Cinco de Mayo approaches and with it, thoughts of the completely Americanized restaurant specialty, queso, or cheese dip as we used to call it. I, and pretty much anyone from in Memphis, grew up on a thin, cold cheese dip created by the area’s first Mexican restaurant. It is still a favorite and available at local groceries in a plastic tub, and a true guilty pleasure for me. … [Read more...] about Queso Fundido Soup
Cinco de Mayo
Chicken Tinga
When I was a kid, taco night mean hard shells, ground beef cooked with a packet of seasoning and shredded cheese. It was fun, because you got to “make” your own dinner, putting as much meat and cheese on as you wanted (though mom probably insisted that I put a little lettuce on it too). And eating with your hands! But my, how times have changed and only for the better. Tacos … [Read more...] about Chicken Tinga
Baked Coconut Shrimp with Tequila Lime Butter Sauce
Crunchy coconut shrimp are sort of a secret treat for me. I don’t eat at a lot of chain restaurants, but there are a few that really excel and I make the occasional visit to sample them. The first time I had coconut shrimp years ago, I was attending the trial run of a chain restaurant opening its first branch in town. The night was a real disaster…the waiters were not ready, … [Read more...] about Baked Coconut Shrimp with Tequila Lime Butter Sauce
Posole (Mexican Chicken and Hominy Soup)
One of the great joys of my life in food is meeting other food writers in amazing places. This winter, I had the great pleasure of spending an amazing week at a writing workshop in Tepotzlan, Mexico at Cocinar Mexicano. Iconic food writer Betty Fussell lead a spectacular group of women through the birth of some great writing projects. Tepotzlan is nestled in the mountains of … [Read more...] about Posole (Mexican Chicken and Hominy Soup)
Tequila Chili Almonds
I love a nutty little nibble with cocktails, and I have developed many versions over the years. These almonds are a riff on my Lemon Garlic Cashews, with a nod to the Bourbon Rosemary Pecans. Whip up a batch of Fresh Citrus Margaritas and get ready to celebrate! Look for raw, blanched almonds (with no brown skin) in the bulk bins or a Middle Eastern section or grocery. I … [Read more...] about Tequila Chili Almonds
