And the country of the month is...

[Susann]

...Actually a state this month. My husband picked Texas this month. I recall the Texas sheet cake from a while back which I will make. Also, I think I may make Texas cavier, (even though my husband has issues with beans!).Any other good suggestions or web sites? This should be fun...

[jillr]

There's always chili and cornbread muffins.

I found this site that might be helpful www.texascooking.com (http://www.texascooking.com)

I hope you get some tried and true recipes from others.

Jill

[Susann]

Sorry-I just realized I didn't explain what I was talking about, in case you are new to the BB. Every month, my husband gives me a country (or state, or region) and I make recipes from the country. I think I was just so excited to get a new area to research I got a little ahead of myself with my first post!

[Marsha]

As a Texas native, I'd suggest you go the Tex-Mex route. Our food heritage has been colored by the 6 flags - so it's a real hodge-podge. Since Tex-Mex isn't Mexican food, you could use it without encroaching on your Mexican month - such as fajitas, tacos, taco salad, guacamole (I won't suggest refried beans since your husband has a bean aversion!). BBQ brisket, ribs, chicken on the grill - anything on the grill! I think you can find most of these on the CL recipe search or epicurious - if you need some help, post a request.

[Beth]

A slow cooked brisket is probably the Texas classic, but anything on the grill is possible. Pepper Jelly with cream cheese and toasts or wheat crackers would be a possible non-bean alternative to a Texas Caviar (do you mean the black-eyed pea stuff?), although both that and the black bean (and Deanna's bean and corn salsa) versions we've been posting here are all good.

If you're grilling, throw on some veggies there too, corn on the cob with chili butter, tomatoes-squash and peppers, potatoes, whatever. I love the Texas Sheet Cake myself, but non-chocolate deserts could include pecan pie, pralines, and here's a peach-pecan ice cream recipe I just got from Better Homes and Gardens. I'm sure it could be lightened up if you like.

Peach-Pecan Ice Cream--From Better Homes and Gardens Online
Toasting the pecans intensifies their flavor and helps keep them crisp.


3 cups half-and-half or light cream
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups whipping cream
4 cups finely chopped,
peeled peaches or one
16-ounce package frozen unsweetened peach slices,
thawed and finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
Peach slices (optional)

In a very large mixing bowl combine half-and-half or light cream,
sugar, and vanilla. Stir till sugar is dissolved. Stir in whipping
cream. Stir in chopped peaches and toasted pecans.

Freeze in a 4- or 5-quart ice-cream freezer according to
manufacturer's directions. Garnish with peach slices, if desired.
Makes 2 quarts (16 servings).

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare and freeze ice cream as above.
Remove dasher. Repack outer freezer bucket with ice and
salt and ripen for about 4 hours.

Nutrition facts per serving: 329 calories, 24 g total fat,
14 g saturated fat, 78 mg cholesterol, 35 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein, 27% vitamin A, 4% vitamin C, 6% calcium, 1% iron.

By the way, some folks in these parts believe Texas is a country. It's definitely a state of mind! Enjoy!

[Beth]

If you aren't into grilling, I'll repost the Chili Colorado recipe. It's not a true Texas chili, but it's so rich and flavorful, this Texas has adopted it.

[Deanna]

While I do LOVE chili...I generally save it for the fall/winter months. It's just too darn hot for a steaming bowl of stew!

This website (Chef Stephen Pyles "New Tastes From Texas) may be helpful...have fun!
http://www.kera.org/tv/local/tastes/index.ssi



[This message has been edited by Deanna (edited 07-04-2000).]

[Liz K]

I think the Southwestern Lasagna from the July issue could be considered a Texas food.

BBQ chicken pizza could also be something considered "Texan". You can make your own dough or use a prepared crust (such as Boboli) and add grilled chicken, bbq sauce, jalepenos and cheese.

Great. Now I've made myself hungry!

[This message has been edited by Liz K (edited 07-04-2000).]

[Susann]

Tonight was our first official Texas night! I made a tex mex bake (from texascooking.com-Thanks for the site, Jillr!). If you are interested, here is the recipe.
2 c crushed corn chips (I used baked)
1 large egg, beaten
2 T. water
1 envelope soup mix
1 lb. ground beef (I used turkey)
4 oz can chopped chiles, drained
1 c. mont. jack cheese, grated
8 oz tomato sauce (I used more)
1 m green pepper, chopped (I used red)

Heat oven to 350. Combine corn chips, egg, and water. Press into a 9 inch pie plate. Bake for 10 minutes
Combine soup mix through chiles. Add 1/2 cup cheese. Evenly press in prepared crust. top with tomato sauce, then pepper. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Top with remaining cheese, than bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and beef is done.

On paper, it sounds delicious, right? Well,it was ok. But the crust was way too dry. Should I have added a little oil? Also, I think ground beef would have done better with the turkey. I also added chile powder, garlic, and cumin to the beef mixture.

More Texas recipes to come....

[Deanna]

Susann..is this something you guys do all the time? Just wondering...

P.S. Just checked your profile...should have guessed you are a teacher! Is hubby also a teacher?

[This message has been edited by Deanna (edited 07-06-2000).]