The El Paso Chile Company’s Texas Border Cookbook
By W. Park Kerr, Norma Kerr
William Morrow Cookbooks
1st edition © August 17, 1992
$17.65, 288 pages
My sister in-law gave me the El Paso Chile Company’s Texas Border Cookbook
In addition to the 13 chapters of recipes, the cookbook also includes an Introduction as well as an informative section about the must have ingredients in the El Paso pantry. The Kerr’s give us a brief history lesson on the Chile Company’s roots as well as the geography of El Paso del Norte—the pass of the north. They claim that
El Paso blends Texas, New Mexico, and old Mexico into a cultural cocktail that seems very much the best of all possible worlds. Texans think we’re New Mexico. New Mexico thinks we’re confused.
There’s no confusion here. The recipes use mostly fresh and authentic ingredients. I do admit that I haven’t made every recipe in the book (a challenge I may take up this year), but I’ve made many of them. Among my favorites are the Chiles Rellenos (my husband’s favorite), battered-dipped cheese-stuffed long green chiles, and the Spanish Mission Chicken, a dish that’s linked back to the area’s long history of Spanish Missionary work (I think, the 15 century).
Pico de Gallo, a recipe from the old Tigua Indian Cultural Center Restaurant (once the smallest Indian reservation in North America), is my dad’s favorite. He eats it straight out of the bowl as his main meal. The Sopa de Pollo is a crowd pleaser (great for large gatherings) and my daughter’s favorite (and everyone in her office). We all love the Frijoles Refritos and the Calabacitas con Crema (sautéed zucchini with green chiles and cream). My all time favorite (I hide some when I make it) is the guacamole. The Peach Cobbler and the Border Brownies are awesome as well as the irresistible 1-1-1 Margarita. We all love the enchilada recipes and many of the side dishes. The list is endless.
The El Paso Chile Company, at one time, had specialty stores in the local malls, and you could pick up many of the salsas, seasonings, and frozen drinks. My sister in-law sent us the frozen margarita buckets once a year for a while. Eventually, the Chile Company morphed into the Desert Pepper Trading Company (read about it here), and she sent us jars of salsa (yes, we quickly gobbled them up). Buy Desert Pepper Trading Company products here.
If you’re a lover of southwestern cuisine, the El Paso Chile Company’s Texas Border Cookbook
I’ve never ever made every recipe in a book and I doubt I ever would. I don’t have that sort of mind – something new pops up and that’s what I want now. 🙂
this Texas Border cookbook would make a great gift – for myself or maybe someone I like a lot 🙂 Thanks for the scoop!
Your sister-in-law was so thoughtful in giving you this cookbook and welcoming you to the family by making sure you could re-create some of your hubby’s favorite Tex-Mex dishes! How wonderful!
I always love finding new cookbook recommendations. Thanks for sharing this.
I have always wanted to take on the challenge of making every recipe in a book, ala “Julie and Julia.” I think my family would be happy if I just tried a few, haha! This book sounds like it has some great recipes. What a thoughtful gift!
What a precious book for you to have and using it to make your family wonderful El Paso meals. I am sure you will pass this book on or make gifts to pass to loved ones who enjoy these recipes.
What a wonderful gift. i have one of my mom’s favorite cookbooks with many of the recipes you used when I was growing up. Its a great way to share family favorites and pass them down.