Bum Steer

A "steer" is a piece of advice (cited from at least 1899, probably from Texas). Not long after that, a "bum steer" came to mean a bad piece of advice. "Bum rap" is a…

Bum Steer Awards (Texas Monthly)

Texas Monthly has an annual issue (since 1974) of "Bum Steer Awards." It's an award Texans don't want to win. A Texas Monthly subscription may be required to views the winners…

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are fritters (dough rolled out like a tortilla, then deep-fried and covered with sugar and cinnamon) that have been cited in Spain from at least the 1700s. Buñuelos have been served on…

Burrito

Entry in progress -- B.P. WIkipedia: BurritoA burrito (IPA: /bəˈriːto/), or taco de harina, is a type of food found in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. It consists of a flour tortilla wrapped or…

Buttermilk Dressing (Buttermilk Salad Dressing)

Buttermilk became widely used in salad dressings from the 1920s. By the 1950s and 1960s, recipes for "buttermilk (salad) dressing" became quite numerous in newspapers. In 1967, Hidden…

Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk pie is popular all over the South, but it's especially popular in Texas. In West Texas -- where there's not always enough fruit for fruit pies -- buttermilk pie is a classic…

Buzzard’s Breath Chili

Buzzard's Breath Chili was the winning recipe at the CHili Appreciation Society's International Cookoff in Terlingua, Texas, in either 1971 or 1977 (the below accounts differ). The same…

BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat)

BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat) is a practice at some barbecues. The BBQ establishment lends the use of its smokers, but participants must bring their own meat (steaks, hamburgers, chicken, ribs, et…

Cactus Capital of Texas (Sanderson nickname)

The tiny city of Sanderson (population less than 1,000) has more cacti than people. In 1999, at the urging of local legislator Stillman Dudley and Economic Development Coordinator Terry Toler, the…

Cadillac of Poker (Texas Hold ‘em nickname)

Texas hold 'em has been called the "Cadillac of poker," after the General Motors luxury car called Cadillac. American poker player Doyle Brunson coined the name in his book, titled…

Cajeta

Cajeta (a caramel-like thick, dark syrup or paste) is Mexico's answer to Argentina's dulce de leche. Cajeta is traditionally made with goat's milk, while dulce de leche uses…

Cajun Capital of Texas (Port Arthur nickname)

Port Arthur is close to Louisiana and has been called the "Cajun Capital of Texas." 30 August 1969, Dallas (TX) Morning News, "About Cajun Cooking In Port Arthur Town" by Frank…

Cajun Egg Rolls (Cajun Eggrolls)

"Cajun egg rolls" (or "Cajun eggrolls") are a little different from Chinese-American egg rolls or Southwestern eggrolls. The ingredients vary, but the egg roll can include…

Cajun Fries

"Cajun fries" are french fried potatoes with Cajun seasoning. "Cajun fries" are cited in print from at least 1969, but became nationally known in the 1980s, when Cajun food…

Cajun Ketchup (Tabasco sauce nickname)

Tabasco sauce (a hot sauce made from tabasco peppers, vinegar and salt) has been produced by the McIlhenny family since 1868. The sauce is produced at Avery Island, Louisiana. The Tabasco nickname…

Cala (rice fritter)

Calas (seldom written in the singular "cala") are rice fritters that were popular in Creole New Orleans in the 19th century and early 20th century. These rice fritters or rice doughnuts…

Calf Fries

Calf fries are calf testicles, deep-fried. There are many other names for "calf testicles," including "(Rocky) mountain oysters" or "prairie oysters." "Calf…

Calf Slobber (Calf Slobbers)

Calf slobber (also "calf slobbers") is that white stuff found in a calf's mouth. It became the nickname for meringue that tops pies or egg custards. A foamy head of beer is also…

California of Texas (Clyde nickname)

The city of Clyde (Callahan County) promoted itself as the "California of Texas" in 1926-1927; the city nickname even appeared on a water tower. Clyde -- like California -- grows many…