Hello my loves, (what a mouthful my title post) this week I am honored to begin a showcase of Texas Talent. I hope to give you a glimpse into the lives of the Talented people who make Texas dining memorable. Let’s celebrate this event together by cooking and sharing our love of food with our first guest. This week I am excited to introduce Diana Barrios from Los Barrios Restaurant from San Antonio, Texas. Many of you know Diana from her many appearances on Good Morning America, Tasting Texas , NBC Weekend Today Show and Despierta America. Diana was also challenged by Bobby Flay in his competitive Food Network show Throwdown with Bobby Flay, the challenge their famous Puffy tacos. Los Barrios restaurant in San Antonio , Texas has been cooking up family favorite for more than twenty five years. This in itself is a great accomplishment, with countless Tex-Mex restaurants opening each year. Los Barrios has surpassed it’s competition to be named Esquire’s Top 100 New Resturaunts in America, placing Los Barrios into one of The Lone Star State’s top food destination. The family has also expanded with a new restaurant called La Hacienda giving Texas residents and visitors the chance to taste their family’s widely praised dishes. What began as a way for Mama Viola to help her family survive the mounting financial hardship with the passing of her beloved husband, in a small garage has grown into a family business that with hard work and dedication has helped the family succeed in all aspects of life. Mama Viola’s hope for her family’s future has paved the way for her children to continue offering Texans wonderful meals in a family orientated environment, which has their customers coming back for more.
As Sweet Life will be featuring Diana’s family recipe all week, I will post a small section of my interview with Diana every day. Our interview was very casual and we focused on Diana’s family life / personal experiences as a woman, mom, and career. I send Diana my appreciation, love, and best wishes as her family continues their family business, I am postitive they will be successful for many more generations.
Sweet Life – Your mother Viola, the driving force behind taking Los Barrios from a small business to one of Esquire’s Top 100 New Restaurants in America , at what age did she begin cooking and who influenced her love for cooking?
Diana – My mother began cooking or observing at a very young age. First she watched her own her own mother and grandmothers cook and after they all passed away (her mother died when my mom was 15) she learned from her aunts and godmothers. This all took place in her hometown of Bustamante, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
Sweet Life- In your cookbook you state that Los Barrios offers casero style cooking, can you briefly describe this style of cooking to our readers?
Diana – Casero Style cooking means homestyle cooking the way Mexican mothers cook in their own homes for their families. Adding the secret ingredient of “Love” is a huge part of this type of cooking.
To begin our week of recipes I begin with breakfast, Huevos a la Mexicana, a spicy egg mixture perfectly giving us the example of casero style cooking. A dish loved by Diana’s father who as Diana states in her book ” he would moan with delight as he ate.” I agree. Enjoy!
**Enter for your chance to win a copy of this wonderful cookbook, I have two copies for two of my lucky readers, simply comment and your in. I will be posting new recipes from Diana’s cook book all week, comment on each post for an additional chance to win. Giveaway ends Friday, winner will be announced Saturday, good luck!
Huevos a la Mexicana
Mexican – Style Eggs
from Los Barrios Family Cookbook
Diana Barrios Trevino
serves 6
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 3 to 4 Serrano chilies (to taste), thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes
- 12 eggs, beaten
- Heat oil in a large skill et over medium heat. Add the onion and chiles and saute until the onions are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the eggs and scramble them with the other ingredients; do not overcook the eggs- they should still be a bit loose.
- Serve with a side of refried beans and warm flour tortillas.
***Picture of Diana from WOAI.com*******
Love the website, makes my mouth water just thinking about Los Barrios. When I visited San Antonio my friend took me there and I loved the food! DELICIOUS!
A very common breakfast at our house, as well… I love the drive behind her cooking. Real and inspired =)
OMG Bonnie what a fabulous post, exquisite photos, and great great recipes! I read your 5th post first and was totally blown away. I’m off to read the balance now, they are fabulous!!!!
I can’t believe how time has past. It’s been like a month since I commented on a blog. Been reading on the fly since my son started his journey to continue with his education. (in the UK no less). Six weeks start to finish and he’s there! Now I’m livin’ on UK time till he’s settled in… what moms do for their kids!
@Redkathy….. how wonderful for your son(UK, how great!), yes we moms are superwomen…thanks for stopping by!!HUGS!!
