Cooking

This is probably my favorite hobby in the whole world. I have often thought about trying to do something cooking related as a profession but then, it wouldn't be fun anymore would it? It would be a job. I'm one of those people who are absolutely addicted to those kinds of stores that sell every expensive little gadget, every shape of tart pan, every particular spoon and tool...I will say, though, that I try to resist the junk and stick with things I really do use.

I'll share some of my most loved recipes with you, and I'll try to change them occasionally or add to them as I get a chance. If you're from Texas, you'll be bored maybe 'cause you probably eat this stuff every day, but if you're not, give it a try. You can check out the following right now:

Baked Beans (my grandma's recipe...the yankee grandma)

Biscuits (melt in your mouth but gotta have the homemade preserves with 'em)

Blueberry Muffins (not very sweet but wonderful, I think you'll like them)

Brisket (in the oven, yes, I said oven)

Brownies (very simple, very good)

Cheesecake (the really thick, weighs a ton kind)

Keylime Cheesecake (tangy and light)

Chili (sooo good on a winter day and Paulo's favorite, he's addicted now, he puts chili on hotdogs and french fries...and now Martien has tried it too, I'm still waiting to see if it killed him in the night, hahah!)

Instant Hot Chocolate (this is that recipe that you get every year and then lose, where you just add hot water)

Cinnamon Rolls (Here you go, Sally, this is the one)

Couscous (now to be honest, this is not just couscous but the sort of sauce/stew thing that goes with it, my soon to be mother-in-law's recipe, twisted for here)

Fajitas (how I do them, there are lots of ways)

Guacamole (gotta have this for the fajitas)

Shrimp Gumbo (a family tradition)

Hello Dolly Bars (these are the easiest bars I've ever come across)

Jambalaya (so many ways to try it, so little time, get going)

Linguini with Clam Sauce (not exactly Texan but really good anyway, and I also included my garlic bread and my salad dressing here for you.)

Black-eyed Peas (nothing in the world like them, especially with fresh hot cornbread)

Salsa - Actually I think this is a little more like Picante, it's not as chunky as Salsa but it's really one of the best I've ever tasted.  This is Zeff and Suchita's recipe and I think you'll love it.

Shrimp a la Martinus (oh man, you must try this, it's a recipe that Mart made up and walked me through and is wonderful!)

Sour Cream Pound Cake (this is great with strawberries and fresh whipped cream...NOT COOLWHIP!!)

Texas Black-eyed Peas and Rice (this makes a killer side dish to barbeque or any kind of picnic)

Poppy Seed Cake (light and lemony)

Tomato Relish (this is fantastic on hotdogs and hamburgers)

Flour Tortillas (really a friend's recipe but can't beat it)

 

Some of my favorite places to go (and I mean in real life) are:

Central Market (this store is positively IT - if you ever make it to Austin, you HAVE to go here)

Travis County Farmers Market (just a good place to buy fresh veggies, locally grown mostly)

Threadgills (What can I say? Great food and history, too. You've heard of Janis Joplin, no?)

 

Some of my favorite cooking links are:

GourmetSpot (this one's loaded with great things, thanks Michelle!)

The Culinary Connection  (another great site from Michelle, it has recipes by category and you can get on lots of mailing lists too)

Bon Appetit (mais oui!)

Epicurious Food (yet another site off the same general place)

The Global Gourmet (thanks, Adie, I love this one)

The Kitchen Link (haha, don't you love that name? This one has tons and tons of links. Thanks, Jerry!)

C ooseman's Worlwide Specialty Produce - a neat site that will show you pictures of those things you may be looking for but have never seen.

Cooking.com Shopping - oh man, HEAVEN!  Anything you need to order you can find here, any equipment, dinnerware, everything, and at better prices than most stores!

....and so many others, I'll add them as I have time.

Click the wheel to go to my home port.

 All corked and bottled messages can be floated to shauna@texas.net.  

This page was last updated on 01/12/02.