]).
* * *
Candied Grapefruit Peel
Candied grapefruit peel adds sunny perk to the Christmas season. For many Texans, it's as essential as an egg at Easter.
Peels from 3 grapefruit, in large pieces
SYRUP
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
¼ cup light corn syrup
Sugar
Makes about 3 cups
Place the grapefruit peels in a saucepan, and cover them with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the peels are soft. Drain the peels, and remove the bitter white pith with a paring knife, leaving just the skin. Slice the peel into thin strips.
In a heavy saucepan, bring the syrup ingredients to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and add the strips of peel. Cook the strips until they become translucent, about 40 to 55 minutes, depending on their thickness.
Remove the strips with a slotted spoon, and drain them. Sprinkle a thick layer of sugar onto a large plate. Spoon the peel strips onto the sugar, and toss them with a fork to coat them evenly. Transfer the strips to a large sheet of waxed paper, and allow them to dry, which takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Serve the peel, or store it, covered, at room temperature. It will keep at least 2 weeks. Pint or half-pint jars packed with candied peel make pretty little holiday gifts.
Mail-Order Sources
The following companies represent only a fraction of the businesses that make and sell products useful in Texas home cooking. The recent explosion of firms in the specialty food market makes it impossible to cover everybody. This list ranges broadly in scope, addressing most needs, but it includes only well-established companies that we've personally found superior.
Sources with Extensive Product Lines
El Paso Chile Company
909 Texas Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79901
915-544-3434
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Chiles, chili fixings, chips, condiments,
salsas, sauces
D.L. Jardine's
Post Office Box 18868
Austin, Texas 78760
800-544-1880; 512-295-4600
Catalog
MasterCard, Visa
Chili fixings, chips, condiments, dressings,
jams and jellies, nuts, salad dressings,
salsas, sauces
K-Paul's Louisiana Mail Order
Post Office Box 23342
New Orleans, Louisiana 70183
800-457-2857; 504-731-3590
Catalog
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $15
Condiments, cookware, sauces, smoked
meats, spices
Specialized Sources
BARBECUE AND OUTDOOR COOKING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
Pitt's and Spitt's
14221 Eastex Freeway
Houston, Texas 77032
800-521-2947; 713-987-3474
Brochure
American Express, Discover, MasterCard
Visa
CAKES AND CHEESECAKES
Collin Street Bakery
401 West Seventh
Corsicana, Texas 75110
800-248-3366; 903-872-8111
Brochure
American Express, Discover, MasterCard
Visa
New York, Texas Cheesecake, Inc.
Route 2, Box 220
LaRue/New York, Texas 75770
800-225-6982; 903-675-2281
Catalog
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
CANDIES
Lammes Candies
Post Office Box 1885
Austin, Texas 78767
800-252-1885; 512-835-6794
Brochure
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Peanut Butter Warehouse Pantry
100 Twentieth Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
800-845-5949; 409-762-6308
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $15
Windmill Candy, Inc.
6310 Genoa, Suite C
Lubbock, Texas 79424
800-955-6501
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $10
CHEESE
Mozzarella Company
2944 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75226
800-798-2954; 214-741-4072
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
CHILES
Don Alfonso Brand
Macondo Corporation
Post Office Box 201988
Austin, Texas 78720-1988
800-456-6100; 512-335-2370
Catalog
MasterCard, Visa
Stonewall Chili Pepper Company
Post Office Box 241
Highway 290
Stonewall, Texas 78671
800-232-2995; 512-644-2667
Catalog
MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $20
COFFEE AND TEA
La Crème
6211 Denton Drive
Dallas, Texas 75235
214-352-8090
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
Minimum mail order, 1 pound
CORNHEAL AND FLOUR
Adams Milling Company
Route 6, Box 148A
Napier Field Station
Dolthan, Alabama 36303
205-983-4233
Price list
No credit cards; checks accepted
Arrowhead Mills
Post Office Box 2059
Hereford, Texas 79045
800-749-0730; 806-364-0730
Catalog
MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $5
San Antonio River Mill
Post Office Box 18627
San Antonio, Texas 78218-0627
800-627-6455; 210-662-9732
Catalog
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
White Lily Foods Company
Post Office Box 871
Knoxville, Tennessee 37901
615-546-5511
Brochure
Prepaid orders only
CRAWFISH
Caddo Creek Crawfish
Post Office Box 8
Frankston, Texas 75763
903-876-4123
Prepaid orders only
