Wish List for Houston-bound friend

[bobmark226]

Buddy/boss is going to Houston tomorrow for an extended weekend to attend a wedding. He asked what I want. I know we've got a gaggle of Texans and Houstonians here, so I'm wondering what I might ask him to bring back, foodwise, that might be easily transportable.

I am sure he can't bring back the Central Market! :(

BOB

[doggerham]

http://jelly.com/products/sauce.htm

Bob,
I don't know if you get any of the Fischer & Weiser products locally (and of course, they can be mail ordered), but that's something he could get here.

My swap partner has specifically requested this http://www.grubrub.com/images/GRLabelBig.jpg According to their site, in Houston you can pick it up at :

Academy Sports & Outdoors
Bering Hardware
Spec's Liquor Stores
Gerland's
Whole Foods Market #17
Kroger
Randalls
Fiesta

I've never tried it myself.

[Beth]

One of the things that some folks have a hard time getting in other parts of the country is the chipotles. You can get them canned in any grocery store, but HEB and Central Market also sell them, and an assortment of other peppers, dried.

Your friend will be able to find more salsas and such than he can shake a stick at -- chili and other seasonings. If he makes a stop at Goode Co.'s Hall of Flame (nest to the barbeque restaurant on Kirby, you can get woods for smoking or grilling, grilling and barbequing seasonings, rubs and sauces -- all kinds of grilling paraphenalia as well as whole pecan pies and loaves of jalapeno cheese bread.

Texas 1015 onions are out now -- a sweeter onion that is Texas' answer to Vidalias, Walla Wallas and Mauis. There are also some companies that make whole lines of salsas, sauces, jams, dressings and such with Texas fruit (berries and peaches), tomato, tomatillo or pepper based, and things with the 1015 onions and/or pecans.

I've lived in TX most of my life, and nearly all of the rest in CA where most of the same things were readily available (pecans were more expensive). Blue Bell Ice Cream and Good Co. Barbeque were reserved from trips back to visit. It's hard to know what else I'd miss.

Since you're in NY, I'm guessing that a number of the peppers, masa, chorizo, Mexican cheeses and things that you might need for Mexican cooking would be available. If not, those might be ideas.

[doggerham]

My step son always wanted Bob's Texas Chips (Jalapeno) when he came home from NYC, but since they sold out to the corporate life, I don't know that they're so special anymore. You can probably buy them anywhere.

http://www.poorebrothers.com/xml/cart/catalog.xml/producer=products/category=100003

We used to load him up with Bob's, gigantic bottles of pickled jalapenos (from Sam's Club) and cases of Shiner beer.

[sneezles]

I agree with Beth on the pecans!! White Lilly flour if you like scones or baking powder biscuits. Any of the D. L. Jardines (http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/TShirtsNTexas/Texas_Foods.html) line of products (their peach salsa is my favorite), which are found in most grocery stores. Pioneer Baking Mix is wonderful for biscuits and pancakes.
Aside from Central Market suggest he visit a Rice Epicurean Store (the one at Kirby and Holcombe is my favorite), they have a great selection of Texas labels and unique Texas food items.

[aggie94]

Bee Butter. :D

It's made by the Bee Cave Honey Company (in Austin), but I know they sell it at the Central Market in Houston as well. It's basically just whipped honey (they also call it honey creme) that has a smooth, spreadable texture like butter. It comes plain and in assorted flavors (lemon, cinnamon, strawberry, raspberry, orange) and goes great with tea, English muffins, toast, pancakes, basted on pork tenderloin, etc.

www.beebutter.com

I love this stuff.

[RebeccaT]

I agree with Beth - if your friend can get to the Goode Co. Hall of Flame on Kirby, there are loads of rubs, sauces, and condiments for your choosing. He could also bring you back a grill pit if he can get it on the plane. ;) Here's their website if you want to peruse: http://www.goodecompany.com/shop.asp

Hmm, what else. Hatch chile products are excellent and I think that Central Market might be the only place outside of New Mexico that carries them. I concur with Amy that anything Fischer & Wieser would be wonderful - raspberry chipotle sauce, marinade's etc. Also, they bottle Mom's Sauces, which are AMAZING jarred spaghetti sauces.

And Bee Butter. :)

[aggie94]

On the subject of Fischer & Wieser sauces, I had dinner at a friend's house over the weekend and they grilled chicken breasts slathered with F&W's Charred Pineapple Bourbon Sauce -- outstanding!

I know they sell F&W all over, but chances are Central Market has a much bigger selection of their products than you can probably find in NYC.

[swquilts]

Get the Grub Rub!! :D :cool:

[bobmark226]

Thanks, everyone. I've printed up a nice big list for him. With photos. He did ask what I was working on so diligently, because my data entry speed isn't quite so perky.

I now promise no Texan jokes for the remainder of the week. ;)

BOB

[sneezles]

Originally posted by bobmark226
I now promise no Texan jokes for the remainder of the week. ;)

BOB

You mean there were some earlier this week? Must have missed them! ;)

[mobear]

FYI for other relocated Texans. I now buy my dried chipotles through Penzeys. Makes a pretty mean chipotle pesto!!!!

I still have problems locating fresh poblanos, etc...:p

[bobmark226]

Originally posted by mobear

I still have problems locating fresh poblanos, etc...:p

Time to hop on Amtrak for the city then; we got 'em all! (Whole Foods, Garden of Eden, etc.)

I'm curious to know how you make a "chipotle pesto." I would think such a thing would be quite (happily) deadly.

BOB

[mobear]

Here is the recipe I used, and it came out great!
http://allsands.com/Food/Recipes/chipotlepestor_skt_gn.htm
I became addicted to it when I lived in Austin. The good Brick Oven Restaurant is on 35th St near Lamar I think. They have a great, creamier version. I think they just melt the cheese more.

