July 2001 Issue

On the Cover

Lance Armstrong Has Something to Get Off His Chest

As he readies himself for this summer's Tour de France, the two-time winner is battling allegations in Europe and elsewhere that he uses performance-enhancing drugs. He insists he is clean. But proving that is turning out to be one of his toughest challenges yet. He doesn't use performance-enhancing drugs, he insists, no matter what his critics in the European press and elsewhere say. And yet the accusations keep coming. How much scrutiny can the two-time Tour de France winner stand? A lot—which is a good thing, since he's heading back up that hill again.

Features


Sober

More than a decade ago I wrote about the virtues of the drinking life and the comforts of what I called a “bar bar.” Then I hit rock bottom. It’s been eight years now since I took my last drink—and I’m finally ready to tell the rest of the story.

Farmers’ Markets

Here is a list of Farmers’ markets in the major cities that have in the past carried heirloom tomatoes. Bear in mind that availability depends on the weather and how much recent demand there has been.AUSTINArmadillo Farmers’ Market 301 W. Riverside Drive Open Wednesday 3 p.m.–6 p.m.; April–DecemberAsian American Cultural

Columns


Media

Liberalism Lives!

In a state that's becoming more conservative, two young editors at the Texas Observer are reenergizing a magazine that won't leave the left behind.

Health

Battle Plan

A Dallas epidemiologist has made it his mission to learn the truth about Gulf War Syndrome, even if he has to fight the government.

Art

Image Conscious

Meet two prominent Houston artists who are at the forefront of digital art—and the debate over what virtual reality means for reality itself.

Business

Boss Perot, Jr.

He made his name in real estate, but now Ross Perot, Jr., is running the computer services company that bears his family's name—and taking care of business with his father.

Travel

Nether Lands

Forget about getting down and dirty. Take a trip into one of Texas' show caves, where the beauty of going underground is on full display.

Reporter


Web


Pat's Pick

Go Fish

Here’s a game to play while snacking on edamame and perusing the menu at Kenichi: How many shades of black—not counting the patrons’ clothing—can you spot at this sleek new sushi bar in downtown Austin? Although the look, by architect Dick Clark and designer Tonya Noble, is the essence of

Recipe

Honey-Ginger Applesauce

1 ounce (1 heaping tablespoon) fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped 2 serrano chiles, coarsely chopped 1/4 cup lime juice 1/4 cup orange juice 1/8 cup tequila 3/4 cup honey 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, toasted (see directions above, with pork loin recipe) and ground zest of 1 lime 1/4 teaspoon

Recipe

Five Bean and Red Onion Salad

1/3 cup red-wine vinegar 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves only 1 shallot, minced 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1 cup baby yellow wax beans, blanched for 3 minutes and plunged into cold or ice water 1

Recipe

Crudites and Sauce Aioli

Aioli20 garlic cloves 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt 6 eggs pinch white pepper pinch cayenne pepper 2 1/8 cups extra-virgin olive oil juice of 1 lemonnote: True French sauce aioli, a garlicky mayonnaise, is made by hand because the aggressive action of a blender or even a whisk compromises the

Recipe

Grilled Lobsters With Summer-Vegetable Slaw

Vinaigrette for Slawjuice and zest of 2 lemons 1/4 cup cider vinegar 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard 2 tablespoons honey 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepperIn a large mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients and set aside.Slaw1 red bell pepper, julienne cut 1 yellow

Recipe

Peach Swirl Vanilla Ice Cream

Peach Purée8 to 10 ripe peaches 1/2 cup sugar juice of 1 lemonBlanch peaches for 2 minutes. Remove from boiling water and plunge into ice water. Peel, cut in half, and remove pits. Place peaches in a saucepan, barely cover with water, and add sugar and lemon juice. Simmer over

Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Brined Pork Loin

3 tablespoons whole black peppercorns 3 tablespoons whole cardamom seeds 3 tablespoons whole coriander seeds 3 tablespoons whole comino seeds 3 tablespoons whole fennel seeds 10 cascabel chiles (a dry chile with a smooth, dark reddish-brown skin, about 3 inches long) 3/4 cup honey 1 stick canela (similar to cinnamon

Recipe

Mashed Maple-Cascabel Sweet Potatoes

6 cups peeled and cubed raw sweet potato (1/2-inch cubes) 2 1/4 teaspoons coriander seeds about 7 cascabel chiles, depending on size, enough to make 1 generous tablespoon ground chile (cascabels are smooth-skinned, dark reddish-brown chiles about 3 inches long) 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon real maple syrup 1 generous

Recipe

Heirloom Tomatoes and Texas Mozarella

4 large or 6 medium ripe tomatoes2 pounds Texas mozzarella (available at some Albertson’s, Central Market, Tom Thumb, and Whole Foods stores or by mail from the Mozzarella Company, Dallas, 800-798-2954 or mozzoco.com).kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to tasteapproximately 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)fresh

Recipe

Texas Blueberry Shortcake

Blueberries2 pints blueberries, preferably Texas-grown 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup Grand Marnier 1/2 cup strawberry preservesPick through and wash berries and dry on a clean kitchen towel. In a mixing bowl, combine berries, sugar, vanilla extract, and Grand Marnier. Let macerate for 20 to 30 minutes.

Books That Cook

Books That Cook

The goal of every Junior League is to awaken its members to the community in which they live, to provide avenues and training for volunteer service, and to encourage lifelong participation in community affairs.The statement above appears in the forward of the Houston Junior League Cook Book: Favorite Recipes, which

Texas Tidbits

Texas Tidbits

Want to go out for a cocktail? That can be a fuzzy proposition depending on where you live.

Web Exclusive

Breaking Away

The story behind this month's cover story, "Lance Armstrong Has Something to Get Off His Chest."

Web Exclusive

Special Session

How our story on the best and the worst legislators got started and how to make it on the list.

Web Exclusive

Winged Evaders

Catching a bat emergence when Mother Nature isn't cooperating can be a sticky situation. Just ask me.

Web Exclusive

Cover Boy

Texas Monthly‘s new 25-year-old art director talks about visual design and what makes a cover image.

Web Exclusive

Tropical Paradise

Jeff Henry believes his new Schlitterbahn on South Padre Island will be a success. It just might take a while—but, hey, that's okay.

Miscellany


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