JEFF BLANK has owned Hudson's on the Bend since 1984. His originality and creativity in the kitchen have earned him praise by the New York Times, Men's Journal, and many more publications. He is coauthor of Cooking Fearlessly, along with Jay Moore and Deborah Harter. He lives in Austin, Texas. Combine wild ingredients, a little kitchen chemistry, and a disregard for the ordinary, and you get the Hudson's on the Bend philosophy -a no-holds-barred approach to cooking that is pure Texas and a helluva good time. FIRED UP is the second cookbook to come out of Hudson's on the Bend restaurant, located outside of Austin, where chef Jeff Blank preaches and practices an adventurous cuisine as big and robust as the Lone Star State. Experience their latest daring dishes, like Hot and Crunchy Oysters on Sesame Crisps with Mango Salsa and Spicy Ancho Paint; Root Beer Ribs with Sarsaparilla BBQ Sauce; and Giant Rabbit Ravioli in Garlic Ancho Sage Butter. This fearlessly flavorful food is not for the faint of heart.