Texas Monthly

Light Strawberry Cream

Recipe from Light Bites.

French Mushroom Salad

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes Make Ahead: 24 hours1/2 cup dry white wine 2 shallots, finely minced 1 bay leaf 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme Dash Hungarian paprika or cayenne 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 pound mushrooms with

Charcoal-Broiled Pork With Rice Vermicelli

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 cup nuoc mam 4 shallots, thinly sliced Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 8 ounces thin rice vermicelli 1 pound boneless pork loin 1 pound ground beef (chuck) 8 garlic cloves, minced 24 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes (use metal

Spring Rolls With Peanut Sauce

Spring Rolls2 ounces thin rice vermicelli 8 uncooked medium shrimp 12 ounces boneless pork loin, in 1 piece 1 large carrot, shredded 1 teaspoon sugar 8 rounds rice paper (banh trang), each 8 1/2 inches in diameter 4 large leaves leaf lettuce with thick stem ends removed, cut in half

Shrimp Salad

8 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 3 ounces uncooked chicken breast, cut into chunks 1/4 small head each of red and green cabbage, chopped 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons chopped bean sprouts 3 garlic gloves, chopped Green tops of 2 green onions, chopped

Fresh-Peppermint Fudge Brownies

1 1/3 cups margarine 2 cups granulated sugar, sifted 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 tablespoons honey 1 1/2 cups sifted flour 7/8 cup instant cocoa mix 1 teaspoon each salt and baking powder 2 cups coarsely chopped toasted pecans 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 7 tablespoons unsalted butter

A Grand Finale

Brownie point.

Jalapeno Jack Spoon Bread

Jalapeño Jack Spoon Bread2 cups whole milk1 cup stone-ground cornmeal4 tablespoons unsalted butter2 teaspoons baking powder4 whole eggs1 large onion, diced2 garlic cloves, diced2 shallots, diced2 fresh medium-sized jalapeños, diced4 ounces jalapeño Monterey Jack cheese, shredded1/4 teaspoon saltPreheat oven to 350 degrees. In heavy saucepan, bring milk to boil over

Venison Medallions

1 1/2 cups buttermilk 3/4 cup red wine 1 1/2 pounds of 1/2-inch medallions from backstrap of axis, sika, fallow, or whitetail deer 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 leeks, cut into 1/4-inch slices (discard dark-green part) 2 whole shallots, chopped 8 ounces mushrooms, quartered 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/2

Penny’s Cookies

Butter Cookie Dough1 cup salted butter 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 tablespoons whipping cream 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 3 cups unbleached flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powderPreheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixer combine butter and sugar. Add egg, cream, vanilla, and

Southwestern Pimm’s Cup

1 1/4 ounces Pimm’s No. 12 1/2 ounces Ruby Red grapefruit juiceNopalitosIn cocktail glass, mix Pimm’s No. 1 and grapefruit juice. Garnish with nopalitos (nopal cactus pieces). Serve on the rocks or with juice well chilled. Serves 1.Featured in “Liquid Assets” Domain, November/December 1989.

Braised Chestnuts

From Quick Cuisine.

Beef Blankets

Tomato Sauce2 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon minced garlic1/4 cup finely chopped onions2 cups canned tomatoes, chopped (reserve liquid)4 ounces tomato paste1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley1 tablespoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon dried basil1/2 bay leafSalt and white pepper, to tasteHeat oil in saucepan or sauté pan. Sauté garlic and onions over medium

Jennivine’s Bread Pudding

Make use of leftover bread with this recipe from Jenni Messina, who owned Dallas’s Jennivine’s Restaurant and Culinary Center.

1992 Bum Steers Awards

Where is Alfred Hitchcock When You Need Him?The Texas Department of Agriculture fined a crop duster in Wilbarger County $1,250 for spraying pesticide on a family of four in a pickup truck.Drive Friendly—I’m Uninsured.To avoid Texas insurance and safety standards, at least two thousand drivers from El Paso illegally purchased

Do Unto Others

Famous Fun Feuds.

The 1992 Bum Steer Awards

A year of alternative armadillos, bogus bills, contraband condoms, defecting drivers, eventful endorsements, futile floss, gorgeous golfers, humongous hair, imploding implants, jet joyrides, Kansas City klunkers, licentious libraries, mayoral Mafiosi, N-vaded N-dians, outlaw odors, phighting physicists, queasy quesadillas, royal relatives, shunned Schwarzkopf, tainted teachers, underworld underwear, verbose vasectomies, welfare Willies,

It’s Over!

