Ranch-style Cooking

While my family is on vacation, I have been doing a lot of reading. One of the books is Don Strange of Texas: His Life and Recipes.  I have been curled up in the leather armchair in the great room at my grandparents' ranch, reading fabulous recipes and interesting biographical tidbits about this famed Texas caterer.

I have especially loved reading it here because he catered our wedding at this very ranch.  Each recipe brought back the delectable tasting menu we sampled at his Don Strange Ranch outside of San Antonio.  Genius. And so Texan.

Prickly Pear Margaritas, Caprese Skewers, Mango, Brie and Avocado Quesadillas--these are just a few of the clever takes on Texas cooking.

My favorite part of the book, however, was reading about Strange's own history, from working in his parents' grocery store to becoming a premier foodie all with guts and bravado that can only come from Texas.  For example, I love the story of his trips to San Franciso and New York with his wife to learn about "gourmet cooking" and broaden his horizon.  The director of the McNay Museum in San Antonio, for whom Strange catered many events, sent them to a famed New York restaurant with a sommalier.  They did not even order wine they were so intimidated, and his wife ordered a whisky sour because it's all she'd heard of. 

Another great story was his invitation to do a barbecue for the NFL commissioner at his New York estate.   When local New York butchers couldn't provide as much beef as Strange required, he had to freeze the side of beef in Texas and take it on the plane with him to New York.

The personal anecdotes combined with the brilliant recipes make this a fantastic and fun read.
Don Strange of Texas: His Life and Recipes