netrover

Ok, I finally tried one of the recipes. My wife and I got tired of waiting for our tomatoes to ripen, so she went to the store with three chili recipes in hand, planning to get the ingredients for the recipe according to what was most readily available. (The plan was for her to buy, me to cook)... Anyway, she came home with the stuff for Terrie's chili. Three and a half hours later, I had my first truly home-made chili. With all the peppers in it, I half expected to have an experience not unlike that of gastrotex. Not so in the least. It was truly outstanding. To put "outstanding" in it's proper context, I've lately been going to the Texas Chili Parlor, which is kind of an institution here in Austin. Needless to say, they specialize in chili, and it's good. Well, Terrie's elevated my chili experience to a whole different level. Since I'm more or less a novice in the kitchen, I can't really tell you why it's so good; it just is. Try it... I'm still looking forward to trying Holly's modification of Chasen's chili. To be continued...

Thanks, Jaymes, (You might be right) but I'm still gonna check out Acapulco Video. Was in the vicinity last week (when I went to La Michoacana), and noticed ads (billboards) about food at Acapulco Video. So, who's scammin' who?

Nah, I only explode if I forget to drink the beer that neutralizes the gas! Not a likely scenario.

Thanks, Foodie52.

Terrie, For sure, I will try it. It'll be a while, though, since my garden is not yet producing tomatoes. I promise to report back on any recipe I try...

Oops. My bad. From now on I promise to not speak of which I know naught!

Picadillo = pico? Picadillo is not a term I often hear, so I'm just guessing that it's short for the ubiquitous pico, which is basically a tomato and chili pepper relish that goes on nearly everything Mex.

Foodie52, Here it is (from Fat Guy's long article at the beginning of this thread) La Michoacana Carneceria 1917-1 E. Seventh Austin, TX (512) 473-8487 I can also tell you that there's plenty of intriguing stuff there. For sure I'm going back...

Fat Guy, On the strength of your recommendation I tried La Michoacana today for lunch. Too bad my Spanish is so rusty! So I only got what I could reasonably identify. I ended up with their "lunch plate" consisting of a large serving of fajita, refried beans, rice, and six corn tortillas. That's the makin's for six tacos, folks. All for $5.68, the best lunch value I've had in a long time. Next week I'll brave a trip to Acapulco Video and attempt to scam them out of some ceviche. If your New York persona is what worked against you, I'll give them my best slowww-talkin', Texas drawl. I'll report back next week...

I haven't had migas in a while, but I think Magnolia cafe serves a decent plate, two versions in fact. Next time I go to Las Manitas for lunch, I'll give their migas a try. I work downtown, so it's a ten minute walk for me...

Gastrotex, I salute you! Funniest stuff I've read in a long time...

Thanks, Ron. But no, I didn't say I drink 1.5 liters every night. I said that's the size of the bottle!

Wine experts, please don't flame over this, but I need help in finding an inexpensive red wine that gives at least the semblance of satisfaction. I don't have a lot of discretionary funds to blow on wine. Almost every evening I wind down the day with red wine, currently a $6 Chianti (Livingston brand, 1.5 liters). It actually tastes ok to me, but it goes down like lemonade. Consequently, I drink too much too fast. Now, if I could find a wine for twice the price, but I would drink half as much due to its being richer and more satisfying, I would definitely go for it.

Thanks, Crunchboy. I'm losing my fear to add chocolate to the chili. But peanut butter?

Slicing carrots the long way, the knife rolled off a carrot and cut deeply into my middle finger. A trip to the emergency room got me into stiches. Why? The attending doctor was a young lady named Dr. Pepper. Oh, yeah, turns out I severed a nerve. My finger tip is now numb forever. Farewell to guitar strumming days...