Jaymes

Hiya Martha - and welcome to Austin. There has been some considerable discussion on this topic further down in the Texas, etc., thread, under "Texas Hill Country." Among other things, I linked to an Austin American-Statesman that discussed the late-night options at length. Barton Springs Road (which goes into Zilker Park) is informally dubbed "Restaurant Row," because there are a great many Austin eateries there, including Chuy's, Shady Grove, Green Mesquite BBQ. Since you're renting a car, I'd very strongly suggest you drive the 25 or so miles south of Austin down to Lockhart and visit Smitty's. And do post something in "The Hill Country" where other ACL participants have been chatting.

I'd track her down. 30 years is a long time. You can tell her that you've never gotten that sauce out of your mind, and that if she will please give it to you, you swear on everything that's holy that you will never give it to a single other living human. By now, it could be that she's loosened the reins a little. And since you don't live in the same state anymore, she wouldn't have to worry that her "special sauce" recipe would be all over the neighborhood in a matter of hours. As far as a "smooth" sauce goes -- remember that most anything (like chunks of tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc.) can be processed, blended; or most likely, strained, with whatever doesn't go through being ground up in a food mill. My personal favorite tomato sauce recipe does just that. It calls for salt pork, carrots, celery, and a bunch of other stuff. But after it's simmered and strained, and then run through a food mill, it's impossible to pick out any particular ingredients.

but what good is a label if you can't insult people with it? But Tommy. As I said, I DO have a handy insult: you FADDIST you!

I just consider the meaning of "foodie" to be "someone interested in food." A food hobbyist. With no moral value judgment attached one way or the other. And I am one. And I wear the label proudly. The first time I ever heard "foodie" used as a pejorative was from that annoying elitist, Jim Leff. And I refuse to let him dictate my definitions. If I want to speak in derogatory terms about someone that follows all the latest fads and trends, there already exists a perfectly good insult I can use: "food-faddist." It means just what it sounds like.

I loved Big Al's Sunset Dinner Cruise. If it's still running, you can book it in the lobby of the Krystal, where you should at least stick your pretty little head into Bogart's Restaurant. It's the most gorgeous and romantic place. On the Sunset Dinner Cruise, they take you back into the canals where the rich folks live with their speedboats and sailboats and yachts parked right out the back door. That was the best part. It's a real eye-opener. Also, the Jungle Tour is interesting.

Recent Picture of me. No Brad Pitt, but hey... Smile! I guess "elmo" ain't going... Looks like somebody killed him. (That was weird.)

This is a true story. I don't know if it would be practical for everyone, but it worked for me. The last time I had a "broken heart," was some thirty years ago. I discovered my beloved back in a bedroom making out with a stewardess at a party we had attended. I dumped him. But it was difficult. I still loved him. And I kept running into him everywhere. And we had the whole "who gets the friends" thing going on. It was very unpleasant. So I packed up and moved to Hong Kong. By myself. On the plane, the absolutely astounded middle-aged woman sitting next to me simply could not get over the fact that I was moving to Hong Kong. Where I knew no one, had no job, was not certain even where I would live. "What on earth would possess you to do such a thing," she asked. "Well," I answered, "Because it's a hell of a lot easier to forget about someone when you're landing at Kai Tak Airport." The end of the story is that six months later he flew to Hong Kong and got me, and we got married, and stayed married for 25 years. At which time, I finally wised up and left the shit for good.

When I've got the blues, I go buy a brand new, expensive cookbook that I've wanted for some time, but haven't allowed myself the luxury of purchasing. And then I get totally engrossed in selecting one or two new recipes to try. But just in case I can't work up the energy to hit the kitchen, I also buy some really good, decadent stuff that doesn't require any cooking. Like good cheeses and pates and caviar and smoked salmon - stuff that makes me feel like I'm treating myself to the sorts of things rock stars demand in their limos. For one thing, stuff like expensive cheese and pate is too expensive for me to buy for two. But I can easily afford it just for myself. And it cheers me right up.

Hey, cool! Just no better feeling than knowing someone enjoyed something you suggested. Thanks for telling me! And sometimes I use corn flour, sometimes cornmeal. Doesn't seem to make a lot of difference - they're good both ways. A dash of Tabasco, or Tapatio or Marie Sharp's is good, but they're good plain as well, as you found out. Thanks again for taking the time to let me know. Girlfriend.

