When and why did you start this site?
I have always enjoyed cooking and photography and this blog has been a wonderful outlet for these two passions. I started Homesick Texan in September 2005, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2006 that I became more regular in my posting.
At first, it was just a place to share recipes with friends and family but eventually some other fine people started visiting as well—both homesick and non-homesick Texans alike!
What’s your comments policy?
I can’t tell you how happy your comments make me—they are the backbone of this blog and without them I feel like I’m just talking to myself. So please, comment away!
What’s your comments policy?
I can’t tell you how happy your comments make me—they are the backbone of this blog and without them I feel like I’m just talking to myself. So please, comment away!
I moderate my comments to keep out the spammers, and I generally post anything unless it’s hateful, hurtful and insulting to the other commenters. Likewise, if you want to be critical, please do it in a constructive manner—life’s too short to be nasty. And I accept anonymous comments, but I prefer if you leave your name that way I can get to know you!
Can I link to your site? And will you link to mine?
You are most welcome to link to this site. And I will gladly read your blog but I don’t link to a new blog until after it’s been active for six months nor do I exchange links.
Who takes the photos?
I take all of them unless otherwise noted.
Can I republish your post, recipe and/or photo on my site?
No, you cannot use my content on your site. If you make one of my recipes and want to blog about it, you can either link back to my site without posting the recipe, or you can make changes, rewrite it into your language and call it an adaption. (More on recipe attribution can be found at Food Blog Alliance.) If you want to use a photo, please ask first.
So you want to make money, eh? Do you freelance?
Yes, I do—both writing and photography. Have a job you’re interested in having me do? Just shoot me an e-mail.
Have you ever thought about writing a book?
Yes, I have! And I'm excited to announce that The Homesick Texan Cookbook is on sale now!
Do you accept products for review?
I generally do not accept products, edible or otherwise. I may look at books, but there should be a strong connection to the content of this blog, which is about the cuisines of Texas.
What kind of camera are you using?
I use a Nikon D300 with a 60mm macro lens. I love it—its viewfinder is 100%, which means that what I see is what I’ll get. But I now have my eye on the D700 which makes full-frame digital photography available at the “prosumer” level. But, I strongly believe it’s the photographer not the camera that makes for a good photo. Sure, with a more expensive camera you’ll have more megapixels and more control, and, of course, a higher quality file. But it’s what you see that counts.
What kind of lights do you use?
I prefer to use available light. And I shoot most of my shots for the blog in my bedroom because it has the most light in my one-bedroom apartment.
What do you look like?
Girl, what are you doing in New York City?
Well, believe it or not, but ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to live here. I blame it on a steady diet of Sesame Street, E.L. Konigsberg titles such as From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Woody Allen movies. And now that I’m here, I have a job that is based in New York so I’m going to be here for the time being. That said, I do miss Texas something fierce so I reckon the grass is always greener, eh?
I’m new in town, what do you recommend for barbecue?
I’m a big fan of Hill Country, which is owned by someone with deep Lockhart roots. Order the moist brisket. Also check out Briskettown. And Rodeo Bar has Shiner Bock.
Where can I find decent Tex-Mex in New York?
My kitchen. Oh, did you mean what restaurant serves decent Tex-Mex? You can try Ah, Chihuahuah in Manhattan and Lobo in Brooklyn. If you want Mex-Mex, I enjoy Taqueria Coatzingo and El Sol Azteca in Jackson Heights, Queens and Real Azteca in the Bronx. And if you're looking for breakfast tacos, check out El Tacombi.
And who serves chicken-fried steak?
Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Duke’s, Brother Jimmy’s and Hill Country are a few places that have it.
Your chili—beans or not?
No beans. If you put beans in it I no longer consider it chili--it's now meat and bean soup.
Help! I just moved to NYC and can't find any Ro-Tel! Do you know where can I buy some?
Can I link to your site? And will you link to mine?
You are most welcome to link to this site. And I will gladly read your blog but I don’t link to a new blog until after it’s been active for six months nor do I exchange links.
Who takes the photos?
I take all of them unless otherwise noted.
Can I republish your post, recipe and/or photo on my site?
No, you cannot use my content on your site. If you make one of my recipes and want to blog about it, you can either link back to my site without posting the recipe, or you can make changes, rewrite it into your language and call it an adaption. (More on recipe attribution can be found at Food Blog Alliance.) If you want to use a photo, please ask first.
So you want to make money, eh? Do you freelance?
Yes, I do—both writing and photography. Have a job you’re interested in having me do? Just shoot me an e-mail.
Have you ever thought about writing a book?
Yes, I have! And I'm excited to announce that The Homesick Texan Cookbook is on sale now!
Do you accept products for review?
I generally do not accept products, edible or otherwise. I may look at books, but there should be a strong connection to the content of this blog, which is about the cuisines of Texas.
What kind of camera are you using?
I use a Nikon D300 with a 60mm macro lens. I love it—its viewfinder is 100%, which means that what I see is what I’ll get. But I now have my eye on the D700 which makes full-frame digital photography available at the “prosumer” level. But, I strongly believe it’s the photographer not the camera that makes for a good photo. Sure, with a more expensive camera you’ll have more megapixels and more control, and, of course, a higher quality file. But it’s what you see that counts.
What kind of lights do you use?
I prefer to use available light. And I shoot most of my shots for the blog in my bedroom because it has the most light in my one-bedroom apartment.
What do you look like?
Girl, what are you doing in New York City?
Well, believe it or not, but ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to live here. I blame it on a steady diet of Sesame Street, E.L. Konigsberg titles such as From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Woody Allen movies. And now that I’m here, I have a job that is based in New York so I’m going to be here for the time being. That said, I do miss Texas something fierce so I reckon the grass is always greener, eh?
I’m new in town, what do you recommend for barbecue?
I’m a big fan of Hill Country, which is owned by someone with deep Lockhart roots. Order the moist brisket. Also check out Briskettown. And Rodeo Bar has Shiner Bock.
Where can I find decent Tex-Mex in New York?
My kitchen. Oh, did you mean what restaurant serves decent Tex-Mex? You can try Ah, Chihuahuah in Manhattan and Lobo in Brooklyn. If you want Mex-Mex, I enjoy Taqueria Coatzingo and El Sol Azteca in Jackson Heights, Queens and Real Azteca in the Bronx. And if you're looking for breakfast tacos, check out El Tacombi.
And who serves chicken-fried steak?
Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Duke’s, Brother Jimmy’s and Hill Country are a few places that have it.
Your chili—beans or not?
No beans. If you put beans in it I no longer consider it chili--it's now meat and bean soup.
Help! I just moved to NYC and can't find any Ro-Tel! Do you know where can I buy some?
Key Foods in Brooklyn sells it as does Food Emporium. You can also order it buy the case at Amazon.
Has anyone besides your mother ever said nice things about this site?
I’m usually very self-effacing but, since you asked…
Named Best Regional Food Blog by Saveur and cited by the Times of London as one of the world's 50 best food blogs.
"[A] wonderful blog." —Houston Chronicle
“This expat Texan lovingly describes her quest to find and re-create the food she loves so much—BBQ, fried chicken, and Tex-Mex…her [blog] made me salivate, which is what a good food blog should do.”—Epicurious.com
