Jalapeño creamed corn
“It’s all good, but whatever you do, you must get the creamed corn,” said the woman waiting in line behind me at Killen’s Barbecue. It was my first time to…
Side dish recipes
Squash and green chile casserole
If you’re a Texan of a certain age, then you probably remember Liz Carpenter. Mrs. Carpenter was most famously Lady Bird Johnson’s press secretary, but she was also a longtime…
Pinto bean and hominy salad
Since I don’t have a backyard in New York, I’ve always had to rely on the kindness of others when it comes to outdoor dining. Fortunately, however, I have friends…
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…
Cauliflower and Gruyere macaroni and cheese
The other day, my cousin who now lives in New York asked if I was available for a quick lunch. I mentioned I was about to test a recipe for…
Chipotle shrimp coleslaw
Well, my plan had been to tell you about the epic road trip I just took, where I spent almost two weeks driving around West and South Texas (with a…
Barbecue baked black-eyed peas
Last Monday, which was also my birthday, I finished my second cookbook. It was the best present I could ever give myself. After I sent my manuscript to my editor,…
Tomato pie with bacon and jalapeños
On my refrigerator is a photo my mom sent me from last Thanksgiving. It’s a shot of a long wooden table that’s been topped with an array of pies. There…
Zucchini slaw
One of the toughest things about living in New York City is the lack of any outdoor space. During the winter when the city is cold and wet, you don’t…
Texas sweet onion casserole with rice, chipotle, and Gruyere
A savory rice pudding made with Texas sweet onions, chipotle chiles, and Gruyere cheese.