Botana de Pollo al Pastor represents the very best way meals are served here along the Texas border. A bounty of flavors, textures, spicy and savory, this meal is a touch of home. < What is a "Botana"? The word “botana” means an appetizer or snack. I think the term came from little bits of food that otherwise would have been discarded (the word “botar” means to chuck out or to waste.) The small bites are reassembled on a large platter and made to ...
Almond Crunch Cherry Pie brings back the memories of your grandmother's best recipe - but with a little added crunch that everyone loves! The Secret Crunch The secret to bringing the crunch to Almond Crunch Cherry Pie is the buttered almonds and granulated sugar that top the pie. The butter helps to gently roast the almonds for a deeper flavor and crisper texture as the pie bakes. Also, the sugar caramelizes to give a perfectly delicate crispness to the topping. However, both almonds and ...
Avocado Aioli was inspired by my fantasy of making an avocado mayonnaise. Alas, I didn’t like the avocado mayonnaise recipes that I tried. Bland and blah, it didn’t seem worth the trouble. Imagine all the possibilities! But Avocado Aioli is only one ingredient away from avocado mayo, and that ingredient is garlic. The word aioli comes from the Italian recipe of aglio e olio, an olive oil and garlic blend served with pasta. Avocado Aioli could be served as a dressing on a cold pasta or potato ...
Shrimp Fajitas with Pink Pickled Onions is a very quick taco dinner that anyone can make. Low in calories and high in flavor, this is a great dinner for everyone at the table. What are Shrimp Fajitas? The name “Shrimp Fajitas” always cracks me up because the anatomy of a shrimp doesn’t include a “fajita.” In Spanish, a girdle or belt is known as a “faja” or by the diminutive “fajita.” Beef cows have a “fajita” and that cut of meat is very popular here in South Texas. Restaurants began ...
Buttermilk Biscuits are the absolute basic biscuit recipe everyone needs to have. Granted, I have gone through my share of regrettable biscuit recipes. But this recipe is mine, and I have tested it nine ways to Sunday! It works! Buttermilk Biscuits are the Best (Easy too!) The trick with making the best Buttermilk Biscuits lies…
Ready for an Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich? Did I really need to test this recipe for Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich so many times? Probably not. But hey, it had to be perfect! Hot Chicken Sandwiches, y’all! Regardless, I reserve the right to tweak this recipe for Austin Style Hot Chicken Sandwich in…
Fresh Peach Cobbler is one of those summers treats that you have to make again and again until the peach season is over So yeah, we have been making a lot of it. Is anyone complaining? Nope. Fresh Peach Cobbler is Easy & Delicious! Even when the peaches have all been picked and the…
Roasted Corn Salad is quickly becoming the standard summertime side dish Sweet kernels of corn with just a hint of creaminess and delicious salty cheeses mixed in…what is not to love? A Sweet Summer Side Dish I have seen other recipes referring to this salad as esquites, a traditional Mexican-style street food. I will have…
Melissa Guerra is an 8th generation Texan, born and raised on a working cattle ranch in South Texas. She is a self taught culinary expert and food historian, specializing in the food ways of the American continent, especially Texas regional, Mexican, and Latin American cuisine. Read More…
