Have you heard of The Homesick Texan?? Well, pretty much you need to know her, and her food, and her gorgeous photography both on her website and her new cookbook! Lisa Fain, aka the Homesick Texan, is probably one of the first bloggers I ever started to follow when I jumped into the blogging world. Her recipes are truly fantastic and they are all right up my alley with the flavors and spice and southwestern flair. I’m pretty sure I was meant to live in Texas, at least for some period of my life, because I am all about the Texas style of cooking. So it’s safe to say that when I unwrapped this cookbook, I was pretty much jumping for joy. I read it front to back, twice. And then immediately went to the market to pick up ingredients for a few recipes. They. Are. All. Amazing. Literally, each recipe looks like it belongs in my belly. I’m seriously going to cook my way through this book in the next few weeks.
The Homesick Texan is full of drool worthy recipes from, Cheese Enchiladas, Gorditas with Picadillo, Austin Style Black Beans, Biscuits and Gravy, Chicken Fried Steak and of course Guacamole! And then there are the carnitas. Bring on the carnitas. I’m all about the pig. I like pork pretty much any way you slice it… but I will always have a soft spot for carnitas. And these Homesick Texan carnitas are ah-mazing.
AND… because The Homesick Texan is such an amazing and beautiful book and I don’t think anyone should have to live without it – I am giving away 2 copies thanks to the fabulous people over at Hyperion!
To enter, just leave a quick comment telling me your favorite Texas inspired dish of all times!! Mine – definitely carnitas with a side of spicy guacamole.
For a second entry, What’s Gaby Cooking on Facebook, then return here leaving another comment saying you did so.
The giveaway begins today, Friday, September 16, 2011, and ends next Friday, September 23rd, at Midnight PST. Winners will be announced that evening and then the winners books will be shipped out shortly after.
Here’s the quick link to the book on Amazon too!
Here’s the quick run down on the mouth watering Carnitas from The Homesick Texan Cookbook….
The Homesick Texan Cookbook + Carnitas
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup Orange Juice
- 1/4 cup Lime Juice
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
Instructions
- Place the pork in a large dutch oven with the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin and salt. Add enough water to barely cover the meat. Bring the pot to a boil and then turn down to a simmer and let cook for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, (and by this point your house will smell awesome) turn the heat up to medium high, and continue to cook the pork for 45 minutes, stirring every once in a while, until all the liquid has evaporated and the pork fat as been rendered.
- Once the pork is browned on both sides, it's ready to eat. Taste and season with a little extra salt if needed.
Since I’m from Texas, that one is tough. I love fajitas but then there is cheese enchiladas and for the winter, a good true Texas chili is almost unbeatable. I can’t wait until it gets cooler so I can make a big pot of chili! I guess chili is my final answer.
So hard to choose…probably cheese enchiladas. I would love to have a whole cookbook devoted to Texan style recipes! (I’ve already liked you on fb, if that counts…) 🙂
TACOS.
TAAACOSSSS.
sorry. hello! Tacos!
I agree with you – carnitas are my favorite! I feel like I order them every single time that they are on the menu.
These look amazing. I’m actually making carnitas this weekend for the first time, too. Hope they turn out as well as it looks like these did!
Carne asada. And anything involving guacamole I say YES!
And, I just don’t like you on Facebook, I like you a lot.
When I think of Texas, I think of chili and cornbread- yum!
I big hearty bowl of Texas chili!
And just liked you on FB!
Chicken fried steak!
I live in San Antonio, so…everything? If I had to pick, I would go with brisket…no, breakfast tacos…or queso…fajitas? That question is much too hard!
I’m a salsa fan. Salsa on most anything. Love.
I miss the queso and guac. I’m a homesick Texan that moved to D.C. four years ago for work. We have about 20 former Texans that get together regularly and this would be perfect! We have yet to find Tex Mex here that satisfies our tastebuds.
I liked your page!! But I’m not a good FB user. I’m an excellent Google Reader RSS user!!
I am all about fajitas!! They are absolutely my favorite, with a huge side of guac!!!!
I like you on facebook also!
I’m with you on the carnitas.
Love carnitas, too. Love to top em with something cool – guacamole!
BBQ brisket. Only texans do it right 😉
Carne Asada Tacos are amazing. Come to think of it, any Tex-Mex is great in my book.
TACOS! All kinds 🙂 Especially carnitas!
Cheese enchiladas!! I am so homesick for some good Tex-Mex food, here in South Florida nothing comes close. 🙁
Wow – it’s hard to choose a favorite, but I vote for enchiladas.
I love ground beef tacos and beef fajitas…I could eat them everyday!!
Any kind of taco works for me. I side of bean and cheese dip, margarita and I’m good to go
Any kind of taco works for me. A side of bean & cheese dip, a margarita and I’m good to go
I like you on FB
anything Mexican, but i cannot live without super hot tamales.
I never met a Tex-Mex dish I didn’t like…but chimichangas are probably my favorite 🙂
I just “liked” you on Facebook : )
I have unfortunately never been to Texas. Sadness! Butttt I do love Tex-Mex cuisine. And I think my *favorite* dish would have to be chicken tacos (boring, perhaps; delicious, heck yes)–as long as you promise me they’ll come with a side of black beans and rice and a huge bowl o’ guac. 🙂
And clearly I like you on Facebook! Psh. 🙂
Yum… I’m a huge fan of carnitas, although guacamole comes in at a close second!
And… just “liked” you on FaceBook. ^_^
Queso!!! Queso!!! Queso!!!
Pulled Pork ANYTHING I love, as well as Texas inspired Chilli! Oh and cornbread…mmhm, cornbread with cheddar and jalapenos..
I love cheese enchiladas, but guacamole is definitely my favorite!
I like you on FB
Thank you, Gaby! And even though it might be a while until we’re neighbors, I do look forward to cooking with you soon!
Frito Pie is my all-time favorite! 🙂
Chili!
Kolaches!
I actually adore Texas caviar and its many variations. It’s not common at all here in Australia, and people always rave when I make it as a side dish – it goes well with so many different meals!
Just one? Carne Asada.
I like you on Facebook.
not sure if it’s “texan” per se, but cheese enchiladas!
and i already like you on facebook 🙂
Guacamole! Actually the reason I started following your blog is because you love guacamole as much as I do 🙂
I’ve been craving a good burrito lately. Where I used to live (a small city out in the middle of West TX), there were several little Mexican places that made nothing but burritos… *amazing* burritos. Served up with some salsa verde and Mexican cokes (the kind in the glass bottle, with real sugar) and spicy tamarind candy for dessert. I miss it so much. We still live in TX, but much nearer to Louisiana. The trade-off for having better seafood & Cajun goodies is a distinct lack of authentic Tex-Mex.
I’m going with brisket right now but that could change at any moment! I LOVE Southwestern cuisine!!!