I was raised in a Southern family. My grandmother made cornbread in a hot cast-iron skillet to which bacon drippings had been added. This cornbread was never sweet. I always thought that only Yankees added sugar to their cornbread batter. But lately, I've read where "sweet cornbread" is a "Southern Thang," like "sweet tea." And recently, a friend told me somewhat rudely that "only you Southerners have to put sugar into everything -- nowhere else in the country is the food so sweet." (Clearly she has not spent much time dining in Vermont.) So I want to know about sweet cornbread being "Southern." Is it?

I'm planning on taking a laptop and filing reports from "el camino." what's connectivity like in mexico? no clue as to how telmex and any others have the country wired. So Caroline, yanking ourselves away from slim guapo beachboys for a moment - How IS the country "wired." Are there "internet cafes"? Will we be able to "file reports from our laptops" without difficulty?

...pearly white teeth flashing against smooth mocha skin. Yum. You'll have to read my novel when I get it finished.

We'll be the judge of that. Right girls???? Post photos on this thread and we'll get back to you.

Y yo tambien...Chica. And Helena - don't worry. We'll steer well clear of any desperados.

Well, I've heard that some of the more remote highways can be a little dangerous, but I'm not sure THAT'S necessary. Hummm... I guess that makes ME the "cochera designada."

Ay, Pobrecita.... Maybe next time we'll rent a bus.

Looking for a good, cheap table wine? World Market has been putting Yellow Tail wines on sale for $4.99 on recent weekends. I've tried the merlot, the shiraz, and the cab. I think they're darn drinkable. Very very good for the price. In fact, stunningly good for the price.

I keep individually frozen fish fillets in the freezer. I usually buy them from Sam's or Costco, and they come in big bags. The orange roughy is particularly good. And I also keep jars of Herdez salsas - red & green, and Timpone's or Mom's pasta sauces in the pantry. So on busy nights, I put one or two of the fish fillets on the baking sheet of my toaster oven, top with either the salsa or pasta sauce, depending on whether or not I'm in an Italian or Mexican mood, and bake for about 10-15 minutes. This is really, really good, quick, easy, healthful, and it gives you your protein, which many "quicky" meals do not. If I'm doing the "Mexican" version, I also throw an ear of corn into the microwave - do absolutely nothing to it - just throw it in there husks and silks and all - and cook for about 8 minutes or so. Then, I'll also open a can of refried beans, and toss a salad and heat up a tortilla or two. If I'm doing the "Italian" version, I'll boil a little pasta, and then toss it with some evoo and garlic and maybe an egg yolk, little cream, parsley, etc., al la Pasta Carbonara, to serve as a side dish. With this, I'll toss a salad and heat up some garlic bread, either "American-style" made with garlic and butter; or bruschetta - Italian-style garlic bread made with garlic, and olive oil instead of the butter. Both of these meals are really good. In a pinch, I've even made them for last-minute dinner guests.

or situations where heavy sweaters wipe the sweat off of their foreheads w/peppered hands! And don't change baby's diapers or you will get no sleep at all tonight.

I'm planning on taking a laptop and filing reports from "el camino."

Yeah, I know. I have a friend that calls it, "Guana-what-in-the-hell-am-I-doing-here-to"

So the girlfriends are up for a roadtrip! I'm going with three friends, fun gals all. And I know what you're thinking, and no you can't go too. The car is full!!! But all of you that post so eloquently here on the Mexico boards, we're soliciting your advice. We're planning on going around January 5th or so, and staying about 10 days to two weeks. We'll be entering Mexico at Nuevo Laredo, and probably exiting at Nuevo Progreso, although no final decisions have been made. Cities along the route include Monterey, Saltillo, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Zacatecas, Queretaro (where I have friends). Any thoughts? Advice? What should we look for? What should we not miss? What should we take with us? What should we avoid? Caroline/Rachel is in Guanajuato, and is planning some outings for us. And we are actively seeking suggestions.

What a great post. Thanks for taking the time to share that wonderful information. I am planning on driving to Mexico for a couple of weeks this January with some girlfriends - StellaBella, HelenaS, Vanessa. We're going to enter at Nuevo Laredo, and head for the hills. Guanajuato (where we're hooking up with Caroline), Zacatecas, SMA, Queretaro. Any advice? Actually, I think I'll start a thread about it right now, and I sure hope you contribute! Oh, and abrazos back atcha.

Mama's Fish House.

Welcome! And your salad looks delicious. Thanks.