HOWDY FRIENDS….from Mexican Food & Gifts To Go
www.texmextogo.com 
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Holiday Gifts Shopping in your pajamas! No lines, no crowds and free parking!

I love that line! Especially after being “one of those people” shopping in a store at 5am the day after Thanksgiving (first time in my life!), I knew this simply had to be my opening line in my newsletter! I can now say I’ve done that! So let’s holiday shop online together:


For the lover of all gifts of Chocolate:

                       

Chipotle or jalapeno chocolate bars - view details.
Mexican spiced cocoa & mug – view details.
Chipotle & jalapeno singles – view details.
Chocolate - amaretto Texas pecans – view details.

For the lover of all gifts of Margaritas:

                

Texas Margarita Delights – view details.
Margaritas For Two Gift – view details.
Margarita mini cookies – view details.
Margarita hard candies – view details.

For the Grill Master of the family:

             

Chipotle Chicken Rub – view details.
Cowboy Trail Dust – view details
Applewood salt – view details.
Jalapeno salt – view details.

For the Tex-Mex food lover:

       

From the “El Paso” gourmet box with our own Tejano salsas to the “San Antonio” corporate gourmet box filled with nearly 18 pounds of gourmet food...
You’ll become the favorite name draw for years to come! View details.

For the table presentation elites:

       


Our exclusive design hand blown glass made in Mexico is a unique gift by itself.
Chili pepper tall beer glasses – view details.
Pebbles pattern serving bowls – view details.
Chili pepper glassware – view details.
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There are numerous pages to peruse, I simply presented some new items and some favorites as well.
Visit our gourmet pages and our Mexican gifts & cookware pages for more ideas.

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Mexican Holiday Recipes - Let's get cooking!

Mexican Cheese Fondue with Tequila – a twist of a French classic!

Ingredients:
1 large round crusty bread (boule in French)
1 tsp. butter
2/3 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese
7 oz cream cheese, cubed
5 oz Manchego cheese, shredded (Monterrey Jack can be substituted)
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp sour cream
1 jigger Tequila
½ tsp pureed chipotle chile (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
1 baguette, cut in bite size pieces.

Directions:
Melt 1tsp butter in a saucepan, add garlic and cook until soft (one minute). Add the Roquefort, cream & Manchego cheeses stirring to combine. Add the sour cream, Tequila and chile, continue stirring until the mixture is well blended together. Add salt & pepper to taste & pour the mixture into the hollowed bread round.
Cut a large hole in the top of the round bread and scoop out the insides without breaking the crust and pour the warm mixture.
Cut the baguette into bite size pieces. Have tooth picks or skewers ready for your guests to dip the bread bites into Fondue.
Graciously provided by Ana Maria Flores Sanchez
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Mexican Taco & Cornbread Casserole – Warm, feel good food while waiting for Santa!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (chuck or sirloin)
1 jar Tejano Taco Mex (click here for product)
1 ½ cup frozen or canned corn kernels (drained)
1- 15oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
2 cups shredded Mexican Blend or Cheddar cheese
1- 6 or 7 oz packet cornbread mix, adding 1 egg and ½ cup whole milk

Directions:
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Brown the beef in a large skillet. Drain fat; stir in Taco Mex, corn and black beans; bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened and reduced. Now stir in 1 cup of cheese blend, season to taste if needed and transfer to oven proof casserole dish.

Combine cornbread mix with milk and eggs per the package directions. Pour evenly over the taco mixture; sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup blended cheese.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the top feels firm.
Serve with a fresh green salad and tortilla chips and a side dish of sour cream.
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Tex- Mex Christmas Tea Cakes – Make these at Christmas time with the kids!

Ingredients:
1cup softened butter
¾ c powdered sugar
1tsp vanilla
2 c flour
¼ c cocoa powder
¼ tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1c finely chopped pecans
36 chocolate kisses (unwrapped!)
1c powdered sugar
2Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine butter and powdered sugar; beat until fluffy, add vanilla and mix well, stir in flour, ¼ c cocoa powder, salt and nutmeg and mix until a dough forms, add pecans. Cover and chill several hours in the refrigerator.

Form dough into 36 balls. Wrap each dough ball around a kiss, completely covering the chocolate kiss. Place on a baking sheet, bake at 350 degrees for 11-14 minutes or until just set. While cookies are baking, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 2Tbsp cocoa powder and cinnamon in a shallow bowl; mix well. When cookies are done, remove from baking sheet and drop into the powdered mixture, roll to coat. Then set cookies on a wire rack to cool. Once cool, roll the little cakes into the powdered mixture once more.

TIP: these little melt-in-your-mouth tea cakes have an intense flavor sensation. Add these to your Christmas cookie tray.
You’ll find many more Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes on the site….make a cup of cider and put your feet up, you’ll be here a while!

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Holiday Shopping Has Begun!
Remember:
We can custom your gourmet food gifts where you choose the products and the temperatures of the salsas as well. Give us a call 713.995.5502; if your choices can fit in the boxes…we will accommodate you. Need ideas? We’ll help you!

Remember:
We can "make-up on the spot" gifts over the phone - let us know your dilemma and we'll think up a special gift (not found in our online store).

Remember:
We have no control over the shipper - UPS that is - so please friends, order early. UPS will not "guarantee delivery" after December 11th (for ground shipments).

PLEASE: double check your order form: correct addresses, zip code, don’t forget floor, suite, apt. Double check your cc numbers – call us immediately if there is any incorrect information noted after you’ve submitted your order.

For any incomplete addresses or incorrect addresses, UPS charges $5.00 to re-deliver or correct which we will pass on to you.
Avoid the Holiday rush…just remember where you hid everything!

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Friends…
We could not end this newsletter without thanking each and everyone you for making our year better than the last…how you do this every year!
We are very grateful and we thank you for your continued support....Though we’ll never have a chance to meet you…we will never forget you!

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!
Feliz Navidad Prospero ano y felicidad
Be healthy, be happy, be together and most of all…be safe.

See y’all in 2008……

Chef Annie
chef@texmextogo.com