Tag Archives: food

Five Great Reasons to Raise a Family in San Antonio

Photo Courtesy of DoSeum

Photo Courtesy of DoSeum

San Antonio is truly the best of both worlds. While it’s a big city with all the perks – great restaurants, international airport, and even Uber – at heart, San Antonio still maintains a small-town feel and community of people where family is always the number one priority. Here’s why we think it’s the best place to make a home and raise a family:

  1. Kid-Friendly Museums. Both the Witte Museum and the DoSeum children’s museum have spent millions of dollars to create environments where kids not only have fun but learn in the process. The Witte focuses on both science and culture. Their newly renovated space has a permanent dinosaur exhibit, a revolutionary interactive wellness exhibit and so much more. The Doseum is a wonderland for kids of all ages, with places to play, explore and create, from “Spy Academy” to “Little Town.” Both museums also offer a free night for families.
  2. Parks. San Antonio is filled with some of the most amazing parks. You can get lost among the bike trails at McAllister Park, explore the Greenway Trails from one side of the city to another. You can walk, bike or run along this beautiful 52-mile trail system. Phil Hardberger Park, on the northside, is another popular option for families and also has a playground for the kiddos. However, the ultimate park for kids may just be Brackenridge Park, where they can ride the mini train, feed the ducks and families can barbecue and relax on weekend afternoons. Be sure to get there early to get a good spot!
  3. Safe and Inexpensive. According to real estate site, Movoto, Texas is the most family-friendly state in the nation. The cost of living is low, and the cost of building a house is still low, particularly when compared to other metropolitan cities. Considering its size, San Antonio maintains short commutes and a surprisingly low crime rate as well.
  4. Education. From High Schools to Colleges, San Antonio offers a wide variety of educational opportunities. We have one of the top 10 magnate schools right here in town – the North East School of the Arts, as well as the always impressive UTSA, not to mention private colleges, such as Trinity and Incarnate Word. All of these offer students an excellent education right here at home.
  5. The Food. We mentioned it before, but we’ll say it again. One of our favorite reasons to raise a family here is because of the food. From inexpensive Tex-Mex (the best in Texas) to chef-driven restaurants run by the most amazing chefs graduating from our own Culinary Institute of America (perfect for date nights when you can find a babysitter). Yes, we have it all!

If you’re thinking of relocating to San Antonio, give call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a free consultation. We’ll not only help you build your dream home, but we’ll help you find the right place to live for you and your family. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Celebrate Memorial Day with these Great Recipes

barbecue pics

Although in San Antonio, we’re never short of reasons to celebrate, Memorial Day is the perfect time to don your chef’s hat and impress your friends with a menu of yummy dishes, but ones that aren’t too complicated either. What’s the point if you don’t get to relax a little too?! This is our ideal Memorial Day cookout:

COCKTAIL – Fizzy Ginger Lemonade

Kick-off the party with a refreshing drink. We found a fun recipe for a Fizzy Ginger Lemonade that you can also make a little boozy for adults by adding your spirit of choice.

Ingredients

2-inch knob ginger, peeled and cut into small chunks

1 cup fresh juice from 10 to 12 lemons

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch salt

1 cup cold water

2 cups (1 pint) club soda

1 quart ice

Directions

Combine ginger, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and water in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Add club soda and ice and stir to combine. Serve immediately in ice-filled glasses.

APPETIZER – Spicy Deviled Eggs

These may not taste like Grandma’s, but you’ll love them just the same!

Ingredients

12 hard-cooked large eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1 tablespoon capers, drained

1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Minced fresh cilantro

Directions

Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; set whites aside. In a small bowl, mash yolks. Add the mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, capers, mustard, salt and white pepper; mix well. Stuff or pipe into egg whites. Refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with cilantro.

MAIN COURSE – Barbecued Short Ribs with Cucumber & Orange Salad

Nothing screams Memorial Day like cooked meats, but why not try something different. Leave those chicken thighs and sausages in the freezer. Your family will thank you!

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 1/2 pounds bone-in short ribs

Cooking spray

1 navel orange, thickly sliced

4 Persian cucumbers, shaved paper thin (about 2 cups)

1/4 cup thinly shaved shallots (about 2 shallots)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

3/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 habanero chile, seeded and thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, grated on a rasp or Microplane grater

1 tablespoon uncooked long-grain white rice

Directions

1. Combine first 6 ingredients. Pat ribs dry; rub with spice mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Heat grill to medium heat.

3. After preheating, turn left burner off (leave right burner on). Coat grill rack with cooking spray. Arrange ribs on left side of grill rack; grill, covered, 3 hours or until tender and a thermometer registers 200° (maintain grill temperature at 325°). Place ribs on a cutting board; cover loosely with foil. Let stand 10 minutes.

4. Increase grill temperature to high. Place orange slices on right side of grill rack; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until charred. Cool slightly; coarsely chop. Combine orange and next 8 ingredients (through grated garlic) in a large bowl.

5. Cook rice in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the color of toast, stirring frequently. Place rice in a spice grinder or mortar; finely grind.

6. Remove rib meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into thin slices. Place cucumber mixture on a platter; top with rib meat. Sprinkle with ground rice.

Now that you have the menu, why not let us help you create the perfect house for all of your future holiday parties?! Call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list to receive our newsletter, please sign up here.