On Food & Culture
Chef and Author Melissa Guerro identifies the Mariame Indians of Texas, the Comanches and others in the roots of today’s TexMex cuisine. Melded with the Spanish influence, this delicious cuisine is growing in importance. Like all cultural cuisines, “It can fix the world!” “TEXMEX CUISINE …
notes on cooking… a series of video shorts “critical thinking about food and its meanings” 3 minutes with a chef, filmmaker or food activist. The series covers trends in food pathways, food conglomerates, kitchens, farms, labor and entertainment. Issues about social justice and the cultivation …
This Mexican Salad, Ensalada de Bodas, has the beautiful flavor and aroma of Serrano (probably my favorite chile flavor) enveloping the tang of cabbage and radishes. Surprised that the vinaigrette has rice vinegar? Think about the Asian influence in that region. The Mexican salad is …
Gorditas YES! Perfect for parties as interactive food where guests can fill them with a variety of fillings. Vary the size and you can have either finger food or a sit-down meal. But here’s the misunderstood side: ingredients and methods for 1) flavorings, 2) texture …
Fair Warning: I shared these with a friend this afternoon. He bit into the cookie readily. Then I thought he looked perplexed.It is indeed an unusual blend of strong lemon and the savory aromatic basil. The recipe intrigued me when I first noticed the cookies …
Our link to Mexican Independence Day, September 16, is illustrated by this map that I’ve used in a previous blog. This land used to be called Mexico so we celebrate our past. But it also used to be called Spain. It used to be called …
The term, “refried beans” is a misnomer. The correct translation of the Spanish, “frijoles refritos,” is “well fried beans.” No fat required. Properly cooked beans and rice are a delicious meal.They’re also complete, nutritious protein. The recipes below rely on basic, straightforward technique. It’s the …
“Semiotics Of The Kitchen” by Martha Rosler is a wonderfully severe, humorous early feminist video about cooking. Part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art, the video is a performance by Martha Rosler who takes on the role of an apron-clad housewife and …
Enchiladas marked special occasions in our home. To understand them is to understand our community. I’m glad to share this recipe because its history makes it quintessentially Texas Mexican. I say this for two reasons. 1. It grounds us in our region. The discriminating blending …
Here’s a terrific dessert for your Summer dinner party. Although not native to the region, Sandía is a Texas Mexican staple, as any Mexican-American family will tell you. Watermelon (Sandía) and Mexican lime are a natural blend in agua fresca, of course, but the addition …