Cranberry crumb bars with mulling spices

This week I’ve been baking batch after batch of cookies as we head towards Christmas. I’m not sure why cookies are the sweet treat most asso...

Holiday gift guide 2012

While I love spending time in the kitchen, I’d have to say I’m happiest when I’m driving around Texas, enjoying our state’s rich and graciou...

Turkey enchilada verde soup

Three weeks ago on a Friday, I found myself back in Texas so I could give my talk at the University of Texas at Arlington. It went well and ...

Texas and the place of memory

In a couple of weeks, I’ll be giving a talk on the theme of “The Place of Memory” at the University of Texas at Arlington. While I’m not sur...

Chocolate pecan sticky bars

About this time eleven years ago, I took a plane trip to Texas. It was my first flight after 9-11 and everyone was still shaky about air tra...

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 ...

Green chile cheese steak

The song of the cicadas, the beginning of football and the arrival of Hatch green chiles always signal the end of summer for me. While I usu...

Blueberry lime oatmeal muffins and a new cookbook

The other day my grandma asked me, “What have you been doing with yourself lately?” She had noticed it’s been quiet on the blog this summer ...

Peach jalapeño jam

Texans love their peaches. I’d say that this love ranks right up there along with bluebonnets, barbecue, cheese enchiladas and football. And...

Sorghum-mustard glazed ribs

The other day, a friend of mine commented about how hard it was to recreate barbecue without a yard. She’s a recent arrival to New York City...

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, ...

Chipotle-orange glazed drumsticks

There’s a scene in the movie “Hud” where Patricia Neal’s character offers an orange to Paul Newman. As she’s about to hand it to him she say...