The preconceived notion that there are men’s books and women’s books based on the biological imperative of gender is often debated in literary circles.

After reading over the Man’s Essential Library 100 Must Read Books on the Art of Manliness Web site (www.artofmanliness.com), I can only deduce that I am a man, if we are basing reading habits on gender alone.

Many of the books on the list were personal favorites, such as “The Great Gatsby” and “Swiss Family Robinson,” which was a prized possession when I was 10. Of course, I grew up in an era when male writers dominated the English curriculum.

First we studied the ancient ones — Homer, Vergil, Shakespeare and Milton — and then the more modern ones — Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Bradbury and Orwell. Not once did I think to myself, “Why are we studying all these men,” or “How could Shakespeare, a man, possibly write the voice of Desdemona with authenticity?”

Interestingly, three women authors did make the Man’s Essential Library 100 list. Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry,” a medieval mother’s guide for her son by early anti-misogynist Christine de Pizan, and Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” evidently represent the women in touch with their more masculine side.

One theme that does seemingly occur perennially in men’s literature more so than women’s is that of violence as a catalyst for understanding our humanity and arriving at some kernel of truth. No modern author is better at this synthesis than Cormac McCarthy. His very violent 1985 novel, “Blood Meridian, Or the Evening Redness in the West,” made the Man’s Essential Library list. It follows a lead character known only as “the kid,” who runs away from an abusive father in Tennessee and ends up in Nacogdoches, Texas.

From there he rides with the historic Glanton Gang as an accomplice to their savage slaughter of Indians on the Texas-Mexico border in the 1850s. Adding to the quest for McCarthy’s gruesome truth is Judge Holden, the primary antagonist to “the kid.” His malicious code of ethics serves to highlight the idea that violence is the foundation of human nature. Expect the movie version of “Blood Meridian” in 2011.

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Rustle up some manly grub with these Southwestern flavors that know no gender bias.



GREEN CHILI QUICHE

Real men do eat green chili quiche.

1 refrigerated pie crust, room temperature

8 strips bacon

1 4-ounce can diced green chilies, drained

4 green onions, chopped

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 1/4 cups half and half

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Unfold crust and press crust into 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Prick well with a fork and bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven; reduce temperature to 400 degrees. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain. Crumble bacon. Sprinkle bacon, then chilies and green onion over crust. Combine Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese and sprinkle over. Beat half and half, eggs and salt in medium bowl to blend. Pour half and half mixture into crust. Bake quiche until knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let quiche stand 5 minutes. Cut quiche into wedges and serve.



MEXICAN GARLIC BREAD

1 loaf garlic bread

13 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons chopped onions

Garlic powder

2 to 3 green onions with tops, chopped

4 ounces chopped black olives

Chopped jalapeno peppers, to your taste

1/4 cup melted butter

Split bread lengthwise in half. Combine cheese, mayonnaise, onions, dash of garlic powder and olives in a bowl. Add desired amount of jalapeños, mix well. Spread mixture on each half of bread. Drizzle with melted butter. Place on baking sheet or heavy duty foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until bubbly; broil for 5 minutes until light brown.



TEX-MEX LASAGNA

1 15-ounce can tomato sauce

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped

1 cup red bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1 can Ro-Tel

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 10-ounce container low-fat sour cream

1 8-ounce package low-fat cream cheese

1 box oven ready lasagna noodles

1 package pepper-jack cheese

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking dish. In a Dutch oven, combine first 13 ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until some of the liquid is absorbed. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cream cheese. Spoon enough sauce into prepared dish to cover the bottom. Top with three uncooked lasagna noodles. Spread sour cream mixture over noodles, top with sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Repeat layer again. Bake 35-45 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Do not overfill your baking dish or lasagna will bubble over into oven. Serve with a salad of shredded lettuce, avocado, black olives, diced tomato and All Seasons Salsa Ranch dressing.

— Source: Paula Deen Magazine.



TEXAS PRALINES

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

1 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large saucepan, combine sugar, soda, salt and buttermilk. Cook over high heat, stirring constantly, to bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling and stirring until it begins to thicken and to take on a creamy tinge. It should be about 210 degrees on a candy thermometer at this time. Add butter and pecans and continue cooking over medium high heat until candy reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage). Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and allow to cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Beat the mixture until it begins to lose its gloss and is thick and creamy. Quickly drop into 2-inch mounds on waxed paper and allow to cool. If the mixture becomes too hard to beat, immerse pan bottom in hot water for several minutes and proceed. Makes 2 dozen.

— Source: www.texascooking.com.