cooking made San Antonio a culinary destination, tourists arriving via railroad.  These entrepreneurial women began to be called “chili […]