Vietnamese fried chicken
Fried chicken that’s been breaded in rice flour, which makes it extra crisp. To finish, there’s a tangy, sweet, and spicy glaze.
Main dish recipes
Pork chops with jalapeño peach barbecue sauce
There have been lots of stories about homesick Texans in New York throughout the years, but some of my favorites are about Bud Shrake. He was a Texan writer who…
Chicken gorditas
Every spring I get an itch to return to Texas as it just might be the best time of year to be there. The bluebonnets and other wildflowers are in…
Dr Pepper pulled brisket
The first time I recall having brisket, it wasn’t the smoked hunk of beef that many people associate with Texas. No, instead it was an oven brisket prepared by my…
Chicken-fried chicken
Spring semester of my senior year in high school, when my friends and I were feeling daring we’d occasionally leave school for lunch. We only had 45 minutes so it…
Peppery pinto beans with sausage
I love beans. Soupy beans, refried beans, beans in a dip, or beans in a salad—it doesn’t matter how you serve them, I will eat beans and be happy. Like…
Tex-Mex meatballs in a chipotle-tomato sauce
Sundays in October might be my favorite days of the year. The leaves are starting to put on their annual show, the air is crisp, and there are so many…
Tarte flambée with bacon and jalapeños
Sometimes I can be reminded of home in the most unlikely places. For instance, last week I visited the Museum of Modern Art’s new Rene Magritte exhibit. Houston’s Menil Collection…
Chilorio, Mexican Pulled Pork
“What is that incredible smell?” asked a friend as he walked in the door. I pointed to the stove where shredded pork was simmering in an earthy, spicy sauce made…
Carne asada stuffed potatoes
In Southern California, there’s a dish called carne asada fries. It’s a pile of French fries topped with carne asada, cheese, and a variety of other toppings, such as sour…