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Frank Lewis' Alamo Fruit
100 North Tower Road
Alamo, Texas 78516
800-477-4773; 210-787-5971
Catalog
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
Love Creek Orchards
Post Office Box 1401
Medina, Texas 78055
210-589-2588
Brochure
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
S. M. Jacobson Citrus
1505 Doherty
Mission, Texas 78572
210-585-1712
Brochure
Prepaid orders only
GIFT BASKETS
Capitol of Texas Provision Company
6701 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78757
800-375-2198; 512-451-2198
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
JAMS, JELLIES, AND PRESERVES
Das Peach Haus/Fischer and Wieser
Route 3, Box 118
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624-9301
800-369-9257; 210-997-7194
Order form
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Faye's Texas Naturals
Post Office Box 116
Goliad, Texas 77963
800-231-3293; 512-645-3136
Brochure
&n
bsp; No credit cards; checks accepted
Minimum mail order, two jars
New Canaan Farms
Post Office Box 386
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
800-727-5267
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
MEAT AND GAME
B3R Country Meats
Post Office Box 374
Childress, Texas 79201
817-937-3668
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Natural beef
The Native Game Company
Post Office Box 1046
Spearfish, South Dakota 57783
800-952-6321; 605-642-2601
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
$10 surcharge on orders under $75
Southwest Texas Quail Farm
Post Office Box 159
La Pryor, Texas 78872
210-365-4354
Price list
Prepaid orders only
Texas Wild Game Cooperative
Post Office Box 530
Ingram, Texas 78025
800-962-4263
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
NUTS
The Peanut Hut
Box 314
Highway 6 West
Gorman, Texas 76454
817-734-2776
Catalog
MasterCard, Visa
San Saba Pecan Inc.
2803 West Wallace
San Saba, Texas 76877
800-683-2101; 915-372-5727
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
SALSAS, SAUCES, AND OTHER CONDIMENTS
Brazos Country Foods
700 South Bryan Street
Bryan, Texas 77803
409-775-1611
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Cafe Serranos Salsas
1608 West Sixth Street, Suite 200
Austin, Texas 78703
800-285-5002; 512-322-9900
Brochure
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Fredericksburg Herb Farm
Post Office Drawer 9271
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624-0927
800-259-4372; 210-997-8615
Catalog ($2, refundable with first order)
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
Minimum credit card order, $ 15
La Martinique Salad Dressings
Luzianne Blue Plate Foods
640 Magazine Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
800-535-1961; 504-524-6131
Prepaid orders only
Mcllhenny Company
Tabasco Country Store
Avery Island, Louisiana 70513
800-634-9599; 318-365-8173
Catalog
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Ro-Tel Tomatoes and Green Chilies
Knapp-Sherrill Company
Donna, Texas 78537
210-464-7843
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
Tastes of the Southwest
Post Office Box 131731
Tyler, Texas 75713
903-597-0546
Catalog
Prepaid orders only
Texafrance
Post Office Box 162462
Austin, Texas 78716
512-339-9412
Brochure
Prepaid orders only
Travis County Farmers' Market
6701 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78757
512-454-1002
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
Minimum credit card order, $25
SMOKED MEAT, FISH, AND POULTRY
Greenberg Smoked Turkeys
Post Office Box 4818
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-595-0725
Brochure
MasterCard, Visa
Guadalupe Smoked Meat Company
1299 Greune Road
Boerne, Texas 78130
800-880-0416; 210-629-6121
Catalog
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
Kreuz Market
208 South Commerce Street
Lockhart, Texas 78644
512-398-2361
Call for price information
Prepaid orders only
Hans Mueller Sausage
2459 Southwell
Dallas, Texas 75229
800-777-2793; 214-241-2793
Catalog
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
New Braunfels Smokehouse
Post Office Box 31159
New Braunfels, Texas 78131
800-537-6932; 210-625-7316
Catalog
American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Pickwick Catfish Farm
Highway 57
Counce, Tennessee 38326
901-689-3805
Price list
MasterCard, Visa
Pietsch's
Post Office Box 192
Yoakum, Texas 77995
800-456-8204; 800-999-6997; 512-293- 3541
Catalog
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
Ranch House Mesquite-Smoked Meats
303 San Saba Avenue
Menard, Texas 76859
800-749-6329; 915-396-4536
Catalog
American Express, Discover, MasterCard,
Visa
Acknowledgments
Cookbooks are much more fun than broths because they can't be spoiled by too many cooks. You just gather a gang and play with food. At least we did.
