Craving queso? It's Fiesta - and pumpkin - season

 

If you’ve ever craved a mango dipped in spices, never-ending avocado or some cactus for breakfast, La Vaquito in Port Arthur is at your service. A pinata, tortillas or bakery bread? This market has it.

If you’re planning to head out to the Mexican Heritage Society Fiesta, Sept 13 at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center, you might be craving some of these flavors. Start cooking them at home, and eat some more flavors at the festival. This area is always craving some authentic Mexican or Tex-

Mex foods. We have Taco Tuesday, and nearly every day is queso day. As the weather gets cooler, beans, rice and chili are on the menu. Here’s a book that may come in handy:

 

Calling Tex-Mex Lovers – Does Chorizo Spanish Rice Soup sound good about now? We love our Mexican and Tex-Mex foods in Southeast Texas and some tempting suggestions are mentioned in Eliza Cross’s cute and handy little book, “101 Things to Do with Pork.” A spiral perfect for college students and beginning cooks, it has some dishes we could relate to around here, including:

·       Sausage and Green Chile Breakfast Burritos

·       Chorizo Scrambled Eggs

·       Pulled Pork Breakfast Tacos

·       Chorizo Queso Dip (I love that this includes corn)

·       Pulled Pork Nachos

·       Southwest Taco Salad (with my fave go-tos of black beans and corn)

The Ultimate BLTH implies H is for ham. Into the pickle craze? Ham-Dill Pickle Dip features sour cream and cream cheese, ranch seasoning, deli ham and dill pickles. Also look for fun stuff like BBQ Pork Burnt Ends, Warm Bacon Potato Salad and Hog-Wild Wedge Salad.

          Calling Pumpkin, and Chocolate Lovers – Pumpkin season approaches and Culinary Thrill Seeking readers are again finding a plethora of pumpkin flavors. Some have had enough and others can’t get enough. I can’t believe anyone could resist Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies made with a box of yellow or spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin and a cup of chocolate chips. This and most all of the recipes in “101 Things to do with Chocolate” are super easy and sure to fit the bill for school projects and fall gatherings. It’s in the line with the pork-focused book mentioned above. Stephanie Ashcraft gives us old favorites and new twists. Remember the classic Hello Dollies and Butterfinger Sheet Cake? I like the titles with “No Bake” in front. Rolo Surprise Cookies also start with a box of cake mix and have a gooey candy surprise center.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie ready for fall festivals and Frito pie. Share your cravings with her visa panews@panews.com.