Cook Like the Homesick Texan
I spent the last seven years living away from Texas – that’s right, got back as fast as I could – and there were times, especially in smallish Missoula, Montana, that the best restaurant in town with Texas food was certainly our kitchen.
That wouldn’t have happened without Lisa Fain, a Dallas (born) and Houston (raised) native exiled to New York City who has run the Homesick Texan blog since September of 2005. “One of the most revered food blogs anywhere,” says TM contributor June Naylor.
With Fain’s help, I never had to buy flour tortillas at the supermarket. And while it wasn’t quite the same without the Longhorns (or, more accurately this past season, the Horned Frogs), my wife turned the Homesick Texan’s steak fingers with jalapeno cream gravy into the perfect BCS game meal.
Eat My Words asked Fain – a Texas Monthly reader since the age of 9 – a few questions in connection with our “Cook Like a Texan” package.
What’s the first thing you want to eat when you come home?
The first thing I eat when I return is always Tex-Mex. There’s a place by my Mom’s house in Houston that has the best enchiladas verdes, which are stuffed with carnitas and Monterey Jack, smothered in a tomatillo and poblano salsa and topped with avocado slices and sour cream. Chips and green sauce, flour tortiilas, refried beans and Mexican rice complete the meal.
And what would your last meal be?
My last meal would be the above, but I’d also like to add a chicken-fried steak served on the side with bowls of cream gravy, chili and queso, and a slice of my Grandma’s chocolate pie for dessert.
Your personal favorite of the 10 dishes we featured in the magazine?
My favorite on the list is chili, though chicken-fried steak is a close contender. When I was growing up in Texas, we ate both at least once a week. But I’d say that chili takes the edge because while you can find decent chicken-fried steaks in restaurants, I find chili is always better when it’s homemade. Plus, I enjoy arguing with people about why Texas chili is superior to all others. And when I serve my chili to non-Texan friends in New York, they tend to agree.
Your “how the hell did we leave that out” dish?
There were a few dishes that could have been on the list, such as pinto beans, refried beans, pecan pie, peach cobbler, flour tortillas and queso.
Fain’s The Homesick Texan Cookbook will be published by Hyperion this fall.
- Jason Cohen
DessertForTwo says:
I’m so glad you featured this lovely Texan! Many homesick Texans turn to her for their comfort food and we are never disappointed!
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urnotfromtexas says:
I’m a homesick texan and I love Lisa’s postings! Would love to see her as a regular contributor to the magazine!
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Mari Lindsley says:
This homesick Texan living in Bozeman, Montana misses her beloved Texas, too! I’m probably the only Montanan subscribing to Texas Monthly.
Through the Homesick Texan blog, we finally perfected beef fajitas. Thanks y’all!
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Mary Lata says:
I am a texas girl stuck in New England and I love homesick texan blog. I have made several recipes.
I will be buying her cookbook
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Holly says:
Living in Austin, I don’t suffer like the homesick. Nevertheless, I love Lisa Fain’s blog. I admire her quest to keep cooking until she gets it right.
Dittos on her list of what all you left out.
May I add? Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
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Julie says:
One of the best food blogs that easily stands out in the forest. I drool over the food via the outstanding photos. While I am not much of a cook these days, I have already pre-ordered the book on Amazon.
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SomeGirlinBklyn says:
Yet another homesick Texan in NYC who’s been following Lisa for years. Through her I was able to finally recreate Love Dip (miss Central Market so badly), find another person who’s actually heard of buttermilk pie outside of TX and all the other things she’d make that I didn’t even realize I missed until I’d see her posts.
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Carol Schwaner says:
Now living in Scottsdale and they don’t know what Tex Mex is. So sad. Do have a place called TexAz that has great chicken fried steak and other TX dishes
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Carol Schwaner says:
And Blue Bell ice cream too!
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Stephen says:
Years ago Texas Monthly published an article about the best Tex-Mex restaurants outside of the US. Great article (including sidebars from the restaurant owners on the difficulties they had getting the proper ingredients). Might be a good time to revisit that subject.
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Shirlee says:
Had to stop my Texas Monthly when exiled to Nashville then New Orleans! Made me TOO homesick! Best Tex-Mex is in our kitchen here… Thank God we can get Ranch Style Beans!! Hubby makes the best cheese enchiladas! Soooo miss Central Market and Market Street! Always go to Blue Goose or Uncle Julio’s when in town!
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Don in Leander says:
If ever exiled out of Texas for any extended length of time, I wouldn’t leave without learning how to make proper and authentic cheese enchiladas. I’m craving enchiladas if I’m out of state for a week.
When I visit my sister in Helena, Mt, I’m always tasked with making chili. Fortunately they usually have elk and deer meat handy. I’ll be sure to tell sis about Lisa’s blog and upcoming cookbook.
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Wes Sprague says:
I am a transplanted Texan living out on Long Island and have been a big fan of Lisa and her blog for many years. She is authentic, creative and very clever to boot. I am looking forward to her cookbook and always enjoy reading about her travels and experiences.
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Don Stevens says:
Keep up the great blog, Lisa. It means the world to an Oregonian friend of mine that is a Texas transplant, one that you know very well.
Being from the Mid-west I can only try to imagine the delicious descriptions that you weave.
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