Life is funny. If you had told me 16 years ago when I moved to New York that someday I’d be writing a cookbook about Texan cuisine, I would have just laughed. Sure, I loved to cook and I also wanted to write books—but never did I think I’d be pairing the two passions into one.
Today, all that changes. While I’m still a little shocked that my the past few years on this blog has turned into a book, I do have to admit that I’m over the moon that The Homesick Texan Cookbook is finally published, and I hope it brings many people happiness as it makes its way through the world.
Of course, this book would have been nothing without you, my readers. Please accept my deepest gratitude for helping this book come to life. Your support, your friendship and your enthusiasm have made writing and photographing both the blog and the book a true joy.
Now, a little about the book. The Homesick Texan Cookbook has over 125 recipes that aim to capture the essence of Texan cuisine. As Texas is a large and diverse state, my goal was to showcase all of our state’s bounty, from the beef dishes found in the arid West, to the fresh seafood found along the Gulf; from to the Eastern-European influences found in Central Texas, to the Deep South influences found in the East.
Some of the recipes in the book have appeared on the blog, like Texan classics such as chicken-fried steak, migas and King Ranch casserole. But there are plenty of new dishes as well. Some of my favorites include Dallas gas-station tacos, fried shrimp, poblano macaroni and cheese, crawfish rolls, salpicón and Mexican chocolate chewies. And of course, there are color photos and stories, too.
While I’ve been in New York, cooking the Texan foods I grew up with has helped me feel closer to my loved ones back home. I used to think I missed only the food, but what I truly missed was my family and friends. Fortunately, cooking these dishes has given others and myself a way to connect with those that we love. Though, you certainly don’t have to be a homesick Texan to enjoy our state’s warm and comforting dishes. As I like to say, everyone’s welcome at the Texas table!
I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity, so thank you again for reading and responding throughout the years. Sharing recipes and stories with you has been a genuine pleasure.
But enough about the book—let’s get cooking!
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