Rod Canion Houston-based Compaq Computer Corporation, which he co-founded, fired him as presidentDallas CBS canceled the series after a thirteen-year run that featured the mythic evil of J. R. Ewing.Gib Lewis The five-term Speaker of the House was indicted on misdemeanor ethics charges.Danny Faulkner The developer in the Interstate 30

Buyer Beware

Chicken Ranch brother souvenirs, including 1992 calendars with photos of prostitutes in Old West costumes, available for $14.95 from CRI Marketing in Los Angeles.UT Texas Longhorns cologne, based on Texas cedarwood oil, sold for $24 (1.7 ounces) by Texarome of Leakey.Savings and loan scandal trading cards, featuring Neil Bush of

Words of Art

From Good Bull: More Aggie Escapades, by John Hoyle:One of the no-no’s in the Corps is to have a member of the opposite sex in your dorm room at the wrong hours. One night, a group of Fish saw a senior sneaking a young woman into his room. The freshmen,

Black Bean Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil 11/2 cups cooked black beans (add just enough cooking liquid to cover the beans) 1 serrano chile, stemmed and minced (remove seeds for a milder sauce) 1/2 cup dark beer salt to tasteIn a large skillet heat the oil over high heat. Add the beans, serrano

Goat Cheese Enfrijoladas Negras

If you thought you liked refried beans and cheddar, wait until you taste these tortillas stuffed with goat cheese and topped with black bean sauce. (Literally, “enfrijolada” means “beaned,” but “prepared with a bean sauce” gets the idea across better.)12 ounces fresh goat cheese, at room temperature 1 tablespoon chopped

Pineapple Pico

This is a sweet-hot variation on the classic pico de gallo of onion, tomato, cilantro, and serranos.1/8 onion, diced 1 small tomato, seeded and diced 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 teaspoon minced habanero chile, or 1/2 tablespoon prepared habanero pepper sauce 1 tablespoon

Pear and White Chocolate Mousse

3/4 cup sugarJuice of 1/2 lemon2 pears, peeled, seeded, and quartered2 packages gelatin powder, soaked in 1/2 cup cold water9 ounces white chocolate6 egg yolks3 ounces dark rum1 cup heavy cream4 egg whitesPinch cream of tartarBring sugar, juice, and 1/4 cup water to boil. Add pears; boil until very soft.

A Grand Finale

Chef Richard Kaplan whips rum and pears into a white-chocolate cloud.

Saganaki Tourkolimano

Specialty of the House

Our second annual peek into household recipe files across the state reveals a cornucopia of ethnic treats, including Creole-style oysters and a cheesy seafood staple from the isles of Greece.

Ceviche

3 pounds fresh Pacific whitefish, snapper, or speckled trout 6 limes 3 to 4 tomatoes, chopped 3 to 5 jalapeños, seeded and chopped 1 larger onion, chopped 1/4 to 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and black pepper, to tasteCut fish into 1/2-inch

Praline Pecans

Pollo Picante

Thin Italian Pizza

DoughMakes 4 Twelve-Inch Pizzas1 package rapid-rise yeast 1 cup warm water 1/8 teaspoon salt 3 cups unbleached white flour 8 tablespoons olive oilDissolve yeast in water. Let proof a few minutes; then add salt. On smooth clean surface, make mound of flour with well in center. Pour yeast mixture into

Creole Oysters

1 quart oysters, drained2 cups Italian bread crumbs (Progresso)1 cup grated Parmesan cheese3 tablespoons chopped parsleyJuice of 2 lemons3/4 cup olive oil1 garlic clove, crushed1/2 to 1 tablespoon crushed red pepperSalt, to tastePut oysters in baking dish. Mix remaining ingredients together. Top oysters with mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until

Curried Broccoli Soup

2 pounds broccoli 2 medium onions 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 3/4 teaspoons curry powder 2 cans regular-strength chicken broth (14 ounces each) Sour cream (optional, for chilled soup)Trim tough stem ends from broccoli. Cut off 1 cup tiny florets from broccoli, steam separately until tender, and set aside

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Recipe from Rob Mosbacher, Jr.Meatballs3/4 pound ground beef 1/4 pound ground pork 1 cup fine dry Italian bread crumbs 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1 sprig parsley 1 garlic clove, minced 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs, beaten Salt and pepper, to taste 3 tablespoons vegetable oilSauce1 onion, chopped 1

Hill Country Peach Cobbler

Recipe from Gourmet Gals, 9725 Anderson Mill Road, Austin.

