Texas Monthly

Texas Business Report: Dell May Go Private

The company's stocks shot up thirteen percent on news that CEO Michael Dell might work with private investors to buyout shareholders.

How Texas Tackles Gun Control

State politicians propose solutions ranging from arming teachers to praying for protection.

Texas Wine of the Month: Pedernales Cellars Tempranillo Reserve 2010

This year kicks off with a Tempranillo for Texas Wine of the Month. By now, you should be fairly familiar with the prevalence of this grape. It’s turning heads in Texas blends (McPherson Cellars La Herencia) as well as in single-varietal wines (Inwood Estates Vineyards “Cornelius” Tempranillo). This month, we

Happy 40th Birthday To Us

A sneak peek of the cover of our fortieth anniversary issue and an important announcement regarding the future of TM Daily Post.

Scientology Versus Author Lawrence Wright

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s new book on Scientology, Going Clear, arrives on shelves today amid a swarm of controversy.

Bexar County Public Library Will Be Entirely Digital

Announced a judge who himself has 1,000 first editions in his personal library.

Uchi Houston Sous Chef to Replace Uchiko’s Tim Dornon

Last week, we reported that Tim Dornon, chef de cuisine of Uchiko, was leaving the Uchi establishment to join Paul Qui’s newest restaurant, QUI, as a chef consultant.Just a day after the news broke, Philip Speer, culinary director of Uchi, revealed to Eater Houston that Page Pressley, sous

Texas Spirits: San Antonio’s Jeret Peña Dishes on Texas Cocktails

On heels of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference—a national four-day conference modeled after the likes of the New Orleans’ Tales of the Cocktail event that brings together bartenders from around the country to learn, taste, and talk everything cocktail—I had a chance to catch up with local craft bartender

Perry will deliver State of the State address on Tuesday; is it his last?

And what will he say? He will no doubt take credit for the flourishing economy and the things that contribute to it: low taxes, low spending, a favorable regulatory climate, and a judicial climate that is hostile to lawsuits. He will touch on his legislative priorities; in particular, the fetal

SAEN: DNC finance chair Munoz’s career marred by fiscal debacle

The San Antonio Express-News has a story today by columnist Gilbert Garcia about Munoz’s experience in handling a project called Museo Alameda. (Garcia, you may recall, wrote a well-received book about the 1976 presidential primary in Texas called Reagan’s Comeback.) I don’t think Obama would be cheered by the

VIDEO: Johnny Football’s Latest Unbelievable Performance

It may not be as high-stakes as the Alabama game or Cotton Bowl, but Johnny Manziel’s video with basketball trick shot specialists Dude Perfect is still jaw-dropping. 

The Dallas Cowboys as the Oakland Raiders

Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman wonders when Jerry Jones will "will trade in his designer suits for a set of silver-and-blue warm-ups," a la former Raiders owner Al Davis.

“Battleground Texas”

I have long been a skeptic about the prospects for revitalization of the state Democratic party, but recent developments call for re-evaluation. For one thing, the new finance chair of the Democratic National Committee is Henry Munoz III, of San Antonio. Some of his fundraising is likely to benefit

License to Thrill

Texas considers requiring strippers to be certified.

Where You Should Be Eating Right Now: Our Picks For the Dozen Best New Restaurants in Texas

Once a year, I sort through my dining notes and come up with a list of my favorite dining spots of roughly the past twelve months. We modestly call the resulting story, traditionally published in February, “Where To Eat Now.” On its face, it is an honor roll of the

Campbell, Davis draw two-year terms

As a result, Donna Campbell will have a very short time to get adjusted to the Senate before she has to defend her seat in a Republican primary. A four-year term would have solved that problem. Several members from San Antonio are thought to have their eyes on the seat,

The Explosion of Texas Filmmakers

The number of Texas-based filmmakers at Sundance proves that our vibrant filmmaking community is thriving.

How Texas Public Schools Teach the Bible

With a largely Protestant bias, according to examples culled by the Texas Freedom Network.

Bum Steer: The Judge Who Facebooked Johnny Football’s Speeding Ticket

This is no way to revive The Battle of the Brazos: Ennis municipal court judge W. Lee Johnson, a Baylor alumnus, was publicly reprimanded for his none-too-subtle post about the A&M QB’s apparent moving violation.

Uchiko Chef de Cuisine Tim Dornon joins the team at QUI

Numerous Texas artisans honored at Good Food Awards in San Francisco

A myriad of Texas artisans and culinary businesses were recognized at the Good Food Awards Ceremony in San Francisco this weekend. The ceremony was hosted by well-known food activist Alice Waters.In the beer category, both Independence Brewing Co.‘s Convict Hill Stout and Jester King Craft Brewery‘s Boxer’s

The Dallas Stars’ Special Guest: “Manti Te’o’s Girlfriend”

The Stars' first game of the lockout-shortened NHL season was an announced sellout, but at least one seat in the American Airlines Center appeared "empty," as the team had a little fun with last week's biggest sports story.

The way politics ought to be

I’m not a regular reader of RedState.com, but I was struck by the piece Erick Erickson posted late yesterday about President Obama and his second inauguration. The headline of the column is “The Loyal Opposition,” and I’d like to take the liberty of posting it here in its entirety:Congratulations

Our Top Ten Most Read Stories of 2012

Secession, Aggies, and artists: the Texas stories y'all wanted to read and share in 2012. 

