Zemog's Cocina Mexicana, Omaha's Taste of Texas!

For those of you who connect life to family, friends & food will understand this blog post. For those of you who don't, well your probably not reading my blog to start with!

My husband & I went last Saturday to Zemog's Cocina Mexicana in Omaha Nebraska. We had seen this eatery several times, but never stopped. So far we had not found the style of Mexican food in the Midwest that we longed for. Our search is over!

Our servers name was Justin, he greeted us at the table with a big smile and basket of freshly made corn tortilla chips. The salsa that came with them was very mild but had great flavor. I looked at my husband and said "I'm feeling very hopeful about this meal, it smells right in here!"

Now if your from Texas or just know good Tex-Mex food, the cafe should smell like masa & spices when you walk in the door. If the wonderful scent of ground corn or chili peppers doesn't hit your olfactory receptor (nose) quickly, then the food may not be real Tex-Mex. The first thing my husband said after we sat down was "It smells like Morales cafe in here" This was just an incredible seal of approval before the meal even came.

It's like the smell of a Thanksgiving dinner cooking in the oven, the smell is the beginning of the meal. It is said we eat with our eyes first, but I think we should rethink that & say we eat with our smeller first. When my mom cooked cabbage...I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling about dinner!

After talking to our server Justin, I found out he just arrived from Austin, Texas. Now for those of you who know food, you know it's the mecca of Tex-Mex restaurants. Of course San Antonio would argue with that, but so would all the towns in Texas! Zemogs is owned by Justin's dad so my day was getting better by the minute.

When the plates were placed on the table, I knew things were going to taste like they smelled. We ordered combination plates. We tried the chicken enchilada with Verde sauce, puffy beef taco, pork tamale, cheese enchilada & beef enchilada smothered in red chili gravy.

The Verde sauce on the chicken enchilada was incredible. It was freshly made with mild green peppers & spices. This may not be the enchilada sauce you want to start with, but it's great.

The red chili gravy on the cheese & beef enchiladas was a traditional sauce that couldn't have been any better. Knowing the work that goes into that simple sauce or gravy as it's known, shows the pride that this restaurant takes in the quality of the food they serve.

Puffy tacos are so Central Texas! Being from East Texas I had never had one, so when I saw those on the menu, I had to try one. They are crispy but soft too, don't crumble like a fried corn tortilla but are all warm & delicious.

Tamales...there are many different type, but these at Zemog's were the type that said welcome home to me! Zemog's are made in the traditional way to make a  firmer tamale. These were served with a delicious pork filling. Tex-Mex can have beef or chicken fillings also but I prefer the pork & the old style myself. These were delicious & I would go back just to buy these for a take-out dinner.

I can say that you will not be disappointed in this restaurant if you love Tex-Mex. If your not sure, they have great choices like salads & burritos that are more Midwest-Mex. Nothing is too spicy, of course I am a Texan & like the heat. Justin, our server, brought us the hot salsa also & it was great.

I recommend anyone in Omaha trying Zemog's Cocina Mexicana. Be open to the fact that Tex-Mex isn't the only style Mexican food they have on the menu. The cafe was spotless & pleasantly decorated with fun table tops to enjoy. The "ginormous" sizing of the food isn't a joke! You get so much that I took enough home for lunch the next day. The atmosphere is casual, laid back & so very friendly. It's a little bit of Tex-Mex on the corner of 108th & Q St in Omaha Nebraska. 

http://www.zemogs.com/

Take out available!



Spicy Cole Slaw with Candied Jalapenos

I love cole slaw. It's so easy now that they do all the shredding for you. I know fresh chopped cabbage is better & I should tell you to use that, but sometimes we need things that are really quick & easy!

Cole slaw is one of those salads that can take on many different flavors. One of our favorites would be Spicy Cole Slaw with Candied Jalapenos. It's great with BBQ, burgers or anything off the grill.

