El Paso-style chile con queso, 1947
El Paso has long been one of my favorite cities. When I considered where to live upon my return to Texas, El Paso…
Cherry Dr Pepper cheesecake bars
A few years ago for his birthday, my uncle asked my grandma to make a cherry pie he’d spied in her collection of…
Strawberry cream cheese kolaches
Last week I began the writing phase of my book, which means every morning I get up early and begin working. Because I…
New Year’s Day queso compuesto
A year or so ago, I was visiting Texas in August and stopped by my grandma’s farm to say howdy. She asked if…
Armadillo eggs recipe
Once a year, a reader shoots me an email asking when I’ll be writing an armadillo eggs recipe. At first I said, “Uh,…
Strawberry sheet cake
I have to say that it’s good to be in charge. Sure, I’m awfully busy—waking up at the crack of dawn and cooking…
Cheese logs, cheese balls, and Aunt Betty
Every family has its fair share of characters and mine is no different. It being the holiday season and all, I’ve wanted to…
For Thanksgiving, sweet potato cheesecake
My uncle’s special Thanksgiving dessert is sweet potato pie. My brother’s special Thanksgiving dessert is pumpkin cheesecake. And since I’m going to see…
An asparagus sandwich and a new attitude
The small Texas town where I went to college had a surprising bounty of good restaurants despite its size. While I ate the…
