Freshly rendered pork lard is a magical ingredient that the “health food” industry has unfairly demonized. In fact, freshly rendered lard has some benefits that can’t be ignored. One of those being it’s a natural ingredient that hasn’t been adulterated by chemical processes, such as hydrogenation or the inclusion of preservatives and other chemicals. Even […]
Southern Food
Beef Shepherd’s Pie
Growing up, Beef Shepherd’s Pie was a regular meal in my house. My mother made a Tex-Mex version that I loved. It was such a big meal that I could eat until I hurt for dinner, then wake up the following day and have more for breakfast. One day I’ll work on replicate her version […]
Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Cream Sauce
Pecan-crusted pork tenderloin is a great way to utilize Texas’s abundant pecan crops. The mild flavors of lean pork tenderloin and earthy Texas pecans go together perfectly. Add a Bourbon cream sauce, and you’ve got a date-night-worthy dish. The Bourbon pairs perfectly with Texas pecans and the cream will add some much-needed fat. Did you […]
Homemade Chicken Stock
A lot of people may think that homemade chicken stock doesn’t belong on a food blog. They’d be wrong. Good cooking requires good ingredients, and neither bland chicken water that comes in a can nor dehydrated chicken product that comes in a foil-wrapped cube qualify as good ingredients. Making your own high-quality chicken stock will […]
Southern-Style Cornbread
Southern-style cornbread is a controversial topic, and it’s guaranteed that I’ll have a few rocks thrown at me for my take on it. There’s an almost puritanical point of view that says cornbread never has sugar or flour in it. My grandparents that were descended from migrants from Tennessee made that kind of cornbread. The […]
White Beans and Tasso
Being a West Texan, I’m about as close to an authority on what a bean should taste like as you can find. Sometimes, though, a pot of pinto beans just won’t do it for you. You need something different. White beans and tasso is an excellent alternative. In fact, secretly, cannellini beans (white kidney beans) are […]
Texas-Style Shrimp and Cheese Grits
Texas-Style Shrimp and Cheese Grits are probably one of the most popular dishes in my household. The savory cheese grits, the giant flavor of the trinity, and the crisp, clean bite of jumbo-sized Gulf shrimp are incomparable. The smoky flavor of the poblano takes the traditional to a whole new level. Top it with some Texas-Style […]
Homemade Tasso Ham Recipe
Tasso ham is a Cajun-style cured meat that resembles small, spicy country hams. You can dice it up and mix it into eggs, red beans and rice, jambalaya, or throw a few chunks into a pot of beans or collard greens to add a nice smoky Cajun kick. One really nice thing about it is […]
Green Beans with New Potatoes
Green Beans (or “snap-beans”) and new potatoes were a staple in my home growing up. Green beans were easy to grow when my family lived out in East Texas, and potatoes are about the cheapest thing you can buy at the grocery store. Add a little bacon and onion, then splash a little vinegar on […]
East Texas Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
I call it East Texas Jambalaya, but it’s really Louisiana Cajun Jambalaya with German sausage instead of Andouille sausage. It’s what was available to me when I lived in the German belt in Central Texas. It’s also my favorite style of sausage, so I step away from tradition a little bit here, but not that […]
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