One of our best times was a four-day barbecue blow out with PJ and Wayne Whitworth. We cooked and ate a good fifteen hours a day, relieving the inevitable stress with an array of medicinal fluids. Lots of people stopped by, then and at other times, to bend their backs—or elbows, at least—with us. Ed Reid brought the cabrito and his bewildered wife, Ellen Bradbury, who had only thought she knew her husband before then. Bob and Lisa Wade told tales tall and sometimes—probably by accident—true. Gayther Gonzales stayed too sober to sing, but Susie's spirit danced anyway. Rob Coffland and Mary Kahlenberg added their good taste to the crowd, and so did Frances and Gene Poteet, Dorothy and Tommy Hicks, Cindy and Jim Turner, Terry Melton, Herbie Mann, Cindy Graves, and Susan Curtis. Finally, by the end of that summer, even John Loehr, the aging pig farmer, hobbled in with the support of the spry Sally Martin to claim a plate and proclaim his point of view.
Many other people shared skills and insights. Most of those who furnished recipe expertise are acknowledged where their contributions appear, but we want to extend special thanks to Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, Dick and Susanna Clark, Shirley and Richard Jones, Irene Martinez Garcia, Karen Erxleben Weiner, Lois Gilder, Ruth Bauer, Carol Haugh Brejot, Gloria Bledsoe Goodman, Jason Griffin, Jayne Bridges, Kay Morse, Betty Alters, and Julie Brueggeman. Lula Mae Austin, who probably never needed a recipe in her life, allowed us to peer over her shoulder in the kitchen. Years before, Betty Shannon assisted in a similar way.
W. Park Kerr, Paula Lambert, Nancy Gerlach, Kathy Reeves, Dr. Jimmy Keeton, John Richard, Paula Garcia Jones, and Art Pacheco aided us with product information, and Seva Dubuar was a particularly invaluable and informed advisor about meat. Bruce Shaw, publisher, and Dan Rosenberg, editor, spent hours on the phone counseling us on a range of issues concerning the book. Linda Ziedrich ably oversaw the editing of the manuscript. Diana Clark helped with everything except the writing, providing support, contacts, and ideas that were essential to the project.
Other than Diana and Seva, our most important allies were other authors, notably the ones who penned the Texas cookbooks and other resource works listed in the bibliography. We thank them all, but especially the ones below who gave us permission to use their recip
es and words:
Red Caldwell. Ol' Red's Barbecue Sauce from Pit, Pot, and Skillet Copyright © 1990 by Don D. Caldwell.
Heritage Society of Austin. The Driskill's 1886 Room Chocolate Sheet Cake from Austin Heritage Cook Book. Copyright © 1982 by the Heritage Society of Austin. Permission granted by Elaine V. Mayo.
International Chili Society. Wick Fowler's Lazy-Way Chili and C.V. Wood's World's Championship Chili. Permission granted by Jim West.
W. Park and Norma Kerr. Kerr Family Masa Biscuits and W. Park Kerr's Chicken-Fried Steak from The El Paso Chile Company's Texas Border Cookbook. Copyright © 1992 by W. Park Kerr, Norma Kerr, and Michael McLaughlin. Permission granted by W. Park Kerr.
Ninfa Laurenzo. Ninfa's Green Sauce, Ninfa's Fajitas, Chicken a la Fajitas, and Ninfa's Marinated Onions. Recipes copyright © by the Rio Star Corporation for Ninfa's Mexican Restaurants. Permission granted by Richard P. Holgin.
Rosalea Murphy. Steak Dunigan from The Pink Adobe Cookbook. Copyright © 1988 by Rosalea Murphy.
Sam Pendergrast. Sam Pendergrast's Old-Time Texas Restaurant Chili from Zen Chili: The Real Terlingua and Other Boondoggles, third edition in progress. Copyright © by Sam Pendergrast (Post Office Box 2431, Abilene, Texas 79601).