The smell of yeast rolls baking in the ovens and drifting through the halls at Arthur Kramer Elementary School is one of my strongest food memories. As soon as the scent reached my nose my thoughts left the classroom. Each day I lined three pats of butter on my tray and waited in line, letting other kids jump ahead of me, until the baker went to the oven to bring out a fresh pan of rolls. I plucked them from the tin and sat them on the butter pats and by the time I reached the table they were soaked in melted butter. Yum.
Food memories–both good and bad–are hard to forget. Listen to this poor gal who, after ten years, still yearns for that certain salsa. She needs relief.
About ten years ago (maybe a few more), in Dallas, there was a Mexican restaurant called Caliente. It was over on Park Lane/ Greenville area. They served the most wonderful (for lack of a better term) “salsa” or “pico de gallo” which was served on the plate with your food. It had thinly sliced jalapenos & carrots (julienned), onion and what seemed like a good bit of sugar in with the heat of the jalapenos. This was such a wonderful accompaniment, although it made your ears burn! The restaurant closed a couple years after that, and the new management did not continue serving this. I have looked on-line and several Mexican-type restaurants later, still have not found anything close to it. They also sold it in jars, at the time. Could you find out who owned the restaurant at that time, if they currently have a restaurant in the Dallas area, or where I might obtain this delightful food item?
Well, since I haven’t been drinking this morning I think I can say with some authority that Caliente was owned by Jim and Liz “The Baroness” Baron who now rule over the Blue Mesa Grill empire. An e-mail has been sent to the Baroness. We’ll await her reply.
UPDATE: Well that was easy. The Baroness replies, “That’s our jalapeno relish! We continue to serve it at our Blue Mesa Grills. Click on our website for a home adapted version of the recipe – or come in and try some!”
