Recipes and Essays

Chipotle Cherry Tomatoes Pop With Tang

Chipotle Cherry Tomatoes Pop With Tang

Greet springtime with bite-size chipotle cherry tomatoes. Pop ’em into your mouth for a blast of bright flavor: tart, smoky herbal. Thesy make great appetizers as well as additions to dishes of grilled vegetables and meats. Chipotles are ripened jalapeños that have been dried and 

Roasted Salsa Ranchera Adds Depth of Flavor

Roasted Salsa Ranchera Adds Depth of Flavor

Salsa ranchera is truly a cornerstone of Mexican gastronomy. This roasted salsa ranchera version has an earthy, smoky taste that makes it perfect for spring cookouts, accompanying roasted vegetables, meats and fish. There are also boiled and fried versions, and of course, the original fresh salsa 

Capirotada, Bread Pudding Takes a Twist–with Garlic And Cumin!

Capirotada, Bread Pudding Takes a Twist–with Garlic And Cumin!

Capirotada bread pudding is a delicious, beloved Texas Mexican traditional dish. But cumin and garlic? They were never part of any capirotada bread pudding recipe I had ever tasted. Certainly cilantro, pecans, piloncillo, cheese.  So I really perked up when Laredo-born artist, César Mártinez, told 

6 Takes On Tacos In Texas

6 Takes On Tacos In Texas

Writers who examine, probe and dig into tacos always have a point of view, a starting point that comes from their personal history, and their ancestry. When they write or scribble their taco stories, they straddle and stride from somewhere between a totem and a 

“Truly Texas Mexican” Debuts on Amazon,  Apple TV,  Google TV

“Truly Texas Mexican” Debuts on Amazon, Apple TV, Google TV

“Truly Texas Mexican,” the documentary film about Texas borderland cuisine, starts streaming this week on Amazon, Apple TV and Google TV.  It will also be broadcast on local PBS stations. A production of JM Media, LLC, the 90-minute movie is shot in south Texas along 

Pan De Campo – ¡Viva El Rancho!

Pan De Campo – ¡Viva El Rancho!

Pan De Campo is a core, “mero mero,” rancho tradition in south Texas and northeastern Mexico.  Historian Homero Vera lives in Premont and in Sarita, Texas, and documents South Texas, Northern Mexican history and culture. It was in his monthly magazine, El Mesteño, that I 

“Truly Texas Mexican” Official Trailer

“Truly Texas Mexican” Official Trailer

Today we are so excited to share with you the “Truly Texas Mexican” official trailer and to invite your comments and reactions.  The movie premieres on March 1st on Amazon, Google TV and Apple TV. And..on local PBS stations, so call your local PBS station 

Saffron Garlic Shrimp – My Tapas Memory of Madrid

Saffron Garlic Shrimp – My Tapas Memory of Madrid

Saffron Garlic Shrimp is a way to recast the iconic tapas, Gambas Al Ajillo, with the addition of saffron, generally known as the unique ingredient used in paella. The shrimp and seasonings are bathed in the Mexican tomato that Spaniards began importing in the 1500s 

Bean and Green Chile Burrito

Bean and Green Chile Burrito

San Antonio filmmaker Laura Varela told me that this Bean and Green Chile Burrito is her favorite. It conjures memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas. “We’d walk across the bridge to a restaurant in Ciudad Juarez, and my dad would always order it,” 

Champagne Holiday Punch

Champagne Holiday Punch

I made this champagne holiday punch last night for Christmas Eve, shared a pic online, and have received many requests to share the recipe.  So here is the recipe in case you want to try it for New Year’s Eve, to brighten your celebration. I