Recipes and Essays

“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 […]

Habanero Rum Pecans For Christmas

Habanero Rum Pecans For Christmas

Habanero rum pecans / Nueces Con Ron y Habanero, somehow fit this Christmas Covid moment because although they’re everyday pecans, the rum and habanerio give them a special bite that is celebratory. Both the nut and the word pecan are Native American. European immigrants were […]

Calabacita Con Pollo, Squash With Chicken

Calabacita Con Pollo, Squash With Chicken

I’m making the iconic Texas Mexican dish, Calabacita Con Pollo, squash with chicken, and I’m relating it to a dish from central Mexico, chicken poached in a garlic-cumin broth. It’s from the state of Hidalgo, in the central Eastern region of Mexico, the homeland of […]

Baking Holiday Mexican Piedras ( Rocks) Will Recycle Your Conchas!

Baking Holiday Mexican Piedras ( Rocks) Will Recycle Your Conchas!

Holiday baking! Mexican piedras, rocks, are great for holiday sharing and gifting, especially as we are forced to isolate, stay home, during these horrible Covid months.  So, give yourself a treat and bake these traditional Mexican piedras, delicious for breakfast or a midday snack. And […]

Thanksgiving Cranberry Conserve: tangerine, ginger and sultanas

Thanksgiving Cranberry Conserve: tangerine, ginger and sultanas

Thanksgiving cranberry conserve, with tangerine, ginger and sultanas, is a delicious contrast of flavor and color that I think is really amazing with the seasonal cranberries.  I urge you to try it at your Thanksgiving meal.  I’ve adapted this recipe from one I read many, […]