A properly cooked scallop is one of the finest foods you can put in your mouth. My preference, pan-fried scallops cooked in butter, develop a rich brown crust while retaining a soft tender interior. They have a natural sweetness and taste of the sea without being fishy. Scallops aren’t very complicated to make. … Read more
The arrival of Memorial Day ushers in the official start of grilling season and I’m stoked. I get plenty of Texas barbecue here in Austin all year round, but it’s not the same as a nice charred steak from the grill. It’s important to make the distinction. Barbecue is cooking “low and … Read more
Mexican breakfast is delicious. There’s tons of it to go around here in Austin. Breakfast tacos, chilaquiles, migas and huevos rancheros all have a heavy presence on the menus of restaurants in town. But finding one of my favorite dishes, huevos divorciados (divorced eggs), has proven to be more difficult. The dish features two … Read more
I love gravy! A plate of roast beef with mashed potatoes smothered in rich, flavorful gravy is soul-satisfying. Sopping it up with a piece of bread is even better. I might have even licked a gravy laden plate clean once or twice in my lifetime. But gravy doesn’t have to be relegated … Read more
This past weekend carnivores and music lovers from near and far gathered in Tyler, Texas for the second annual Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival. Barbecue aficionados packed downtown to sample smoked meat from eighteen joints from across the state. The lineup was formidable with eleven of the eighteen ranked on the Texas … Read more
Sausage making is a time intensive and laborious process. It is an under appreciated craft that has become commercialized over the years. During a recent visit to Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, it was refreshing to see that the art of the housemade sausage is alive and well on Rainey street. Chef … Read more
I’ve been converted. Had a revelation, a come to Jesus moment. No, I’m not talking about God (we’re already tight), I’m referring to the Chicken & Waffle at 24 Diner. I generally don’t get excited when I see it on a menu. When a dish is so simplistic that it only features … Read more
Growing up I was never fond of cauliflower. I appreciate that my Mom provided healthy choices but steamed cauliflower made in the microwave still doesn’t make me want to throw a party in flavortown. I appreciate cauliflower much more now and I prefer it roasted at high temperatures in the oven. Roasting … Read more