Houston bar OKRA Charity Saloon gets a mention in The New York Times

Yesterday, The New York Times featured a story on a new breed of bars popping up around the United States: charitable bars. The newspaper noted that a “new generation of beer halls dedicated to something beyond the cash register is cropping up around the nation and the world, with

Fourteen Pictures of Rocks that Look Like Food

Robstown retirees have been exhibiting their rock dinner spread since 1983. It never gets old.

Four Texas Ranch Houses and Hunting Lodges

The latest installment of Lone Star Listings, our new recurring feature that highlights beautiful, historic, and interesting properties and homes around the state.

Recommended reading: John Weaver on the future of the GOP

This article appeared in RealClearPolitics last week. Scott Conroy writes about Texas Republican consultant John Weaver’s concern about extremism in the Republican party: For Republican operatives who believe their party’s core has taken a self-destructive turn to the far right — and that the GOP must recalibrate significantly in

Will JC Penney Ever Be Successful Again?

Despite shaking up the department store chain's corporate leadership, the Plano-based retail giant continues to suffer.

SXSW: Stratfor CEO Gets “Mic Checked”

During George Friedman's first public speaking appearance since his company was hacked by Anonymous, occupy protesters interrupted a panel he hosted at SXSW, calling him a private spy who worked for wealthy corporations. 

Perry Admits He Wasn’t Prepared to Run

Rick Perry dropped by the CNN Grill at SXSW where he told Peter Hamby that "the idea you can just stroll in there and be in the mix and be successful ... is a bit of a stretch."

Brooke Rollins: The American Dream is Alive and Well in Texas

The Texas Public Policy Foundation's president on the direction of the Republican Party of Texas and what it's like to be one of Ronald Reagan's "happy warriors." 

Carrot Purée

From FT33, in Dallas.

Wood-Grilled Gulf Oysters With “Casino Butter”

From Boulevardier, in Dallas.

Pear Upside-Down Cake

From Chris Shepherd, the chef-owner of Underbelly, in Houston.

Agua de Sandía

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.¾ pound watermelon flesh (about 2 ½ cups), seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes1 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons fresh lime juiceBlend watermelon, sugar, and 1 ½ cups water until smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour into

Coctel a la campechana

Recipe from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.4 ounces raw red snapper, cut into 1/2-inch cubes1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion3/4 cup fresh lime juice, divided 1/2 cup thinly sliced octopus (cooked as below)4 medium shrimp (cooked as below)1/2 cup

Totopos

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.1 ½ cups corn oil8 regular-sized corn tortillas, each cut into 8 triangles salt to tastePlace a medium cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, and preheat to bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes. Working in batches, fry tortilla

Salsa tarasca

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.1/2 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds),      roasted 1/2 cup peanuts, roasted 4 medium tomatoes, roasted, peeled,   coarsely chopped 2 medium tomatillos, husks removed,   roasted, coarsely chopped 2 chipotle peppers in

Salsa de tomatillo

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.4 medium tomatillos, husks removed,   coarsely chopped1 serrano pepper, stemmed 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion ¼ small bunch cilantro ¼ teaspoon kosher salt Place tomatillos, pepper, garlic,and onion

Salsa de ajo

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.8 to 10 guajillos (long, reddish dried    chiles), stemmed, seeded,    reconstituted with enough water to    cover (reserve liquid)2 dried chiles de árbol, stemmed,   reconstituted 6 garlic cloves, peeled, roasted 1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion 1

Hugo’s salsa mexicana

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.½ small white onion 2 garlic cloves, peeled 2 serrano peppers, roasted, peeled,   stemmed ½ small bunch cilantro, divided in half 6 medium tomatoes, roasted, peeled 1 ½ teaspoons kosher saltPlace onion and garlic in a food

Tacos de Pescado

Fish tacos, the way Houston chef Hugo Ortega makes them.

Tlacoyos

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.For the refritos (refried beans)2 cups dry black beans, well rinsed and    picked over ½ small white onion, quartered,    plus another whole onion, finely    chopped 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt

Paletas de hielo de frambuesa

This recipe is from Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico cookbook. Find several more recipes from the book here.1 cup granulated sugar4 pints fresh raspberries1 tablespoon fresh lime juicePlace a saucepan over medium heat and add sugar and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, about 4 minutes. Stir in raspberries and

Life by the Drop: A Special Report on Drought, Water, and the Future of Texas

TEXAS MONTHLY partnered with StateImpact Texas and KUT News to take a close look at how the state can manage a growing population amid a shrinking water supply. Listen to reports from NPR’s John Burnett, Texas state photographer Wyman Meinzer, and more audio and online reports.

Austin Tweets

What a day in the Twitter life of Austin Mahone is like.

Miles and Miles of Texas

The Hill Country Drive, the BBQ Market Drive, the Backwoods Drive, and thirteen other summer trips, from the mountains to the coast, that will take you down some of the prettiest, most picturesque, most wide-open stretches of asphalt Texas has to offer. Buckle up!

The Writes of Spring

Robert Caro on LBJ. Marcus Luttrell on war. Douglas Brinkley on Walter Cronkite. James Donovan on the Alamo. Steve Coll on ExxonMobil. Ben Fountain on a surreal Dallas Cowboys halftime show. Dan Rather and Sissy Spacek on themselves. For some reason, May has turned out to be a month like

Okame Spinach Salad With Miso Aioli

From Justin Yu of Oxheart, in Houston.