In Texas, you can't go far without running into a steakhouse. The reason for this is simple: Texans do not like to be far from their favorite fare. The restaurant doesn't need to be pretty-although many are--because the quality of the cutlery doesn't matter as much as the quality of the cookin'. From country town to roadside stop to cosmopolitan city haunt, there's only one requirement for the true Texas steakhouse, and that is to keep the fresh, thick, juicy slabs of Texas-raised beef coming. Almost every country in the world boasts a "Texas Steakhouse" or some version thereof-proof that news about the quality of Texas beef has gone global. In fact, Texans own the bragging rights to beef. Billions of pounds are produced annually here, and in most parts, cattle ranches and auctions are as thick as fleas on a dog. This cookbook is a unique compilation of the finest beef recipes from the best steakhouses in Texas.
It is by no means a complete list, but the dishes and the restaurants mentioned are the most excellent in a very large bunch of great Lone Star steakhouses. Dig in, cowboys! A Texas-based food writer and editor, Helen Thompson has written for and edited such publications as Metropolitan Home, Renovation Style, TRIBEZA, Veranda, Country Home, Traditional Home, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, InStyle, and Texas Monthly. Thompson served as the managing editor of Domain, Texas Monthly's lifestyle magazine, and wrote about food, architecture and interiors, travel, and new products. The author of eight books, including Pelican's Dallas Classic Desserts, Thompson lives in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Texas, Janice Shay is an author and book packager producing illustrated books, children's books, and cookbooks. She has served as a graphic consultant for Texas Monthly magazine and has won scores of awards for her designs. Books she has produced have received the Jane Addams Peace Price for Children's Literature, the Comstock Award, and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Award. Her other titles include St.
Patrick's Day in Savannah, Charleston Classic Desserts, Savannah Classic Desserts, and Savannah Classic Seafood, all available from Pelican. Shay lives in Savannah, Georgia. Dallas-based photographer Robert Peacock is recognized for capturing the beauty of food for top cookbooks and magazines. He has photographed stories for Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Southern Accents, D Home, and numerous others. His photography can also be found in Dallas Classic Desserts and Southern Cocktails: Dixie Drinks, Party Potions, and Classic Libations. "This project," says the steak aficionado, "was particularly fulfilling-and just plain filling.".