The United Tastes of Texas

United Tastes of Texas brings together cuisine from five regions of the Lone Star State along with the chefs that cook within them. The recipes are divided by each region—Central, Coastal, East, West, and South—and the book ends with a section on how to pair these recipes for a variety of holiday “shindigs.” Recipe difficulties range from beginner to intermediate and is adorned with beautiful photography which induces some mouthwatering and stomach growling.

Overall, the recipes were pretty good with some interesting tastes and a welcome variety of biscuit recipes from sweet to savory. Some recipes were lacking in that kick we expected, specifically the Slow-Burn Bolognese, with its description of “a Texas chili pepper kick.” We were also a little disappointed by the inclusion of many canned items over providing the recipe for sauces and the like from scratch, but it does add a level of convenience (even if it sacrifices fuller, richer flavors). Overall, it’s a welcome addition to our kitchen for whenever we’re craving a little Texan cuisine.