Fellow Patriots Fans - I need good Tex-Mex recipes....

[Sufi Marmot]

First of all, as a long-suffering Patriots fan, allow me to revel in the fact that we are truly living in the Golden Age: A brilliant but low-key head coach. A new stadium. A decent, LOCAL owner who is committed to success. A quarterback who consistently wins games. An accurate kicker. Superbowl XXXVI. Superbowl XXXVIII?

(Hey, I endured the 6-10 seasons, the 2-14 seasons, the Dick McPherson era, the Ron Meyer era, the Orthwein administration, Tony Eason, Scott Sisson, Kraft vs. Parcells, Hartford?, Irving Fryar, and 46-10. You're damn right I'm going to enjoy this moment while it lasts...)

Best. Season. Ever. (So far...Houston awaits...)

Now, down to important business: The last two times the Pats have been to the Superbowl I have made jambalaya because the game was held in New Orleans. In fact, my award-winning jambalaya may have been the reason the Pats beat St. Louis, at least that's my theory... ;-) This year the game is in Houston and I have no idea what to make - per tradition, it has to be something more or less native to Houston. I think something Tex-Mex is the way to go, unless there's some other Houstonian cuisine I'm unaware of. Any suggestions? What's the "Superbowl Food Meme" in New England this year? Anyone have any good recipes?

-SM, expatriate Patriot

[HuckleB]

1. Here's a great one, with a few others that you can connect to...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_16129,00.html

[HuckleB]

2. And one more:

DIRTY BIRD
category: Tex Mex/Spicy Foods

1 small can, chipotle peppers
3 garlic cloves, plus 2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch ground cumin
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup Mexican chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup onions, chopped
2 boneless chicken breasts

In a blender or food processor, add the chipotle peppers, 3 garlic
cloves, chicken stock, oregano, cumin, salt, and Mexican chocolate.
Blend well.

In a frying pan add butter, remaining chopped garlic, and chopped
onions, sauté for 5 minutes. Add chicken breasts. Cook until almost
done. Add sauce to pan. Reduce the heat and cook until sauce is thick.

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

[Sufi Marmot]

4. What is "Mexican Chocolate"?

I suppose I should have added the disclaimer that my cooking skills are marginal and I have little knowledge of food esoterica. Somehow I muddle through, though...Thanks to both of you for the responses!

-SM, who is wondering whether "Mexican Chocolate" is like baking chocolate...Mmmmmmmm...baking chocolate....

[HuckleB]

5. It's a dark, bitter chocolate with cinnamon.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mexicanchocolate.htm

I've used canned mole sauce with that recipe, too. It turned out just as good.

[NewHampster]

3. #1 According to Yahoo

http://www.pappasitos.com/

http://www.biggreenegg.com/archives/2002/messages/21839.htm

from the above site: Cook it hot and fast like a steak. As soon as the bacon looks right it is done. I make something similar with oysters instead of shrimp. It is quite good.

[Sufi Marmot]

6. A kick for East Coast people...

n/t

[Loonman]

7. I want to chicken-fry some steak

But working with that much oil makes me nervous.

[PVnRT]

8. How could leave out Steve Grogan?

Worst passer of all time on Tecmo Super Bowl...

[Sufi Marmot]

9. Steve Grogan was an early childhood hero of mine...

Grogan was the first Pats quarterback I remember watching - he was never a superstar, but he was a tough SOB who played hurt and would sacrifice his body for the team. And he had an arm like a cannon - I definitely remember all those long passes to Stanley Morgan. By the time of our first SuperBowl, his knees were pretty shot and he was past his prime...Still, he was well-respected in New England - I remember the "Grogan's Heroes" signs at Foxboro...

-SM

[Ishoutandscream]

10. Good luck. But you can never duplicate good Tex-Mex

up north. It would be like us Texans attempting to make excellent clam chowder. It's in the blood down here.

I hope you are successful. But come on down for some excellent Tex-Mex.

[Ilsa]

11. How about grilling some great steaks?

Put a seasoned steak rub on some ribeyes, grill them over charred mesquite. No steak sauce needed! Yummy!

Here's my favorite new dip for tortilla chips:

Texas Caviar

Drained and rinsed black beans (heat them to kill anything dangerous from a can, then cool)
drained and rinsed corn
half a large purple onion, finely chopped
one jalapeno (or more) seeded and minced (I prefer the jarred ones)
three large tomatoes chopped
two avocadoes chopped
chopped cilantro, about half a cut
Tbsp of minced garlic
salt and pepper
juice of one lime

combine all ingredients, chill serve with corn tortilla chips.

PS, I'm in south Texas.

[GOPisEvil]

12. Make quesadillas.

Have several choices available. Just search www.foodtv.com for "quesadillas" and get some suggestions.

[VelmaD]

13. Make chili

If I can get her to part with it I'll get you my best friend's recipe for homemade chili.

Your other option if you wanta be authentically Texan is to make frito pie. You can get fritos up there can't ya?

Or hell, my best friend and I are about as Texan as it gets and all we do on game days is make hot dogs and burgers on the grill and make some nachos to go with them.

[HuckleB]

14. All the recipes you could ever want.

http://www.texmex.net/Recipes/recipes.htm

[GOPisEvil]

15. *snarf* Why engineers should not write cookbooks.

From the bright folks at my alma mater, I give you Texas A&M chocolate chip cookies: http://www.texmex.net/Recipes/chocchip.htm

Great link! :D