On Food & Culture
Squash Blossoms abound here in Spring and Summer. Not surprising since the squash is native to Mexico where the flower, Flor de Calabaza, has many delicious uses in tamales, quesadillas and soups. The Europeans fell in love with them and were delighted that this little …
This story is another about delicious foods that evolved when foreign, imported products (pork) encountered the natural terroir (chiles) of Mexico. Chorizo is the creative culinary result of imported pigs meeting the local chiles. It’s famous, of course, as a breakfast treat but it is …
Thought I’d share the menu that I served for a catered party last week. The conversation around the food revolved around history, our place in it and why it is that Texas Native American food is so much like Mexican food. I’ll start uploading the …
I love this dish. For a dinner party or luncheon you can time it so that it comes out of the oven as your guests are ready to eat. The aroma will send your olfactory glands aflutter! Visually it ain’t shabby either. This culinary beauty …
I coined the phrase, “Paula Deen of Tex-Mex” in order to prompt debate and discussion about high fat, bad taste and diabetes. I will not be naming any Tex-Mex award recipients but rather asking you the question: what would be the criteria for such an …
I was asked to create a signature cocktail to celebrate Southwest Airlines‘ initiation of flight service to the Atlanta region. I created this red jalapeño champagne cocktail that incorporates red jalapeño jelly for an unctuous mouth feel, and a light bite. A champagne cocktail always …
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 is of course the …
Dominga Medrano, my mom, was an excellent and creative cook who every Holy Week would gift us with Capirotada. Our kitchen overflowed with aromas of cinnamon, cilantro and piloncillo and even now I can see her face serving us this bread pudding on Good Friday. …
Sopes are a part of the Texas Mexican, Coahuiltecan, cuisine that exists in the region outlined in yellow is one of at least 12 related regional cuisines in the larger geographic area that extends from San Antonio/Austin/Corpus Christi, TX, down to the Yucatán. (1) Our …
Ejotes Con Achiote is a beautiful way to prepare green beans or haricots verts. The achiote brings out the sweetness and astringency of the orange juice and Jalapeño infused into the green beans. Again, here is an example of how chiles are used not because …