Strawberry and spinach salad
One would think that Texans don’t appreciate salads, as we have a reputation of being a meat-centric state. While this is true, Texas…
Grapefruit avocado salad with poppy seed dressing
A friend of mine is a co-owner of a barbecue spot, and he and I were recently discussing side dishes. He’s a traditionalist,…
Cabbage with bacon
One day while visiting a friend, we sat in her kitchen and discussed the importance of family recipes. Like me, she has a…
Classic Frito salad
When I was growing up, my mom served a dish she called bean salad. It was made up of pinto beans, along with…
Southeast Texas Italian salad
The first time I saw the phrase, “Wop salad,” I did a double-take. I was reading Texas newspaper articles from the 1950s, and…
Cucumber and tomato salad
On a late July weekend in the Hill Country, my friends and I prepared a group meal. We shared the cooking duties, with…
Cantaloupe and shrimp ceviche
The other day at the store, I was walking past a large display of fruit and a strong whiff of sweet cantaloupe hung…
Jalapeño dill potato salad
Last weekend I attended my first outdoor gathering of the season, and I brought one of my usual potluck standbys, my pinto bean…
Pickled black-eyed peas
When Helen Corbitt, the famed Texan chef, arrived in Texas from New York in 1931, she was presented with the state’s love for…
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.