There’s a Filipino version of this. It basically uses the same ingredients except for the chillies and it’s seasoned with a little bit of fish sauce and it’s usually served with steamed rice.
@Kitchen Masochist….wow I bet the fish sauce would add great flavor!!
sweetlife
Hi Bonnie,
longest post title EVER! (well, ok not ever unless if someone ups the ante… *whistles…*).
I’m definitely looking fwd to reading more of your series. I want to learn more about your State! Plus, great score on being able to chat with Diana Barrios. I don’t know anything about her, but I always learn so much while reading your blog. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you for all of your amazing recipes. I stumbled upon your blog when doing a search for a rick bayless recipe to send to a friend. I am so glad I found you!
Looks great!
Carmen
i don’t think i’ve ever had AUTHENTIC mexican food before, but if it’s as amazing as it looks and if it’s even better than the americanized versions i’ve had, i’d eat my weight in it and more. 🙂
I’ve never heard of Diana Barrios, but already I think she’s an amazing talent! Thanks for a great interview and blog series. Looking forward to reading more!
SweetLife…thanks for sharing the part of the interview with Diana. Love it and the egg looks great. I don’t mind having it for my breakfast everyday 🙂 Thanks for the recipe 🙂
I live in the west. We have many mexican restaurants here, some very,very good, but nothing beats homemade. I think I would love any of the recipes in this book. How fun to be able to sit down and interview the author.
What a delightful blend of flavors. Diana Barrios is a wonderful, talented lady and I am excited to see the rest of the posts!
What a great idea for a blog series: showcase of Texas talent. I love it!
I love mexican food. And this looks really yummy.
The sandwiches look cracker-like and crispy! It is always good to know a variety of cuisines.
Ok, so clearly I missed that episode of Throwdown but THAT LOOKS AWESOME!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
oh those eggs look great!
I remembering watching the Puffy Taco episode of Throw Down—still dreaming about them!
Amazing recipe!!
Cheers,
Lia.
I totally remember that episode of Throwdown! I remember drooling. Everywhere.
I love that you got to interview Diana! Love this kind of food. Those huevos look delicious!
What a beautiful post! And the meal looks absolutely divine!
I will try the recipe 🙂
How cool! Great pictures and post!
What a perfect post! I’m visiting Texas right now (and will soon be moving to Austin) so I’ve been enjoying so much amazing Tex/Mex food. I loved reading about this admirable woman!
That entire breakfast looks fantastic! I love eggs with lots of beautiful, flavorful veggies in them. YUM!
Congrats on a great interview. You’ve got some skills. Well written post. The food looks amazing. I could surly wake up to those huevos a la Mexicana.
Best of luck to you on your next risotto adventure. It can be a tough nut to crack, but when you break the code…you can make it for life.
Buena suerte
I have only been to Texas a couple of times, but I’ve LOVED the food that I’ve been able to try there!! This looks like something I’d absolutely love!
I watched her on Throwdown. What a great post! Yummy recipes.
Love is a big component of family cooking.
This is a fabulous interview, Diana is a very talented woman.
that’s some mean scrambled eggs… just love ’em… and with the refried beans and tortillas, makes me think of vacation south of the border….
Oh! I love eggs made this way…the only thing that I usually do not add are the chillies, will try with it next time 🙂
I had to interview her husband for an article I was doing on the importance of taquerias to SA for work! They’re an amazing family!
I think I watched the throwdown! Great interview and her food is phenomenal!
This is the first time that I hear of her but she sounds like a wonderful warm and talented chef and person; I am always amazed at women who can juggle so many things; in any case, I love Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, always willing to gobble up a taco or two or three!
I saw Diana on Bobby Flay’s Showdown! And boy did her food look fantastic. I still remember her puffy taco and drool! Just like I am now over these delicious eggs…
This will make a hearty breakfast. Looks delicious!
Wonderful post and interview! The huevos look perfectly scrumptious!
I got a box from your giveaway in the mail this morning! It felt a little like Christmas when I opened it to find not only the deliciously aromatic lavender, but all sorts of Texas goodies! My two little ones kept peeping their heads in the box–“Is there STILL more???” You have truly spoiled me! Thanks for everything!
Mmm… this is totally something I could eat for ANY meal!