A Grand Finale

From a small catering business in Amarillo to their present incarnation in Austin, where they’ve feted British royalty (Prince Charles) and Texas common folk, Gourmet Gals are all over the map. This simple cobbler has an appealing, almost puddinglike consistency. “With the trends in Southwestern cuisine, we’ve kind of overlooked

Red and Black Summer Fruits

Preparation Time: 8 minutes1 pint each of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup Chambord (black raspberry liqueur) Fresh mint sprigs (for garnish)Sprinkle cleaned berries with sugar and liqueur. Chill.From Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions originally featured in Domain, July/August 1989

Sauté of Crab, Corn, and Red Pepper

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

Cornmeal Madeleines

Recipe from Quick Cuisine: Shellfish Intentions.

Goat Cheese and Red Onion Timbales

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large or 2 small red onions, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, mashed 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme 6 ounces Texas goat cheese, crumbled 5 large eggs 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 1

Salsa Creole Cruda

6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped (peel if skins are tough) 1 cup chopped canned tomatoes, with juice (or increase fresh tomatoes to 8) 4 to 5 fresh serrano chiles, seeded and chopped 1 medium red onion, chopped 2 to 3 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced

Salsa Brava

1/2 pound serrano chiles, stems removed4 cloves garlic, peeled1 1/2 bunches cilantro1 to 2 medium-sized tomatillos, quartered1/2 tablespoon salt1 tablespoon white vinegarPut serrano chiles and garlic in blender or food processor with 1/2 tablespoon of water. Pulse lightly until chopped but not liquefied. Set aside. In food processor, blend cilantro,

Roasted-Tomato Salsa

12 ripe plum tomatoes 1 small yellow onion, coarsely chopped 6 cloves garlic 5 serrano chiles Small bunch of cilantro 2 to 4 chipotle chiles, canned Salt and pepper, to taste Lime juice, to tastePlace tomatoes in roasting pan like billiard balls in a rack. Add onion, garlic, and serrano

Pineapple-Green Peppercorn Salsa

1 ripe pineapple, peeled and diced 1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, seeded, and diced 1 tablespoon green peppercorns 2 tablespoons brine from peppercorns 1 tablespoon honey 2 teaspoons ginger juice (scrape fresh ginger-root and squeeze out juice) 1 ounce rice-wine vinegar 1/4 teaspoon turmeric 1 tablespoon nam pla (Thai

Cucumber-Tahini Salsa

1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup (or more) orange juice 1 ounce each of yogurt and tahini paste Dash of harissa sauce 1 clove garlic 1 cup olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced 1 medium red onion, diced 2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and

Spicy Avocado Salsa

4 tomatillos, shucked4 fresh jalapeños, stems removed2 ripe avocados4 sprigs cilantro1 small to medium leaf of romaine lettuce1 teaspoon chopped garlic2 teaspoons saltJuice of 1/2 limeIn saucepan, cover tomatillos and jalapeños with water. Bring to boil; reduce heat slightly and cook 4 to 5 minutes (don’t let skins burst). Drain,

Reed Hearon’s Chocolate Sombrero

Chocolate Génoise4 large eggs, at room temperature1/2 cup each of sugar and flour1 tablespoon cocoa powder2 tablespoons unsalted butter, meltedMix eggs and sugar 1 minute in bowl set in warm water. Whip on high until fluffy. Combine flour and cocoa; fold in. Fold in butter. Pour into 14-inch circle on

A Grand Finale

Finishing the hat.

Grilled Pork Loin in Apricot-and-Curry Marinade

Pork Loin12 seven-ounce center cuts of fresh boneless pork loin 2 cups smooth apricot jam 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 cups finely sliced onions 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 bay leaves 15 white peppercorns, cracked 1/2 teaspoon

Pan-Seared Salmon with Cabernet-Butter Sauce

Salmon2 tablespoons lemon-thyme leaves 1 teaspoon freshly cracked white pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon snipped basil 4 seven-ounce boneless salmon filets, 1 1/2 inches thick 2 tablespoons olive oilCombine thyme, pepper, garlic, and basil. Rub mixture evenly into filets, and marinate overnight in refrigerator. Sauté filets in oil