No Turkey on Thanksgiving? Yes, please!

Ok, so it is almost on noon on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. And I still haven't gotten a turkey. I have good reasons for what should seem to be reckless procrastination. I just flew home from four day jaunt in Philadelphia to see family and eat carbs. Heck, I could go on a cleanse right now but it's Thanksgiving and I have to make something. And it is looking like it won't be turkey. Why? Well the best turkeys I have made involve brining, a process where salt(sometimes sugar and various aromatics) are seasoned either in a water solution or simply rubbed on the bird(dry brining). This takes up to several days. And while that ensures a flavorful and juicy bird, it takes more time than I have. So let's save some time with these tasty No Turkey Thanksgiving alternatives:

Option 1: Slow Roasted Salmon

My first option for a No Turkey Thanksgiving is slow roasted salmon. Now, being the holidays, I recommend you skip the Atlantic farmed salmon variety for something worth breaking out the good china for. This is an Ora King Salmon that I roasted low and slow. It can get pricey but in my experience, splurging on seafood is always worth it and will always be a fraction of what it costs when you go out. Recipe below:

• brush filet with olive oil, season with Kosher salt, fine ground pepper, herbs de provence
• roast in 275 degree oven till an internal temp of 120-130 degrees(the less the better IMO)
• serve as is or with an aioli or this: creme fraiche sauce

Option 2: Grill roasted rack of pork

My second option for a No Turkey Thanksgiving is a roasted rack of pork. Three years ago I grabbed this Berkshire Tomahawk Pork roast and roasted it on the grill. It was magnificent and I might do it again this year. The oven would work instead of a grill and while you don't have to splurge on the Berkshire pork and stick with supermarket standard, it's so worth it to splurge because pork is a relative bargain. Recipe below:

• Mince fresh herbs and garlic and mix with enough Dijon mustard to cover the roast(will vary with size)
• Season pork with salt, pepper and ground fennel seed
• Spread mustard mixture on roast
• Roast or set up grill for indirect cook for a temp of 325-350 degrees. Cook until an internal temp of 130 degrees(USDA recommends 145 but the temp will rise after resting)

Option 3: Prime Rib

My third option for a No Turkey Thanksgiving is a Prime Rib. Well technically this was a boneless rib roast but hey, close enough. Think Rib Eye steaks but more of them, this is arguably the most decadent of holiday roasts. Pricey, but not necessarily more than a large organic free range or heirloom/heritage turkey. And it's easy to cook and is always a hit. Recipe below:

• Mince fresh herbs(thyme, rosemary, oregano) and garlic and mix with olive oil to cover the roast(will vary with size)
• Season generously with Kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper
• Spread herb mixture on roast
• Roast or set up grill for indirect cook for a temp of 325-350 degrees. Cook until an internal temp of 130 degrees. USDA recommends 145 but the temp will rise after resting and who wants to eat beef cooked to Medium Well?

So now it's quarter after 12pm. I still need to do more writing, a video for this post and clean out my grill. Then I gotta shop . . . . I think I might go pork if the cut is available but there is a likely chance I might somehow grab a bone in turkey breast and pray for a miracle. Either way, Thanksgiving will work out because like any great food holiday, it's about the people you share table with.   Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Ali Khan Eats picks for Austin TX.

Spoiler alert: They are all Bib Gourmands.

  The esteemed Michelin guide finally came to Texas and last week served up one star awards and other designations of quality to excited chefs and restaurants throughout the state. If you caught my last post you will have noticed that Austin walked away a big winner. I was most excited about what Michelin would designate as a "Bib Gourmand ". Per Michelin's website, the category "Bib Gourmand" is defined as: That is a bit open to interpretation. Let's be honest, some foods are recognizable to some people more than others. I'll wager that in the case of Austin tacos are pretty darn recognizable and so is BBQ which might explain why the list favored both. Best of restaurant listings are always going to have some sense of controversy. Something always gets left out. But I think one thing we can all agree on is that dining out is simply more expensive and I for one am more picky than ever on slapping the label of "value "to any restaurant experience. With that being said here is the Ali Khan Eats guide to the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas, Austin Bib Gourmand version.

Cuantos Tacos 1108 E. 12th Austin, TX 78702

In my mind this was where the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas absolutely nailed it. Without a doubt Cuantos Tacos offers the most bang for your buck when it comes to tacos in Austin Texas. Prices at $2.75 a taco, these delectable authentic Mexico City style street tacos are consistently delicious and reflect a style not seen often in the city. Expect to drop well under $20 per person, which is excellent value for the quality of taco you are getting.

Ramen Del Barrio 1700 W Parmer Ln Suite 100, Austin, TX 

Chef Christopher Krinsky grew up in Mexico but ramen is his muse. The result is a remarkable balancing act at Ramen Del Barrio. His tacos feature Yakitori - mini Japanese shish kebabs if you will, but ramen is the main focus. There is a fascinating version that plays with Molé in the broth that I am keen on trying but it's hard not to settle on the Carnitas Tonkotsu. Foodies eschew the word fusion because it seems like a gimmick, the forced merging of two things that don't naturally go together. That's why I won't use fusion but it comes to this Ramen because it's more like destiny: two distinctive foods separated by an ocean that somehow harmoniously go together.

