Inside My Table #59 | Contents
ExcerptOn the coverShelly Atkinson is a Canadian-born artist who resides in Truro, Nova Scotia. A self-taught artist, she is well known for her whimsical greeting cards, calendars and rug-hooking patterns. This is her first cover for My Table magazine. See more of her work at http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/s.atkinson. |
28 REHASHED: FIRST YOU MAKE A ROUX
There is only one constant in gumbo-making: First you make a roux. The roux — a cooked flour-and-oil mixture — acts as a thickening agent for the stew and, more importantly, lends an unmistakable flavor. Otherwise, anything goes … seafood or wild game, chicken or sausage, spicy or tame. You don’t even have to use okra, the pod-like vegetable that originally gave gumbo its name.
Recipes by Dan Tidwell, Denis Wilson and Randy Evans
Photos by Kim Coffman
32 RECIPE FOR LOVE
The pages of your favorite cookbooks offer many helpful hints for adding zest to food — and, it seems, spice to a plain-vanilla love life. Seen through the eyes of our ribald reporters, “grease bottom” suddenly takes on a whole new meaning.
By Paula Murphy and Shelby Watson
Design by Shelby Creative
34 COVER STORY: CONSTANT CRAVING
Got cravings? Bet you know where to get the good stuff. And nothing else will do, now will it? We all have our ultimate edibles, and over the years, the Tasting the Town column has tracked down the best of the best. Here’s our latest compilation. If you are shopping for the best bite or just need a reminder, check here first. Then keep our list handy for future cravings. You never know when one will strike.
By Robin Barr Sussman
Illustration by Shelly Atkinson
64 JUST DESSERTS: YOU DIRTY COPPER!
Two copper frying pans discovered at a garage sale, alas, need more than simple TLC to come back to life. Our correspondent finds Atlantic Retinning & Metal Refinishing on the internet, and thus begins a journey toward rehabilitation.
By George Alexander
9 TABLE TALK
9 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
10 HOUSTON BITES BACK
Includes Letters to the Editor, Noteworthy Openings & Closings, On the Road, Side Dish, Edible Etymology, Man About Town & more
24 MR. ANON: THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
40 WINE & SPIRITS
Cheers and Jeers to 2003
42 ¡SALUD!
A toast to Kevin Simon
44 GREAT CULINARY MOMENTS
Of Goats and Ships and Animal Fat, of Coffee Beans and Kings: A History of Coffee, Part 2
48 WHAT’S BUZZING IN THE KITCHEN WITH …
Mayor Bill White
50 LISTINGS
2003’s Best New Restaurants
52 RESTAURANT REVIEWS
The Burning Pear
Cafe Le Jadeite
Macaria’s Cocina Mexicana
53 ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
60 THE EATER’S DIGEST
Restaurant reports from our correspondents in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas
