Prairie Fire (Tabasco and tequila cocktail)
"Prairie Fire" is a hot cocktail of tequila and Tabasco sauce. It is not known where the drink originated. WikipediaCanadian Prairie Fire½ to 1 part Tabasco sauce 1 part Yukon Jack…
Archive for 10/2006
Prairie Fire (hot hors d’oeuvre)
"Prairie Fire" is the name of the hot hors d'oeuvre that was served by Helen Corbitt, of Neiman-Marcus fame, in the 1950s. Helen Corbitt's Cookbookby Helen CorbittBoston:…
Hopkins County Stew
Hopkins County, Texas created its famous Hopkins County stew sometime about 1900. There are many recipes for it and an annual competition is held. Sulphur Springs News-TelegramHOPKINS COUNTY…
Texas Popcorn (fried okra; stuffed jalapeños)
"Texas popcorn" can be either fried okra or crabmeat stuffed jalapeños. Or, it can simply mean popcorn that's made in Texas. Ashtray RecipesCrabmeat stuffed jalapeños (texas…
Pedernales River Chili (LBJ recipe)
Lyndon Baines Johnson of Texas was the 36th President of the United States, but this recipe was published when he was vice president in 1961. Pronounced "Pur-DIN-alice," the Pedernales…
Katy Kornettes
"Katy Kornettes" were cornbread nuggets that were served on the "Katy" (Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad) in the early 1900s. Cooks.comKATY KORNETTES 1 lb. white cornmeal1 tbsp.…
“Bigger than Dallas” (“Bigger ‘n Dallas”)
Dallas is big. Houston, however, is the most populous city in Texas. Dallas has long been nicknamed "Big D." The phrase "bigger than Dallas" ("bigger 'n Dallas")…
SoCo (South Congress Avenue, Austin)
SoCo is the nickname for the South Congress Avenue area of Austin. The name is reminiscent of SoHo in New York City. "SoCo" meaning Southern Comfort was used by the Austin Chronicle in…
“He ain’t fit to tote guts to a bear”
"He ain't fit to tote guts to a bear" is a disparagement of a cowboy cook. The origin of the phrase is uncertain. 3 October 1956, Burlington (NC) Daily Times-News, pg. 7:One Florida…
“Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a cook”
"Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a cook" is a popular bit of cowboy wisdom. The origin of the phrase is unclear. Harry Oliver's Desert Rat Scrap BookOnly a fool argues…
“Horse high, bull strong, and pig tight” (qualities of a Texas fence)
A good fence should be "horse high, bull strong, and pig tight." These qualities became associated with a Texas fence, but they applied to any fence. The phrase dates from the 19th…
“Wild as an acre of snakes”
"Wild as an acre of snakes" is said to be a Texas phrase (according to the Texas Monthly). Texas musician Stephen Bruton wrote a song called "Acre of Snakes." The phrase has…
Brazos River Catfish Stew
"Brazos River Catfish Stew" is a Texas recipe that was popularized on the Food Network. Wikipedia: Brazos RiverThe Brazos River, originally called, the Rio Brazos de Dios which can be…
Popo (Pissing Off a Police Officer?)
"Popo" is slang for a police officer. Some people think the word "popo" is an acronym for "pissing off a police officer." There is some evidence that this slang…
“If God had wanted Texans to ski, He would have given them mountains”
"If God had wanted Texans to ski, He would have given them mountains" is an anti-Texas bumper sticker that appeared in New Mexico and in Colorado in the 1970s. Actually, it was Texas…
Dinosaur Wine (oil)
Texas humorist Kinky Friedman ran for Texas Governor in 2006, referring often to "dinosaur wine" (oil). The term has been cited since at least 1985. Double-Tongued Word Wresterdinosaur…
San Jacinto Corn
Most of the corn of Texas can be traced to the corn acquired at the victorious Battle of San Jacinto (1836). The soldiers had wanted to call it Houston corn, but Sam Houston urged them to call it…
Hot Hamburger
"Hot Hamburger" is a specialty of Murphy's Original Steak House West in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Murphy's famous "Hot Hamburger" puts french fries and gravy over the…
Jumbo State (Texas nickname)
Texas was called the "Jumbo State" in the late 1800s because it's a big state, like the famed "Jumbo" elephant was large. NetState.comThe Jumbo State: In 1882, P.T. Barnum…
Banner State (Texas nickname)
Texas was called the "Banner State" in the late 1800s because it voted largely Democratic at that time. "Banner state" means a state that "carries the banner" for any…