Spicy Cole Slaw

1 package of precut slaw mix

2 tablespoons of Franks Sweet Red Chili

1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, drained well
reserve 1 tablespoon of the pineapple juice

2 tablespoons of chopped candied jalapenos (recipe below)

1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion

Mix the Frank's Sweet Red Chili sauce & 1 tablespoon of the pineapple juice.

Add this to the slaw, then add all other ingredients. 

Toss well to coat.

Will still look a little dry, but the cabbage will release moisture as it sits, so don't add more wet ingredients.

When you are ready to serve, if it looks to dry add a little more of the Franks before serving.

Place in fridge & let chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for the full flavor to develop.



Candied Jalapeno Peppers

4 large jalapeno peppers, washed well
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/8 tsp of kosher salt

Wash jalapenos & cut into rings. You can remove the seeds if you would like less heat. I enjoy the heat & left them in.

In large skillet mix water & sugar, add the salt. Bring to a low boil, mixing well.

Reduce heat to medium-high heat & add jalapenos.
Stir to coat peppers with sugar mixture, cook for 3 minutes.

Remove & let cool the peppers cool.

After they are cooled, bring sugar mixture back to medium-high heat & cook again for 3 minutes. Remove & cool.

Can be stored in fridge until ready to use in recipes. Use within a week for food safety sake!

Spicey Mama's Texas Chili

Years ago after leaving Texas I began the journey of creating chili perfection. When you live in the Chili capital of the world, you just assume that all chili is Texas style. In my mind's eye I see a steaming bowl of deep red, full flavored and spicy chili. Real Texas chili would not have beans or be any color other than a deeply robust red.

I have learned that people call lots of things chili and they all taste good. I will say I have had some great soups & stews that are made with the same spices but they aren't chili! I thought I had found the ultimate Texas chili at a chain restaurant that bears the Texas name...but after dipping my spoon in with excitement... I pulled out a bean! I will admit I do still order chili there because everything else is perfect and worth over looking the innocent bean.

This is my recipe for Texas Red Chili, if you add beans, please don't tell me! I might have to send out a Chili Intervention team to your house.

Spicey Mama’s Texas Red Chili

2 lbs of ground beef or turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 small jalapeño, chopped
1 Anaheim pepper, chopped
1 Poblano pepper, chopped
1 T. cilantro, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 tsp. Canola oil
1 large can (28oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14.5oz.) tomato sauce, add a 2nd can if you like thinner chili
½ package Spicey Mama’s Texas Chili Seasoning or your favorite chili mix
Salt to taste

May use 1/2 of each pepper for a milder chili. When you cook or roast peppers they loose some of their heat. I like to roast mine in the oven before using, this gives a great deep flavorful taste to your chili.

Chop onions, peppers, cilantro & garlic
Heat oil in large heavy dutch oven over med-high heat.
Cook onions and peppers in oil for about 2 minutes, then add the garlic and cilantro and cook for about a minute stirring well to prevent garlic from over cooking.

Add meat to the pepper/onion mix and sprinkle the Spicey Mama’s over the meat.Continue to stir gently while meat is browning.

Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to meat/pepper mix and stir gently to prevent breaking up the meat to finely.

Taste and add salt or more seasoning. Will get spicier as it cooks but you can adjust the needed heat with more of the seasoning mix. If your using the Spicey Mama's Chili Seasoning from our website you may need to add salt, but if you use a grocery store product be sure & taste it before adding more.

Cook on low heat for about an hour, and then simmer very low until ready to serve.

Serve it in bowls with shredded sharp cheddar cheese, minced red onions and if you like them..add a few pickled jalapeños to the top!

Serves 4-6
Just double everything if you double the meat!

Visit my website @ http://www.newsouthernpantry.com if you would like to use the Spicey Mama's Texas Chili Seasoning in this recipe.
Spicey Mama's has no salt or sugar and it is free of gluten, MSG & preservatives. We use no fillers or artificial products in our all natural products.