Addis Ababa is 8,000 miles away, and yet I can get a taste of Ethiopian culture without traveling more than a mile from my house. That’s about how far it is to Taste of Ethiopia, a small bit of east Africa right in my own [...]

I often eat lunch at home, but every now and again I find myself “out and about” running errands and such just about the time the alarm goes off. The one in my middle, I mean. Years of working in the chemical industry taught me [...]

1. Smoky Heaven in Round Rock: Johnny T’s BBQ This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» I...

Most of you are familiar with the tiny terrors known as Habañero chiles. Or maybe you’re familiar with its tongue-scorching cousin, the Scotch Bonnet. They appear about the same size and shape, although there’s a claim they have different flavors. (I don’t want to [...]

1. Pepper Jelly Update: Anybody Got a Gas Mask I Can Borrow? This entry is part of a series, Pepper Jelly Chronicles»...
2. Red Pepper Jelly Sunday This entry is part of a series, Pepper Jelly Chronicles»...

We recently reported on the Underground’s latest exploits in kitchen coliseum, wherein we basically reinvented the staid and hackneyed red pepper jelly. As promised, we made other colors of pepper jelly than red this time…

For the orange pepper jelly, I had two orange bell [...]

1. Red Pepper Jelly Sunday This entry is part of a series, Pepper Jelly Chronicles»...

I’ve heard of having your panties in a bunch, but this takes things a bit too far. A Yonkers woman shopping in White Plains, NY retaliated against a Victoria’s Secret outlet, after she was banned from shopping there due to an earlier shoplifting incident, by [...]

1. An Exciting Week: A Holiday for Presidents, National Chili Day and More You’ll have to go far to find a month...
2. Follies: A New and Exciting Way to Prepare Sushi Just when you thought innovation in food preparation was at...

Long-time followers of the Underground know how much I enjoy a good pepper jelly. The stuff is quite easy to make too. With the garden right on peak production of chiles and farmers markets everywhere overloaded with many inexpensive choices (if you don’t grow [...]

1. Follies Extra: Is That a Chile Pepper On Your Plate, or Are You Just Happy to See Me? This entry is part of a series, Follies 2011» The...

I enjoy good Indian food. Like many Americans who appreciate this great ethnic cuisine, I only had experience with the food here in the States. Authenticity is tough to judge without visiting the motherland, of course, and I have been fortunate to go “over there” [...]

1. Mama Roux: So Good There’s A Song About It, Sort Of… This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» I...
2. Restaurant Reviews: Urbanspoon Rocks! Some of you may have noticed a new feature...
3. Dinner for One: Sometimes the Good Stuff is Right Under Your Nose This entry is part of a series, Austin Scene» The...

What is a croquette, anyway? According to the standard of truth these days, a croquette is

… a small fried food roll containing usually as main ingredients mash potatoes, and/or minced meat (veal, beef, chicken, or turkey), shellfish, fish, vegetables, and soaked white bread, egg, onion, [...]

1. Fish 4 Friday: Summery Salmon Salad With a Tingle on the Tongue This entry is part of a series, F4F 2011» As...
2. Fish 4 Friday: Arabic Seasoned Salmon for a Christian Tradition This entry is part of a series, F4F 2011» Arabic...
3. Fish 4 Friday: Grilled Salmon With Pineapple Salsa This entry is part of a series, F4F 2011» There...

Most of us who have dirt-stained pants knees nurture vegetable gardens south of the Dixon-Mason Line have now reached a common state of affairs. The tomatoes now look like Little Shop of Horrors plants, just as we’re all getting a bit tired of tomatoes for dinner. [...]

1. Best. Southern. Green Beans. Ever… It’s not a brag, it’s a fact. Or maybe...

Hospital food has a reputation as bland, unappetizing, or just plain bad. Efforts are under way in lots of medical institutions to change that perception, but it’s still a fact that many people dread going to the hospital because of the food. You’d think we [...]

1. Friday Follies: Beer, It’s What’s for Breakfast This entry is part of a series, Follies 2011» In...
2. Friday Follies: Eating Like a Monk During Lent This entry is part of a series, Follies 2011» Living...