The Cultural Connections of Hill Country Cooking
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As diverse as Texas itself, Hill Country cooking is a literal melting pot of culinary traditions from across the globe. In this piece, we’ll take a world tour to discover some of the many international influences found in your favorite Texan cuisine.
German Influence on Hill Country Cooking
German cuisine (What Wine Pairs Perfectly With German Cuisine) can be considered one of the most influential players in Hill Country cooking. Favorites such as sausage, sauerkraut (how long does sauerkraut last?) and potato salad are common sights at Hill Country events. The traditional dish of Wiener schnitzel is hailed as the origin of chicken fried steak, with the use of veal being swapped for cuts of beef sliced into thin segments, before being pan-fried or battered to crispy perfection.
Czech Influence on Hill Country Cooking
While the Czech influence is strongest toward the east of Texas Hill Country, its flavors remain some of the most prominent throughout the entire State. Texans can thank Czech immigrants for their breakfast kolaches, often spiced up with savory sausage in lieu of the traditional fruity fillings. Although savory variations are generally referred to as “klobasnek”, they are called kolaches at the many Texan pastry shops that serve them.
Mexican Influence on Hill Country Cooking
Mexican food (What wine goes well with Mexican food?) hails from Texas’ southern neighbor – for years a part of New Spain, before eventually gaining independence. In contrast to the more traditional Mexican cuisine, “Tex-Mex” incorporates creamy cheeses alongside flour tortillas, sporting milder flavors than their original counterparts. Tex-Mex as we know it would likely not exist were it not for the fated union of Mexican cuisine and Texas Hill Country cooking.
American Southern Influence on Hill Country Cooking
Brought to the Hill Country by settlers from the American South, Southern cooking can be found in virtually every restaurant throughout the region. From grits (how long do grits last?) to greens, down home comfort food is an invaluable staple of Hill Country cuisine. While many Southern dishes incorporate pork in their recipes, Hill Country variations often use beef instead (barbecue, specifically). Due to the deep-seated prominence of cattle drives in Texan culture, beef has traditionally been more accessible than pork, resulting in the substitution.
