James Cristinian's Profile
Shrimps not "smooth" after boiling (or poaching) for shrimp cocktail
Is this where the legs are attached to the shrimp? I seem to remember this happening in the past, but not frequently. I like your choice of the big shrimp, as so many regard a cocktail shrimp as the puny ones. I've never poached shrimp, only boiled, but the last time I did 10-15's I boiled them for 3 minutes and let soak for 5 minutes. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast and am lucky enough to get Gulf shrimp at a local chain supermarket, but have no problem buying previously frozen. The only time I buy fresh is off the boats that come in daily off Galveston, to me fresh frozen is just as good. I'm not sure the of defrosting methods used at the store, I'll have to ask.
Shrimps not "smooth" after boiling (or poaching) for shrimp cocktail
A few questions come to mind? How long do you cook them. What size are they, and not medium or large, but the count, as in 10-15 per pound,16-20? Where do they come from, farm raised, Gulf, etc?
Book Recommendation for Mexican Food Afficionados
The TexMex issue is discussed by Robb Walsh in this blog on his website.
http://robbwalsh.com/2011/03/tex-mex-is-like-rock-n-roll/
He also shows how Tex-Mex was started by Tejanos, not whites, and how the Diana Kennedy's of the world inspired dislike of the food. There is a link to his books, including his Tex-Mex Grill and Backyard Barbaco cookbook. Check out his website, some interesting stuff, not just Tex-Mex.
How to store fish fillets and fish steaks in fridge?
Here's what I do, rinse filets, put in a plastic bag in a collander then a larger bowl, and cover in ice. As the ice melts, it drips into the bowl, where you can replace the ice and empty the water. There is no better way to keep it cold and prevent water from getting to the fish. It works great for shrimp too. I'd keep it no more than two days, up to four if I catch it myself.
Why do foodies like the McD's Filet o' Fish?
That's kinda like my wife does her fish sandwich at Whataburger, the Whatacatch. She gets it like a regular burger, with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pickles, no cheese. My filet of fish is a double filet, and no cheese. Do other parts of the country have double fish? It showed up around Lent, and is a much better deal than doing it my old way, buying two and making a double, throwing away one bun.
Hello Houston - I need help!
Thhere's also this Eye-Talian place just north of the Woodlands. Looks good to me http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-05-03/restaurants/aldo-s-cucina-italiana/
I STILL love living in Houston!
Next Saturday, the East End Street Fest will be on Harrisburg. This is right up my alley, small, I eschewed the I Fest mainly for the walking, (coming off an Achilles rupture), plus the ridiculous pricing, and went to Galveston instead. This looks good, small, local, food, drinks, live music, we're there. Anybody else?
http://www.greatereastend.com/east-end-street-fest
Randall's Fried Chicken
Kroger's does a good fried chicken, and it doesn't have the thick batter you mentioned, that is the two I've tried, the Echo Lane store, and the Westview/ Wirt one. I mentioned Brookshire Brothers chicken, and will add why we find Hempstead a destination. We get off US 290 at Hockley, and take Business 290 through Waller, Prairie View, and the on to Hempstead, with zero the stress of 290. Just on the right before Hempstead is Krolzyck Meats with the Exxon pumps out front. They have a small meat/sausage market along with a delicious sausage on a bun cooked in on of those hot dog rotissierie cookers. Twice I've seen Union Pacific railroad crews stop their train and cross the highway for the sausages. We get extras for leftovers. After that is Delorio Farms, good for in summer season vegetables and melons. Then there is Hempsted Fried Chicken, just really good chicken owned by a nice young couple. If anyone is in the area, throw them some business. Next door is Brookshire Brothers Grocery, very good, and not heavily battered. Finally, the real jewel in Hempstead is the Texas DPS office, where a wait can be from 0-20 minutes. Last time we went I took the wifeacita to Navasota for antiques, but Brenham and Bellville are aslo short drives.
Why do foodies like the McD's Filet o' Fish?
Actually I like filet of fish better than halibut. I don't think halibut has much flavor, unless it has the artisanal sauce you mentioned. Halibut and flounder are for people who don't like the way fish tastes.
