Author Archives | Christine Gough

Praise The Lard!

In Texas, like everywhere else, there are four main food groups.  Ours are Mexican Food, Barbecued Brisket, Chicken Fried Steak, and Chili. Some would argue that Margaritas and Beer are their own distinct food groups, but they should be considered as seasonings.  You may add more or less of each, to any of the others, […]

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The Fungus Among Us–Mushrooms And Other Smut

The fungus among us–I got that from my dad.  That’s what he used to call mushrooms when I was a kid.  It’s no small wonder that I love them anyway. Not so, my husband.  He will not, I repeat NOT eat mushrooms.  Unless they are battered and fried, and served with cream gravy.  That isn’t saying […]

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The Birds and The Bees of Avocados

Avocados are my favorite fruits. Now, if you are like most people, I know what you’re thinking:  “Avocados aren’t fruit. They can’t be fruit. Fruit is sweet. They must be vegetables, mustn’t they?”  Actually, no. And yes. You see, there are so many theories, opinions, and disciplines involved, that depending on whose viewpoint you are […]

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Treats For Your Sweets

What is more romantic on Valentines’s day than lobster, champagne, chocolate and strawberries?  Here are a few recipes incorporating these ingredients into fun treats for your honey!   Hearts Afire Strawberry Habanero Chocolates 2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries habanero pepper (a piece the size of a nickel) 2 tablespoons liquid pectin 2 cups granulated sugar 3 […]

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Favorite Food Pairs, Fate, and Why The Pioneer Woman Won’t Tweet Me Back

The first time I was cognizant that the Pioneer Woman, a.k.a. Ree Drummond, existed was about two years ago.  A friend told me to check out her blog.  Her what? Honestly, I had no idea what a blog was, but I was captivated immediately.  Hers was the first blog I followed. It wasn’t that her […]

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Simple Isn’t Always Easy

Our great-grandmothers had it easy, right?  They weren’t expected to work out of the house.  In fact, it was largely frowned upon.  They were expected to be stay at home moms, and homemakers. Sweet! And look at us today.  Super-moms.  We rise at 6:00 a.m.and get ready for work.  We get the kids up and […]

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That’s So Corny!

Nothing is more American than corn.  Also called maize by the indiginous peoples of the entire Western Hemisphere, corn has been cultivated for thousands of years.  Its uses then, as well as today, are innumerable. In the movie “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure”, there is a scene where Pee Wee Herman is following a group tour […]

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Meat and Potatoes, and Men With Big Guns

As White-Tail Deer season is wrapping up in the Texas Hill Country and most of the campfires have been extinguished, it is time to reflect on the good times the season brings. Oh, the tall tales that have been told, of the big one’s that got away—the 185 B/C with double drop tines and 10 inch […]

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It’s What’s In The Soup

The composer Ludwig van Beethoven said “only the pure of heart can make a good soup.”   I think that what he meant by that is that you can taste the love that goes into a pot of soup. If it isn’t made with love, then it might as well just be potato water.   […]

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Veni, Vidi, Vichyssoise

  Latin is the known as the “master language”, because it forms the basis for other languages, such as Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, and Italian. And because the Legal and Medical professions have existed since antiquity, much of the professional jargon for both is still heavily influenced by Latin. Since Latin was rumored to be […]

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