{ breakfast at home }

I can't even count how many times I've woken up over the past year up in New Hampshire craving breakfast tacos from an authentic Texas taqueria. And trying to replicate them in my own kitchen, while filling a temporary void, just doesn't come close to adequately cutting it.

So my morning taste buds have been in Heaven while I've been home on a 2-week visit, while I get my fill on breakfast tacos (and more breakfast tacos ... and more breakfast tacos ....).

This morning's offering -- bean and cheese on flour tortillas with pico de gallo and sour cream, and beef fajita with onion, cilantro and lime  -- all from Casa de Leon on Long Point in west Houston.

¡Que Delicioso!

skinny bagel widda shmeer, side of heat

Who doesn’t love a big, crusty NYC deli-style bagel, served with cream cheese, lox and capers? Oy. I’m getting all ver clempt just thinking about it.

Unfortunately, not only is a loaded bagel unkind to one’s daily calorie count, it can be tough to find unless you live or work near a good Kosher deli.

As an alternative, one of my favorite, long-time breakfast routines is noshing on an “everything” bagel (poppy & sesame seeds and garlic), topped with a spicy substitute to capers – jalapeños. Add the cool smoothness of the cream cheese and a cup of hot coffee, and you have the perfect medley of morning flavors and textures.

A great way to eat this in guilt-free fashion is to use thin bagels. My favorite is a lightly-toasted “everything” Thomas 100-calorie bagel. And using low-fat (not the insipidly sweet fat-free version) cream cheese -– a tablespoon per slice – also helps keep things respectable. The grand total is only about 160 measly calories.

It sure ain’t the Carnegie Deli in Midtown, but it’ll certainly scratch a bagel itch when the craving hits you.

cochinita pibil, tacos al pastor and coffee

I've blogged before about my idea of breakfast in Heaven -- fresh, authentic, Mexican tacos. This morning's take-out choice from Jarro Cafe in Houston was cochinita pibil (traditional slow-roasted Mexican pork marinated in citrus and achiote paste) and tacos al pastor (marinated pork cooked on a rotisserie with fresh pineapple).

But here's my embarrassing secret ... I adore them with a cup of coffee that would make most people roll their eyes and shake a finger at me -- freshly-ground beans (preferably from Ruta Maya Coffee House in Austin), about 1/3 a coffee mug of heavy cream, and several heaping teaspoons of Demerara sugar -- kind of my own personal Texas café au lait. I don't drink it often, but when I do, I savor every sip.

Goodness.

saturday morning breakfast tacos

One of the things I miss most when I'm away from home is breakfast tacos. No place in the world makes 'em like you can get 'em in Texas, where they're literally a dime a dozen. Whether you order barbacoa or cabrito, the result is always divine.

I'm a pretty good cook, and Ive tried to re-create them ... but it's just not the same. You don't get that perfect combination of the charred grill taste, soft gooey thick tortilla, fresh cilantro, crunchy onions, and spicy fresh salsa.

Texas cities and towns are full of taqueria trucks manned by folks who usually don't speak much English, but who can sure whip up amazing breakfast tacos. And fortunately I know just enough Spanish to be able to order my favorites. The tacos are made right there on site, fresh and delicious. It's wonderful -- the perfect way to kick off a weekend.

It's gotten to the point that, for me, weekends just aren't weekends without breakfast tacos. My tacos of choice are beef fajita on corn tortillas with cilantro and onion -- and a liberal squeeze of fresh lime juice on top. PERFECTION!

One of life's great treats -- hot coffee, breakfast tacos, and the weekend. You seriously can't beat it.

Sunday blues?

I fight it. I really do. But more often than not, I seem to be one of those "glass half-empty" kind of people. I wish I wasn't, and I really do count my blessings (of which there are many). But for some reason, I tend to lean toward the cynical side of things.

One area I have a hard time shaking this negative way of thinking is on Sundays. Rather than being able to soak in and enjoy the serenity of the day, I tend to focus on the fact that the next day is Monday. So more often than not, I end up feeling trapped by Sundays -- like I can't truly take it all in because the end is so near. It's a horrible way to end a weekend!

So today I'm turning over a new lease on life. I'm going to face my Sunday demons head-on. I'm going to make every possible effort to start soaking up more of the glory that is Sunday. I thought a good way to start would be to list my favorite things about this Day of Rest. Here goes:

• The ability to savor and taste, not just gulp down, the perfect cup of coffee. This morning, it's nothing with foam or style -- just a simple cup of Folgers with Coffee-Mate Pralines and Cream added. Delish.


• A trip to the local Mexican hole-in-the-wall for a big'ol' authentic Mexican breakfast. There's a dumpy place in Houston called Casa de Leon that my family regularly frequents. There's nothing quite like hearing the Spanish version of "When the Lights go Down in the City" playing on the jukebox while chowing down on a plate of breakfast tacos and, if the craving grabs you, a cold Corona (yeah, even if you want it before noon). It's one of life's great moments. I ran across a great blog this morning by Homesick Texan about the religion of Texas breakfast tacos. It's a must-read.


• Spending quality time cuddling on the couch with my son, watching Blue's Clues.


• In the autumn months (and the boiling days of August and September in the Lone Star State), catching up on the previous day's gridiron results ... hopefully re-living every stellar detail of a big Aggie win.
  
• A quick road-trip. It doesn't have to be a grand affair. A drive down to Kemah for lunch on the water. Or heading over to beautiful Chappell Hill, Texas to spend a day at the Bluebonnet Festival in April.


• Hanging out with my family all damn day. There's simply nothing better.
  
• The Peace of the day -- Sunday is inheritantly about giving all glory to God, and there's nothing more serene and beautiful than that.