Chicken-fried steak with red chile gravy
One summer day, while driving along the Rio Grande from Laredo to McAllen I began to get hungry. As I passed through the town of Zapata, I spotted a sign…
Main dish recipes
Roast chicken with bacon, tomatoes, and green chiles
My friends keep telling me I should get an Instant Pot. They sing its praised though I’m still not convinced. This is mainly because I have little room in my…
Green chile cheeseburgers
Roasted long green chiles, such as Hatch or Anaheim, make for a spicy topping for juicy smashed cheeseburgers. A Southwestern favorite!
South Padre shrimp ceviche
Gulf shrimp along with tomatoes, garlic, onions, jalapeños, avocado, and a generous splash of lime juice are the foundations of this classic South Texas ceviche.
Ancho chile and cocoa-rubbed flank steak tacos
A rub of ground ancho chile and cocoa powder brings an earthy, fiery flavor to flank steak tacos, best served in flour tortillas with guacamole and pico de gallo.
Tortilla-crusted shrimp
Shrimp coated in crushed tortilla chips are baked for this quick and easy seafood dish, which will remind you of days spent at the beach. And if you like the heat, there’s also a chipotle-chile cocktail sauce for dipping on the side.
Red chile cheese enchiladas
These hearty, cheesy enchiladas smothered in a rich and smooth red chile salsa are West Texas-style comfort food at its finest.
Jalapeño cheese dog mac & cheese
Hot dogs and jalapeño potato chips are added to a creamy macaroni and cheese. A bit uncouth, perhaps, but also hearty and delicious. Crunchy, creamy, snappy, and hot!
Coca-Cola braised carnitas
Coca-Cola and milk, along with warm flavors such as cinnamon, allspice, and chipotle give these carnitas a slight hint of bacon, which is never a bad thing at all.
Fried chicken livers
Fried chicken livers with cream gravy are a classic Texan dish, but you don’t see them very often these days. This is a shame as these crunchy nuggets always hit the spot.