ROCKPORT TEXAS
Good to hear the Crab'N is still going strong. I forgot to warn you that Rockport rolls up the sidewalks 9 pm ish, even on weekends. Obviously you made it in time. I love Rockport, but here's a dirty secret, the fishing is better in Galveston (don't know if you fish), and Matagorda destroys.
Crawfish
This is good information Lambsy, thanks for taking a bullet for the local team. This has Woodrow's written all over it. "Service" cannot describe what I had my last three trips there. I'm going to miss the old Mardi Gras Grill. On a happier note, I just got back from Galveston/Surfside, a new post will follow.
Crawfish
Unless something has changed, Mardi Gras has outdoor seating, and today is a perfect day. They also have great fried oysters, and oysters Louisanne, poached in wine and butter. Oh no, I just Googled the menu and see that Woodrow's owns them. I have vowed to never set foot in Woodrow's following back to back to back disastrous service, each getting worse. Let's hope they haven't screwed this place up.
http://www.mardigrasgrill.net/menu-falsh.html
California Mexican vs. Tex Mex?
Here's a 1940's San Antonio Tex-Mex menu. Just scroll down a bit. OsoAndZoe5, chalupas are on the menu, and check out the menu for a newer version of Tex-Mex, with many old dishes anchoring the menu.
http://elrealtexmex.com/tex-mex/
California Mexican vs. Tex Mex?
First, chimichangas are not Tex-Mex. Having said that, HEB is not the place to go for masa. I've been to San Antonio a few times, but I must admit I don't know the city well. It has a huge Mexican American population, and I know it must be like Houston in that are myriad small grocers and tamale places in the neighborhoods, much as you described back in California. On the flour tortillas, my wife's family is from the Rio Grande Valley, 85 porciento Hispanic, via Guadalajara. We took some fresh flour tortillas from Kroger, of all places, down there and they were a huge hit. I'm not sure about blogs, but local food critic/author Robb Walsh and Tex-Mex restaurant part owner, has a cook book and history of Tex-Mex.
http://robbwalsh.com/books/book3/
Walsh does have a link to a Tex-Mex blog on the book link. A local place, El Tiempo, does an insanely good nacho with jumbo lump blue crab, but we get the beans on the side, just cheese, crab, and jalapenos. To me, good nachos are like pizza, the fewer toppings, the better. Here's a link to my favorite Tex-Mex place, El Tiempo, run by the sons of locally famous Ninfa Laurenzo, best known for making fajitas popular across the good ol' USA. The prices may look high, they are, but the food will feed small armies.
http://www.eltiempocantina.com/
California Mexican vs. Tex Mex?
qbnboy90, everything you described like taco trucks, meat markets, carnecerias, seafood places, ostionerias, we have in spades in Houston. In my area, they are on virtually every street corner. Tamales are available in all shapes and sizes. Where and when were you in Texas? I eat a lot of Tex-Mex, it's not greasy or fried, with the exception of carnitas, which are excellent at many places. Sounds like you got a hold of some crappy Tex-Mex, which definitely does exist, just like bad Chinese. If you're ever in Houston, I can steer you to a bunch of good places.
What are you favour 3 cuisines?
Uh no, they did not cook Tex-Mex for their many children. What is your point?
What are you favour 3 cuisines?
ginger, I'm fifty something and never saw a chimichanga on a Houston Tex-Mex menu until relatively recently. Burritos go back just a bit farther. I saw an old menu from San Antonio in the 40's I believe, but after a thirty minute search, I cannot retrieve it. There was not a burrito or chimichanga in site. I associate chimichangas with Cal-Mex. I did pull up this from a local food historian on Tex-Mex.
http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-07-03/news/temples-of-tex-mex-vintage-restaurants/
What are you favour 3 cuisines?
I like Texas Tex-Mex. The only Tex-Mex I've had outside Texas was at a ChiChi's. This was truly horrible food, a cheap imitation, kinda like a TV dinner. By the way, there is plenty of below average Tex-Mex down here, but also really good stuff if you know where to look, especially in the old Mexican American neighborhoods, such as Houston's east side.
