Houston Classic Mexican Recipes: Recipes from Favorite Restaurants

Erin Hicks Miller
Pelican Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781589808959
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (1/11)


There is an abundance of Mexican food restaurants in Texas, from traditional, to interior, to Tex-Mex. Houston is one city that certainly holds its own against others when it comes to Mexican food; so, if you are a lover of this ethnic cuisine, “Houston Classic Mexican Recipes” is a good cookbook to have.  It definitely didn’t disappoint me.

For the purpose of this review we are asked to test three recipes.  I decided for the first one to make “Chicken Tortilla Soup” from Pappasito’s.   Pappasitos’s is a well-known Mexican food restaurant and their soup is to die for.  The soup I made was delicious and probably is very similar to the one in the restaurant.  It has a gentle kick from the jalapeno and the broth is very delicious.  The recipe makes a large pot of soup therefore making leftovers.  In fact, we liked the “next day” soup better than the first day.  It seems like the flavors married and provided a more delicious dish.

The second recipe I tested was “Steak Burrito” from Chuy's.  Known for its funky atmosphere (e.g., in Austin they have a clothes line on top of the roof with actual clothes hanging on it) and good food, there is always a waiting line.  The recipe is simple to make and was very delicious. The only issue may be getting the roasted hatch green chilies unless you make your own.  This item is seasonal and I always buy several bags and freeze them. 

The third recipe I made was “Mango Jicama Salad” from 1308 Cantina.  I had no idea the salad was so simple to make because it certainly looks exotic in the photograph.  The dressing of orange juice, salt and pepper was delicious.  I really think it was the fresh ground pepper that added to the taste.  As well, I sprinkled dry chili powder on top to give the salad a little zing.

The rest of the recipes look very simple to make and most of the ingredients can be found in a kitchen pantry or at the local grocery store.  There is nothing exotic, yet the presentation makes the dish look like it is.  The compilation of recipes in “Houston Classic Mexican Recipes” by Erin Hicks Miller is one of the best I’ve seen. This cookbook is a keeper!

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