If you ever hear the words "Texas" and "cuisine" in the same sentence, chances are you will get some laughs. Even some Texans themselves are not aware of their own food heritage and the food potential of real Texas home cooking. From a state that is known for bull-riding cowboys, football-playing cowboys, and conniving millionaires, thoughts of food from Texas tends to take a back seat.

Texas Food is here to show you different. Texans love to boast, but they have much more to boast about in the kitchen than in a rodeo arena, football field, or a big oil company boardroom. When fixed right, the traditional dishes of Texas are as full of flavor and goodness as any other cuisine in the world.

Texas was part of six different countries at different times. This has led to a number of different cultures that have left their mark on the state. To really appreciate the diversity and depth of Texas' traditional cooking, you have to look at all of the national, ethnic and social influences. Mexicans, Africans, Cajuns, Germans, Czechs, and cowboys, to name just a few, have brought their food traditions to Texas.

This diversity in Texas food is not well-known by a lot of people, but will be presented through all of the recipes and stories planned within this website.

Life in the state has changed and become more modern over the years, just like everywhere else. Food in Texas has also evolved and become more modern along with the lifestyle. But Texans have not forgotten their roots. The same influences are still present in the food, but some dishes have been "gussied up" a little, becoming more complex and interesting, and blending in with the rest of the world instead of caving into it.

The result of this change is food in Texas is still down home cooking, but now there is an extra contemporary flare and complexity. Even with that, there is nothing overly difficult to master about Texas cooking. Everything is easy to prepare and does not usually require a chef's kitchen stocked with every ingredient ever heard of. It is just good home cooking done slowly and deliciously.

Texas food can be prepared to be healthy for you as well. Texas cooks have learned to cut rich or heavy ingredients out of the food without sacrificing the the traditional flavors. Many of the recipes within this website will allow you to prepare dishes just as light and wholesome as any health food. The difference will be in the wonderful tastes of traditional food in Texas.

This basically comes down to great American Food from Texas. Texas food is a legacy, and it is a cuisine that should be celebrated. It is a fun cooking tradition, and even a more fun eating tradition. We should all make the most of this great Texas cuisine.