Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: Mesquite Wood and Chile Pequíns

Flat Tops and Comals

Tools You’ll Need

Starting a Fire

How to Tell When It’s Done

Grill Seasonings

Tex-Mex Grill Blend

Tejano Pork Rub

Perini Ranch Rib-Eye Rub

Coffee-Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Tex-Maui BBQ Sauce

Ancho–Root Beer BBQ Sauce

CHAPTER 2: Frozen Margaritas and the Cadillac Bar

SMU Frozen Margarita

Classic Shaken Margarita

Watermelon Margaritas

Salty Perro Rojo

Cadillac’s Bloody Mary Bar

CHAPTER 3: Disappearing Skirts and the New Fajitas

Tex-Mex Fajita Marinade

Flatiron Fajitas

Butterflied Tri-Tip Fajitas

Viet-Mex Fajita Rolls

Leb-Mex Fajitas

Black Bean Hummus

Classic Fajitas

Mole-Crusted Fajitas

CHAPTER 4: Meat and Beer in Monterrey

Grilled Rib Eye with Chile Butter

Leg-of-Goat Steaks with Honey-Habanero Glaze

Rack of Lamb with Pepper Jelly Glaze

Grilled Cabrito

Victor Leál’s Leg of Lamb

Tex-Mex Churrasco

Tex-Mex Chimichurri

CHAPTER 5: Backyard Barbacoa and Smoke-Braising

Beef Short Ribs in Ancho-Molasses Sauce

Barbacoa de Borrego

Leg of Goat Barbacoa

Tex-Mex Asado de Puerco

CHAPTER 6: Texas Tailgating and Wild Game

Ancho–Root Beer Hot Wings

Virgin Mary Grilled Shrimp Cócteles

Grapefruit Chicken Fajitas

Grilled Backstrap with Peach Glaze

Venison Sausage

Rick Schmidt’s Bird Poppers

Atomic Deer Turds

Grilled Quail with Cilantro Cream

Grilled Stuffed Peppers

CHAPTER 7: Big Fish and Brown Shrimp

Wild Texas Brown Shrimp

Palmetto Inn Shrimp Fajitas

Grilled Shrimp and Guacamole Salad

John Hamman’s Shrimp Kebabs

Garlic Grilled Oysters

Dorado BLT Tacos

Big Fish Steaks

Republic of the Rio Grande Grilled Tuna and Grapefruit Supreme Salad

Tampico Snapper a la Plancha

Redfish on the Half Shell

CHAPTER 8: Taco Truck Taquitos and Tortaburgers

Taquero-Style Tacos

Filet Mignon Tacos

Sweetbread Tacos

Onions and Cilantro

Tacos al Pastor

Tex-Mex Quesadillas

Norteño Pollo Asado

Tangerine Chicken

Tookie’s Ground Beef

Trevino’s Chile-Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Tex-Mex Burger Patties

Hamburguesa Estilo Monterrey

San Antonio Bean Burgers

Sonoran Hot Dogs

CHAPTER 9: Bicultural Beans and Border Sides

All-American Guacamole

Grilled Tomato Guacamole

Chile con Queso

Tex-Mex Ranch Dressing

Carrot Pepper Salad

Chipotle-Curry Sour Cream

Fajita Chili Beans

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Chile Grilled Pineapple

Waldo Tailgaters Grilled Asparagus

Char-Grilled Squash

CHAPTER 10: Hot Salsas and Pickled Peppers

Grilled Tomato Hot Sauce

Taco Truck Salsa

Homegrown Pico de Gallo

Shaker Bottle Pequín Sauce

Texas Red Grapefruit Salsa

Kumquat and Pineapple Pico de Gallo

Ancho-Raisin Salsa

Pickled Jalapeños

CHAPTER 11: Chile Glossary and Mail Order Sources