KG BBQ 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723

Kareem El-Ghayesh made a life changing career change that took him from corporate finance in Cairo to becoming one of the most exciting new BBQ Pitmasters in Texas. He snagged a James Beard nomination, landed himself in a hit Netflix series, and as if that wasn't enough he also has a Michelin added to his name. You'll be tempted not to simply order a gigantic platter like what you see here but in the spirit of Bib Gourmand, allow me to offer you the cheap eats hack. Order one of his rice bowls and see how amazing classic Texas brisket pairs with the flavors of Egypt. The bowls are hearty enough for two people to share at lunch and won't break a $20 spot.

La Santa Barbacha 2806 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

The recipe to a Michelin Bib Gourmand winner it turns out, is one part family tradition, one part a dedication to eye catching details and the last is hitting something Austinites truly treasure: an excellent breakfast taco. While the main focus is braising perfect beef barbacoa, La Santa Barbacha spoils you on scrambled eggs cooked to order, once you get used to it, there is no going back.

Final thought on the 2024 Michelin guide to Texas

Those are a few of my favs from the 2024 Michelin Guide to Texas. What unites all of these for me is an impeccable sense of value. For me, a "Bib Gourmand" means one person can eat for about $20 before drink and tip. In 2024, certainly in Austin Texas, exceptional food at the price point is worth recognizing and my congrats to the Ali Khan Eats Bib Gourmand winners.

Three takeaways from Michelin Guide Texas 2024

Last night, the esteemed Michelin Guide delivered their verdict on the Texas dining scene. While some might be surprised that no restaurants in the state were awarded two or three stars, I was not. My guess is Michelin was looking to make a splash of their own and perhaps drum up more interest to see what they have to say in the future. But more importantly, what does the Michelin Guide Texas 2024 awards say about the restaurant scene in Texas? Here are my big three takeaways.

BBQ is the Texas food scene

Barbecue restaurants made a big splash at Michelin Guide Texas 2024. Out of 15 one star awards given, four went to barbecue restaurants, the most for any one single cuisine. Another 10 barbecue restaurants were awarded Bib Gourmand awards(Michelin's "value" award). I'd also add that for the barbecue world in general, Craft Texas barbecue is the North star. Expect top shelf brisket, fine dining techniques, and forays into non traditional food cultures to drive the direction of barbecue for many years to come.

The Austin food scene came up big

I was expecting the Michelin Guide Texas 2024 awards to showcase the diversity of the Texas food scene. I was wrong. Austin was the focus and dominated the awards when it came to getting the stars. The Bib Gourmands were more even spread with Austin taking 13 of the 45 awards.

I don't get the Bib Gourmand.

I thought I did, too. My understanding was the Bib Gourmand was a way to highlight humble eateries that could never be considered for a star. Like a taco truck. That wasn't the case. It seemed like there were in fact thin margins that kept say Franklin BBQ from getting a star whereas La Barbecue did. Maybe the margins weren't that thin because I'm not an inspector but the overall experience, especially price, is close. Some Bib Gourmands made total sense to me, like Cuantos Taco. Cheap, delicious and meticulously consistent, that seemed like a slam dunk. Other restaurants seemed like a Bib Gourmad is almost dare I say insulting? I won't name names but I kinda don't get it. For the sake of the diner, the variance in price and overall experience is perplexing varied.

Final Thought

First and foremost a big congrats to everyone who made the list. The restaurant business is a brutal one and the wins don't come often enough. And thanks to Michelin for coming to Texas because it will ultimately drive business and it never hurts to recognize talent and reward hard work. Coming up with a system to evaluate what ultimately is subjective experiences is a challenging one, nothing is perfect. If you're in Texas, let me know what you thought of the Michelin Guide Texas 2024 awards or Michelin in general.

Austin Food & Wine Festival 2024 recap

For the fourth year in a row I rocked the house at the Austin Food and Wine Festival. We ducked some rain, braved the heat because it's always hot in Austin and stumbled upon some new exciting bites. Here are a few of my favs from the weekend:

Honey Walnut Shrimp from Wu Chow

The line at Austin Food and Wine was deep for this sweet, creamy shrimp dish from local Chinese heavy hitter Wu Chow. This was one of those classic Cantonese dishes that for me symbolize the NYC Chinese experience. Wu Chow strives for that nostalgia with commendable execution. Certainly a staple in Austin's OG Chinese food scene.

Pimento Cheese sandwich from Cabot Creamery

Wine and cheese go hand in hand. At Austin Food and Wine Festival, Cabot Creamery made a smart play when it comes to cheese and hand held foods: A pimento cheese slider. The pro move was to chase this down with some sparkling wine, like Cava.

AIX Rosé

Every year I make an effort to hit up the AIX Rosé tent for a glass or three of this thirst quenching French Rosé. The color comes from the skins staying on just long enough but never mistake this wine for the headache inducing doppelganger, White Zinfandel. Pro Tip - you can pick up this bottle at Whole Foods and it's a decent value too.  

Nonna's Meatballs from The Laurel

Out in Hill Country, The Laurel is serving up upscale Northern Italian fare at Hotel Viata. I am a lover of meatballs and usually prefer an all beef blend. However the veal, pork, beef mix here was a welcomed mellow take and showcased the sauce. If I'm craving meatballs, it looks like I'll be making a trip out west for it. I hope these guys come back to Austin Food and Wine Festival next year.  

Hattie B's Nashville Hot Chicken slider

Hattie B's was my most memorable bite at Austin Food and Wine Festival in 2023 and the same holds true for 2024. The chicken breast is brined and is incredibly juicy and the heat packs a wallop. Even at medium, the heat is REAL.