Kitchen Wrangler | Melissa Guerra | Rebooting Your Kitchen, One Meal At A Time!

Homemade Sauerkraut

July 1, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

Maybe a Homemade Sauerkraut recipe seems out of place on a food blog dedicated to Tex-Mex food traditions, but you have to remember that 20% of the Texas population was German during most of the 20th century. Czech and Polish traditions figure into our food heritage as well - we love our beer, we love our accordion music and we love picnic tacos made with Polish kielbasa and jalapeños. We are mixed up and proud of it! Those yellow leaves will get tossed but the green leaves I will use for the ...

Peach Bottom Sour Cream Coffee Cake

June 24, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

Summertime is peach time in Texas, and boy! Do I love peaches! Every year I develop a new recipe and this year is Peach Bottom Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Check out my other recipes for Brown Sugar Peach Dumplings with Cinnamon Syrup or Peach Crumble Pie with Salted Pecans and Nutmeg Creme Anglaise. Of course there is always the tart and savory Fresh Peach Buttermilk Pan de Elote with Honey Butter. Some of the recipes sound complicated but really they are just flavor enhancements added to old ...

Mesquite Baked Chicken & Apples

June 23, 2020 By Melissa Guerra 2 Comments

I love cooking outdoors! However, summertime cookouts can fall into a routine of burgers and hot dogs. I have been dreaming about Mesquite Baked Chicken & Apples for awhile, but I've been putting it off because it has been so hot lately. Ultimately, my craving for adventure won. So, here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7j7_wBS5Ok Mesquite Baked Chicken & Apples for Outdoor Cooking Let me apologize for not having any equipment recommendations to share with you. My ...

Carrot Cake with Lime Glaze

June 17, 2020 By Melissa Guerra 2 Comments

Carrot Cake with Lime Glaze is a twist on the classic carrot cake without the heavy cream cheese buttercream frosting. Don’t get me wrong, I adore buttercream. But there is a place at the table for lighter cakes too. Love the cake, just change the frosting! My sister in law reminded me how delicious an extra-carrot-y carrot cake could be when I had dinner at her house a few weeks ago. Crunchy and sweet, grated carrots make an incredible garnish. Move over coconut! I think I have found my new ...

Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

June 16, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits are one of the comfort foods I miss the most when I go on a diet. Yes, I diet. I diet too much. Because I eat too much. Such a vicious cycle. But Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits are what I dream about when I want a splurge. More Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits, Please What…

Frijoles Borrachos

June 12, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

Frijoles Borrachos or “Drunken Beans” are a standard restaurant offering in South Texas. Adding beer to the pot of beans is what makes them “drunken” but I have also heard of people adding tequila or vodka for the same concept. Not sure if I would pour my good tequila into a pot of beans (I…

Tortilla Española Poblana

June 5, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

If you have ever traveled to Spain, you probably enjoyed a thick wedge of Tortilla Española with a chilled glass of garnacha. Watching the world from behind your sunglasses while you snack on tasty tapas is simply the best feeling in the world. I miss traveling and these sweet touristy moments that make you feel…

Cebollas en Escabeche

June 5, 2020 By Melissa Guerra Leave a Comment

Cebollas en Escabeche or pickled onions are my favorite condiment when we go out for tacos. The amount that I pile on my plate verges on being embarrassing. But as I age, there isn’t much that embarrasses me anymore. I eat all the onions I want. Step back haters: I’m serving myself again. Magical on…