What are you favour 3 cuisines?
What would you call my wife's parents who came here from Guadalajara?
Food Network Does It Again
At some places you have a choice of bread or crackers. Many small stores and butchers sell homemade white bread, call me a rube, but I love the stuff.
ROCKPORT TEXAS
I haven't been to Rockport in more than five years, but always enjoyed the Crab'N near Aransas Pass. For a change of pace, Panjo's Pizza in Rockport has some of the best pizza I've had in Texas. Limit the pie to one topping or plain cheese. Avoid at all costs The Big Fisherman.
Fresh, wild seafood market- Katy or Houston
Yes, check out Louisana Foods just off N. Post Oak barely outside the 610 Loop. They have a seafood market/deli open 10-3 M-F daily, and I think if you call ahead they can have any commercial fish available for you. Total Catch is open on Saturday mornings depending on the catch.
http://www.louisianafoods.com/
http://totalcatchmarket.blogspot.com/
Read the entries on Total Catch to see what has been available, and what may be available in the future. It's all luck of the catch.
Food Network Does It Again
Yes, but making homemade mayonaisse can give them confidence to making a more complicated dish than a simple ham sandwich, I'm sure you've heard the term can't boil water. I think the same could apply to a ham sandwich, a marinara sauce, or even a hamburger. Go ahead, have another laugh at my expense, and those that can't cook, or are afraid to cook. [Edit] Yes I know making a sandwich is not cooking, it is food preparation, but I see people at work that won't make their own lunch, and shell out 9.50 for a crummy Jimmy John's sandwich with chips. Ten dollars would make a weeks worth of ham sandwiches, with homemade mayo.
Top Chef: where are they now (ongoing)
I never liked smug Edward Lee, I'm pulling for Paul all the way in his region. I'd like to see a Texan win given the vitriol pointed to the state by some. :-)
Food Network Does It Again
This came from the quick and easy recipe section, as many cookbooks have as you have pointed out. I think few of the typical crowd of Food Network bashers noticed that the first ingredient is homemade mayonnaise, and if you read the recipie it requres at least moderate preparation. Not everyone has the chops to be a gourmet or advanced cook, and this recipie and many others as paulj said can introduce less talented to the world of food, much as, gasp, Rachel Ray has done with her Thirty Minute Meals.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/homemade-mayonnaise-recipe/index.html
What are you favour 3 cuisines?
It wasn't all fun in the sun for US servicemen. The 8th Tactical Fighter Wing with three squadrons of F4's launched strike missions and dueled with MIGs. The 8th flew out of Ubon Royal Thai Airbase, back in the day, as you say. My two favorites are the much looked down upon Tex Mex and fresh Gulf Coast seafood, oysters, fish, and shrimp.
Best food when you're sick
I'll bite on an old thread. This reminds me of Granny of the Beverly Hillbillies surefire cure for the common cold. Drink her concoction, get lots of rest, and in a week to ten days you'll be better. I had swine flu a few years ago, one day I had BBQ, I live in Texas, and another pizza, and was well in a week or so.
I Refuse to Eat Crawfish in a Restaurant
Unless ya'll are paying of course, and dammit, this may be a rant but, two days without a post on the Houston board deserves something. Prices of seven and eight bucks a pound are criminally insane. I just bought six pounds at HEB, plus spices and enough corn and potatos for the wife and I to eat with our lunches through Wednesday. The price was twenty- four dollars, half of a resturant price, plus no tax, twenty percent plus tip, all with less than a dollar a can Modelo Especial from the fridge. Now, it's time to finish my wife's hair highlights, yes?!, and boil the crawfish.
In Praise of the Fish Sandwich
No good fish should be eaten on a sandwiih with lettuce and tomato masking the flavor. Down here on the Texas Gulf Coast, I catch speckled trout, redfisn, and flounder and would nver consider putting them on a sandwich. There is a place by the beach in Surfside that does a fish po boy with whatever is fresh, usually ling or red snapper. I get it plain and eat the fish separately, adding a couple of fried shrimp shrimp and oysters.
