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United Tastes of Texas: Authentic Recipes from All Corners of the Lone Star State
There are many things that are big in Wide open spaces, personalities, hair, but above all, there's flavor! United Tastes of Texas is your geographical guide to Texas cuisine based on five distinct culinary Central, Coastal, East, South, and West Texas; as well as the culinary influences brought by settlers from countries including Czechoslovakia, Germany, Mexico, and Spain.
Each chapter starts with a brief history of the region, as well as plenty of interesting facts and bits of history including notes on cooking equipment, stories on local chefs and restaurants that have helped shape each of the regions, and pages of beautiful photography and imagery. But foremost is the 125 recipes featuring traditional and regional-specific dishes and cooking methods including Texan takes on Black-Eyed Peas, Skillet Cornbread, Shrimp Creole, Smoked Brisket, Smoked Tortilla Soup, and one of the most classically Texan dishes - Chicken Fried Steak, just to name a few.
Whether you're a native Texan in need of recipe inspiration, a Texas ex-pat longing for a taste of home, or a culinary adventurer ready to explore the Lone Star State, United Tastes of Texas packs plenty of history, travel, and food into one book!
Each chapter starts with a brief history of the region, as well as plenty of interesting facts and bits of history including notes on cooking equipment, stories on local chefs and restaurants that have helped shape each of the regions, and pages of beautiful photography and imagery. But foremost is the 125 recipes featuring traditional and regional-specific dishes and cooking methods including Texan takes on Black-Eyed Peas, Skillet Cornbread, Shrimp Creole, Smoked Brisket, Smoked Tortilla Soup, and one of the most classically Texan dishes - Chicken Fried Steak, just to name a few.
Whether you're a native Texan in need of recipe inspiration, a Texas ex-pat longing for a taste of home, or a culinary adventurer ready to explore the Lone Star State, United Tastes of Texas packs plenty of history, travel, and food into one book!
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 17, 2024
It’s so good! It’s actually got real southern recipes and real TEX-MEX! I can’t take how good it is, and the author lived in the Houston area so it’s even the specific dishes and style I grew up with! 6/5 stars!
August 3, 2017
Beautiful pictures!!! I have tried several recipes in this book. Monument Cafe Chicken Fried Steak, Corn Bread, Longhorn Green Salad with cilantro ranch dressing. These were all very good. If you ever find yourself in Georgetown Texas just north of Austin, you have to stop by Monument Cafe. I am happy to see James Beard Award winning Houston Chef Chris Shepard featured. His restaurant Underbelly is really good and if you are in the mood for local craft beer and really good afforable food than his Hay Merchant is place you should try.
November 30, 2018
I was already a fan of a similar cookbook, (the Homesick Texan) which I had read years ago in Tampa. Now that I live one state over from Texas I am an even bigger fan of its food and culture, (and food culture).
This book doesn't disappoint. There is a whole chapter on tacos, (who doesn't love tacos?) and the book's recipes are divided by region, (which is especially interesting to me, just how much the culture changes from one region of the state to another).
A fun romp through Texas food culture that any foodie would enjoy!
This book doesn't disappoint. There is a whole chapter on tacos, (who doesn't love tacos?) and the book's recipes are divided by region, (which is especially interesting to me, just how much the culture changes from one region of the state to another).
A fun romp through Texas food culture that any foodie would enjoy!
February 18, 2019
I found a few of the recipes worth making but overall, this is not my ideal cookbook. The book isn't bad at all, just not my taste.
January 24, 2020
I use this cookbook probably 2-3 times a week and every recipe is amazing. They’re all easy to make for the most part and come out excellent.
February 22, 2016
I received this book in a GoodReads giveaway.
When I pulled this cookbook out of its envelope, I loved the cover. There is nothing better than a cookbook with super great photos on how the dish may turn out looking. I quickly flipped through the book just to look at the photos. The majority of the recipe photos enticed me to take another look the accompanying recipes. Therefore, I started at the beginning and worked my way through the book.
Immediately, there were recipes for rabbit and duck - two items that are NOT in my diet plan. I have had rabbit and duck...don't get me wrong. I liked the rabbit that I tried some years ago but I would never personally cook rabbit. I have a hard enough time dealing with steaks and chicken. As for duck, I am not a fan of this meat at all. I have tried it at least 3 times and do not get the "Wow" factor that people have over it. Soooo, I start to wonder if I was totally off about what this book had to offer.
Needless to say and much to my surprise, I was joyfully wrong as I found some wonderful recipes, chefs, and restaurants that I knew which are featured in the book. My favorite chef is Chris Shepherd for Underbelly restaurant in Houston, TX. I cannot wait to try out his recipes as I have not tried anything at Underbelly's that I haven't liked.
The book is sectioned off by Texas regions and the chefs and restaurants are discussed in 1-2 pages. I loved this as it gave the recipes a little more character.
The binding is questionable as my book's binding was already damaged when I received it. It is a fairly large, heavy book. I feel that the binding should have been made as spiral or library bound possibly. Other than that, I adore this cookbook and plan to give it as gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
When I pulled this cookbook out of its envelope, I loved the cover. There is nothing better than a cookbook with super great photos on how the dish may turn out looking. I quickly flipped through the book just to look at the photos. The majority of the recipe photos enticed me to take another look the accompanying recipes. Therefore, I started at the beginning and worked my way through the book.
Immediately, there were recipes for rabbit and duck - two items that are NOT in my diet plan. I have had rabbit and duck...don't get me wrong. I liked the rabbit that I tried some years ago but I would never personally cook rabbit. I have a hard enough time dealing with steaks and chicken. As for duck, I am not a fan of this meat at all. I have tried it at least 3 times and do not get the "Wow" factor that people have over it. Soooo, I start to wonder if I was totally off about what this book had to offer.
Needless to say and much to my surprise, I was joyfully wrong as I found some wonderful recipes, chefs, and restaurants that I knew which are featured in the book. My favorite chef is Chris Shepherd for Underbelly restaurant in Houston, TX. I cannot wait to try out his recipes as I have not tried anything at Underbelly's that I haven't liked.
The book is sectioned off by Texas regions and the chefs and restaurants are discussed in 1-2 pages. I loved this as it gave the recipes a little more character.
The binding is questionable as my book's binding was already damaged when I received it. It is a fairly large, heavy book. I feel that the binding should have been made as spiral or library bound possibly. Other than that, I adore this cookbook and plan to give it as gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
February 27, 2016
Great recipes for any barbeque fans. My husband loves to make his own rubs and sauces and this book is full of terrific tips.
A Goodreads First Reads giveaway that I will use again and again!
A Goodreads First Reads giveaway that I will use again and again!
July 8, 2024
Lots of great recipes!!!! Can't wait to try some!
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March 23, 2016good book
May 2, 2016
Add this to my Amazon wishlist. All the recipes look soooo delicious!
December 23, 2015
**review to come in February issue of Lake Austin Lifestyle magazine***
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews