Repollo en Nogada... esque

Something about Cinco de Mayo, Derby and Caps v. Rangers playoff got me in the mood for something completely eclectic but fused from these 3 events taking place today. Earlier this week I had bought some savoy cabbage, thinking I might do a lightened version of the traditional Eastern European dish of stuffed cabbage, but having been absolutely exhausted this past week with apartment hunting (and more on that soon), I've been doing terrible things like ordering in and eating out.

Today though, while out running errands, being Cinco de Mayo it made me think of chile en nogada... considered to be the national dish of Mexico and I thought, why not make it with cabbage, "repollo" in Spanish? Making a complete generalization here I figured there are more than a couple hockey players that come out of Eastern Europe(perhaps I'm reaching a little here),  and if I soaked the raisins in some bourbon it would give it a Kentucky twist. So there you have it... Cinco de Mayo Derby NHL Playoff repollo en nogada... esque.

My Tex-Mex Standards...

I'd say they are pretty high. There's actually a Tex-Mex trifecta in my head that judges whether a Tex-Mex place is worth coming back to or just a cheap imitation of the real deal. New York, for all it's diversity, just cannot master Tex-Mex. It's true. Just like that old Pace picante commercial... "It's says here it's made in New York City." "New York City?!?" In short, not known for Tex-Mex.

The Trifecta of Tex-Mex:

• Chip- must be crunchy and light. Not even remotely stale. Salty, but not overly so
• Salsa- just enough spice plus depth. This can be attained through smokey chipotles, tomatillos, etc
• Tortillas- puffy, light, flour-y. They don't weigh you down with lard, but you can taste that you're being bad by eating one

Houston however, is right smack in the Tex-Mex middle of everything. And my first real night here, I dragged very dear friend + hubby + child to the nearest place with the best reviews. Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe... just right down the way from where they lived, satisfied all cravings and met the trifecta standards.

The margarita, while not a part of the trifecta, still important. This was fabulous