I used more chipotles than this recipe called for. You can use more to make it hotter, or just include more seeds. It is better than regular pesto, but that is just my opinion. :)

I take the MetroNorth, much easier than Amtrak. I tend to go to the city more during the summer...but I never think to go grocery shopping. Please recommend specific locations of the stores that you like, as I am clueless!

The goal of my next trip into the city is yarn for my knitting!

Editing post: I recommend serving this pesto with penne pasta. Spaghetti or long noodles tend to splatter the red oil from the pepper and olive oil, and can stain your clothes!

Editing again: I sauteed mushrooms and plum tomatoes in a separate pan off to the side, then add to the pesto and pasta combination. It is heavenly!

[SueK]

Originally posted by bobmark226
I'm curious to know how you make a "chipotle pesto." I would think such a thing would be quite (happily) deadly.

BOB

I agree Bob! Oh my MoBear, please share this recipe when you have a chance!

[bobmark226]

CHIPOTLE PESTO: In a blender, combine cooking oil and garlic......

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Thanks, Mo. What's your favorite use for it?

Sorry, I can never remember which is Amtrak and which is MetroNorth! Any time you're coming in, feel free to PM me and I'll be happy to play escort. Wednesdays are good because of the farmers' market, although it's not as big as the Saturday one, it's still great in season. That puts you near the Garden of Eden where you can get most peppers and almost any produce item, but it's also a short cab or bus ride to Whole Foods in Chelsea.

(and don't worry. I'm safe. Happy to provide references!)

Thanks again for the recipe.
BOB

[mobear]

I work during the week, so I think most Wednesdays are out...also, I am hoping to move this summer, so I think my vacation time is already claimed for that.

My favorite use is for traditional pasta. But the website says it makes a nice dip for chips or bread, which I think would be true too! I have only made it once thus far, so I have not branched out too far with it yet.

I didn't use a blender, but rather one of those mini-cuisinart food processors. Perfect size for this recipe, makes enough for 2-3 people, but did not chop up the pine nuts as well as I would have liked. So maybe using a full size food processor and making a larger batch would be better.

It should get hotter the longer it sits in the refrigerator.

[patissac]

I don't know if your a brisket fan but there's this awesome marinade that I can only get when I visit back home its from Claude's Sauce, they have a brisket and a fajita one thats darn good! Oh and if your a chorizo fan, I suggest have him bring you some back, trust me you can't find good chorizo anywhere else, plus its different, it actually crumbles, its good for huevos con chorizo. I agree with the chile peppers have them get those for you too! Some places even roast the green anaheim ones that make them to die for, unfortunately I used to live about 8 hours from houston so I don't know what good eats that are there. I would say have him bring you back bbq but I don't think that will travel well...I brought back tamales and put them in the cooler on the plane though :)

[SueK]

Thanks for posting the link - I will definitely have to try this one soon. I'm pretty sure Weg's sells dried chipotles, so I might have to give it a whirl this weekend.

[kwormann]

Have him bring you some Shiner Bock AND some St. Arnolds beer!! When my DH visited his friend in California, he took some to him....

[claire797]

If you like wine, there is an excellent Viognier made by a Vinter here called "Becker".

http://www.wineskinny.com/past_issues/texas_wine_history/texwine000203.htm

[aggie94]

Hey Bob,

Just wanted to hear what great goodies your friend brought you. :D

[swquilts]

I still have problems locating fresh poblanos

Mobear, twice now I have seen reference to poblanos being mislabeled as pasillas in grocery stores. I know that our local stores calls them pasilla chiles, but when Mimeea brought me some from farmers market she was told they are poblanos. So I'm beginning to think that all of the stores in our area are calling them by the wrong name.

(And we live in a highly Hispanic populated city :rolleyes: )

[mobear]

swquilts,

They just don't have them here (up where I live, not where Bob lives). I have looked for them...I look by sight because I know what they look (and smell) like. But the stores don't carry them. Thanks for the suggestion though. I could see where different names could definitely confuse someone. I remember being in a Central Market in Austin and being overwhelmed by so many peppers, that you could easily pick the wrong one if you did not know better. But usually their staff is exceptionally knowledgeable.

I am going into NYC this weekend, I will have to remember to stop and look for peppers in Whole Foods. :) This will have to be fit in amongst the yarn shopping and foodie gnoshing. :D

[patissac]

oh my gosh yes hopefully he brought back some Shiner Bock for you, here in florida you don't know how hard it was to locate a dealer that would sell that beer, my DB's also from texas and I surprised him with a 6 pack after locating a dealer. The funny thing was the cashier asked me if I'm from Texas because only people from texas buy that beer! HA!

[Lynn B]

Mobear,

Thanks for the chipotle pesto recipe, oh yummmm!

One question, though... how do you think it would work with chipotles in adobo rather than dried ones???! :cool:

Thanks!

Lynn

[mobear]

Lynn,

I think anything is possible. Just try it and see. There might be a bit of a flavor difference since the adobo sauce has things added to it. Please please please let me know how it turns out though. Because I always have chipotles in adobo sauce around, and it would take out that extra 10-15 minutes step of hydrating the dried chipotles. I followed the recipe by using dried ones because I wanted to try to replicate both the restaurant and store-bought versions I found in TX, which seemed to have flakier texture to the peppers in the pesto.

Heather

[hollysmom]

Bob:

Ask him to pack a cooler full of BBQ and Blue Bell (ice cream) and LOTS of ice...

SSM

[Kerri]

Don't forget this Mrs. Bairds bread. My in-laws make us bring them a loaf whenever we go home.