It all started with a fire. It was the Bastrop, Texas fires to be exact when the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history left a swath of devastation in the fall of 2011. Like many other businesses and organizations, a new restaurant in Austin stepped up to help with relief efforts in the neighboring town. From its location […]

The idea that food is infused with the emotions of its creator is not a new one. It is on display in movies like Chocolat, and many have probably experienced it on a particularly special occasion. The memory of a holiday dish lovingly prepared by a mom, dad, or grandparent is something many hold dear long into their dotage. […]

In 1944, the flat, undeveloped land in the Rio Grande Valley offered new opportunities for those who relocated to the tip of Texas. With rich soil and warm climate, the agricultural hotspot supported a booming citrus industry, one that still proves fruitful today. Northerners, like Emidio Milano and his wife Lisetta Berardinelli, moved in pursuit […]

Brian and Amanda Light want to revive the connetion diners once felt with each other and their food. The couple set out to accomplish that mission with the opening of their 15-acre Bryan property, Ronin Farm, in 2012, and their restaurant, located just ten miles away, in 2018. Ronin Farm & Restaurant is a farm-to-table concept, with […]

Across the nation, the hard cider scene is coming into its own, and that includes in Texas. Whereas ten years ago, there was barely a local producer in sight, cideries are popping up in every major city across the state. So, if you have not yet sampled a sip from a can or tap, it […]

Few states can lay claim to the invention of an entire category of food as can Texas, with its beloved regional cuisine known as Tex-Mex. Within that delicious realm is a crowd favorite: fajitas. Although now a ubiquitous dish, especially here in the Lone Star State, fajitas have evolved from humble beginnings. For many years, […]

February is the month for chocolate. It is everywhere – tied up in pretty packages and neatly arranged in heart-shaped boxes. Chocolate entices us to savor its unmistakable flavor. If you, too, are craving chocolate, here are three recipes that are sure to satisfy your heart’s desire. Try them today, and your spirit will sing […]

With microbreweries popping up all over Texas, many have probably wondered what happens to all that spent grain. For those who are not familiar with that term, spent grain is what is left of the grain after the mash has extracted most of the sugars (carbs) and nutrients, leaving primarily protein and fiber. Spent grain […]

Going out to dinner at a posh restaurant on Valentine’s Day always seems like a good idea. However, disappointment sets in when February 14th finally arrives, and you are faced with huge crowds and long lines – not exactly the ideal set of circumstances for that intimate date you had imagined. Preparing a cozy dinner […]

From fry cook of a fast-food chicken joint to king of a Texas taco empire, Michael Rypka may have moved up the ranks quickly, but it was not always an easy climb. Rypka started Torchy’s Tacos with little more than a dream and a used trailer, back before food trucks were cool. Even when his […]

When the weather is chilly and the wind is howling, soup is always my first thought. Soothing, warm, and filling, chicken soup heals bodies and nurtures families. Making a huge pot of chicken stock is rarely convenient, especially if you have a small household. Canned soup is often high in sodium, and among other things, […]

In Texas cities statewide, barbeque joints whip up their daily cuts, producing plates with hearty meats glazed in thick and glossy sauce, joined with the usual suspects: soft bread, crisp pickles, and freshly-sliced onions. These tasty meals attract Texans far and wide, in search of their next best barbeque meal. Here is a look at […]

The tree has been taken down and the holiday lights are back in the attic; the holidays are officially over. If you are one of the millions of Americans who made a New Year’s resolution, you are probably wondering “what now?” Just how do you transition from a diet laden with holiday favorites back to […]

My home is nestled in a pecan grove, so every autumn we harvest the trees. We use loads of pecans in our holiday recipes, so we make sure to gather as many as possible. Buttery and crisp, all Christmas cookies are improved with the addition of a handful of Texas pecans. I am sharing my family’s favorite recipes.

Regardless if the weather outside is frightful or not, there is nothing more delightful than a gathering of your friends and family during the holidays. Instead of going out to an over-crowded and over-priced bar or restaurant, why not impress your loved ones this year with a Christmas cocktail happy hour at home? Hosting a […]