El Paso Chile Company's Texas Border Cookbook

One of my most used cookbooks - since I am in "the land of bland" I have to rely on this more than ever. Of special note is the grits recipe - a real winner for any brunch.

After about twenty-five years of looking for a reliable guide to reproducing the tastes I remembered growing up with in El Paso, I found Park and Norma Kerr's book. My search is over. His meat recipes (and his methods) for pork or chicken deshebrada are outstanding, and typical of the entire book. Tamale pie for company and pot beans for home alone! He combines the basically simple (and timeless) ingredients of Border cuisine to yield results which will delight anyone who longs for home cookin' as it was yesterday and remains today from the Franklin Mountains to Houston. Instructions are complete and clear, a pleasure to read and execute. Keep 'em coming, Kerrs.

Texas Borders provides wonderful Tex-Mex recipes that are fairly easy to follow. Some of the ingredients may be difficult to find outside of southwest but substitutions could be made. Specific recipes to drool over are Chili Con Queso w/Crab dip (forget the chips, go for a spoon and bowl)and Blueberry Cornbread (I've only followed the non-blueberry version and a sweeter, more flavorful cornbread I've yet to eat). Hoppin' Juan is a delightful twist to the South's Hoppin' John made with green chilies, black-eye peas, and rice. Not only are the recipes wonderful, but Park Kerr's writing style and humor are delightful and a mirror image of the man himself. I try to go by his shop every time I'm in El Paso -- 909 Texas Ave., I think, (Pecan Praline coffee and his Chili seasoning mix are worth the effort). Occasionally I've had the opportunity of visiting when Park is there. He is very witty and personable. His cookbooks are a wonderful addition to my collection and are very entertaining to read. I've even learned to sear those green chilies straight from the store. I will definitely order his new Sizzlin Suppers cookbook. It should be exceptional also.