Recipes and Essays

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 

Chile de Arbol Salsa

Chile de Arbol Salsa

When you want an aromatic salsa on the table, use this Chile De Arbol.  Its flaky and fiercely tasty. Native Mexican, of course, its flavor is very mild, a bit similar to that of the Serrano.  But unlike the Serrano, chile de arbol is used 

Mexican Candy Made by White People Only

Mexican Candy Made by White People Only

WHAT? The Mexican candy advertisement above is from around 1915’s -20’s. The candy shop was owned by Clyde Corrigan, according to Sarah Gould archivist and researcher at Institute Of Texan Cultures in San Antonio, Texas.  It is discussed in the book chronicling segregation of Mexican-Americans, 

Green Salsa Serrano en Molcajete

Green Salsa Serrano en Molcajete

Green Salsa, Serrano chile,  is a  classic Texas Mexican table salsa.  If you’re from this region, send me an email or comment about how you’ve savored this in your home. Amá (we did not use the Spanish word, mamá) always had this salsa on the 

Rajas Poblanas Con Queso

Rajas Poblanas Con Queso

Rajas Poblanas with cream are most often served as a side dish with your meal.  In this recipe some cheese is added at the end.  The dish makes a great appetizer for company.  With rajas Poblanas you mix the earthy flavor of Poblano chiles with 

Traditional Mexican Salsa:Serrano And Tomato

Traditional Mexican Salsa:Serrano And Tomato

Three native ingredients make this traditional Mexican salsa a delectable culinary heritage:  tomato, chile and salt.  Each provides important nutritional elements, and the combination is, well, fresh and delicious.  There is much to be said for simplicity. My mom, amá, made this salsa everyday, using 

Serrano Shrimp Cocktail

Serrano Shrimp Cocktail

Depart from the usual shrimp cocktail sauce and go Texas Mexican.  Use Serrano chile, cilantro and fresh lime juice. This delicious Serrano shrimp cocktail is reminiscent of the famous Mexican Campechana cocktails in Veracruz, Yucatán and along the Pacific coast, especially in Sonora.  Usually, it’s 

“Chicano 40”- Watermelon Cocktail With History!

“Chicano 40”- Watermelon Cocktail With History!

“Chicano 40” is a refreshing watermelon cocktail, the official signature cocktail celebrating the 40th anniversary of the San Antonio CineFestival the nation’s original and longest-running Chicano/Latino film festival.  Not your ordinary watermelon cocktail, “Chicano 40” is complex and bright, created by Jeret Peña, acclaimed mixologist 

BBQ Adobo — Chile Ancho Adobo

BBQ Adobo — Chile Ancho Adobo

A BBQ Adobo?  Here’s a unique Texas Mexican twist for your smoked ham, bbq ribs or brisket: Chile Ancho Adobo. An adobo is a specific type of puréed chile that is blended with herbs and spices.  An acidic ingredient lifts the flavors.  All adobos depend