fbpx

Texas Independence Inspired Dishes

texas inspired recipes for texas independence day

We Texans have always had our own ways of doing things, and in celebration of Texas Independence Day this March 2nd, we’ve got some uniquely Texan takes on dishes that have come to define us.

 


frito pie casserole recipe fritos chili


Frito Pie Bake   

Makes: 6 to 8 servings | Time: 1 hour + 15 minute bake

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef
2 cups chicken broth
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, with juice
2½ tsp. dried onion
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oregano
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup chili powder
28 oz. Fritos corn chips (2 bags of 14 oz. each)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
green onions, diced

Directions:

Prepare chili by browning beef over medium heat in a large pot, then drain and return to stove. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes, and all dry seasoning. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Simmer on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. In the last 10 minutes of the chili cooking, preheat oven to 400 ˚F. Scatter Fritos on a 9”x13” casserole dish and set aside. Once chili is ready, pour over Fritos. You can use all of the chili or your desired amount and refrigerate leftovers. Sprinkle cheese on top of chili and bake 15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let set 2 or 3 minutes, then top with green onions and sour cream.

Tips and Tricks

The key to good Frito pie is good chili. This chili recipe can be made ahead of time and kept on warm in a slow cooker. Guests can assemble their own Frito pie at meal time! Add Fritos to a bowl, then top with chili, cheese, and any other desired toppings


 

margarita lime texas recipe


Tate Farms Fresh
Lime Margarita

Makes: 1 serving | Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1.5 oz.tequila (we prefer Dulce Vida because it is a Texas brand)
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice, about 1 or 2 limes
0.5 oz. blue agave or simple syrup
1 cup ice
salt
fresh lime wedges

Directions:

Pour ice into medium glass for mixing. Pour tequila, lime juice, and blue agave or simple syrup into glass.   Stir or shake to combine. Set aside. Prepare margarita glass by running a fresh lime wedge around the rim and coating it in salt.   Pour margarita into salt rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime and enjoy

Tips and Tricks

You can also replace ½ oz. of tequila with an orange liqueur like triple sec or Grand Marnier.

FUN FACT: The world’s first frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas in 1971 by restaurateur Mariano Martinez.

 


 

Mini Texas Pecan Pie Recipes


Gammy’s Mini
Pecan Pie Muffins

Makes: 30 to 34 mini muffins | Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup all purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup butter, melted and completely cooled
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 ˚F. Spray mini muffin pan with nonstick baking spray. Mix flour and brown sugar by hand in a mixing bowl. Add eggs, butter, and vanilla. Mix by hand until completely combined. Stir in pecans. Fill each mini muffin tin with 1 Tbsp. of mixture. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden brown around the edges

Tips and Tricks

Different ovens may lend a different bake on this muffin. Start checking around 17 minutes. Muffins are ready when the edges are golden and crispy. The goal is a crispy outside and a soft inside

FUN FACT: This recipe is our twist on pecan pie, a Texas original! My husband’s grandmother made this recipe for every special occasion in her home and it is now our go-to for an easy dessert. Serve a few muffins with a scoop of ice cream and you are set!

 

 


 

Melissa Tate - Food Blogger

ABOUT OUR CHEF

Melissa is a freelance food writer with a passion for hospitality and home cooked meals. Along with writing, she helps her husband run their working ranch and event venue in Rockwall, Texas. To follow her cooking and ranching adventures visit MelissaTateTX.com or find her on Instagram at @melissatatetx

You May Also Like

A Resolution to Stick With

Resolve to keep your other resolutions by caring for yourself first

Three Ways to Fight the Flu and Stay Healthy

      3 Ways to Keep it at Bay and Stay Healthy By ...

Mother's Day thoughts from a first time mom

Mother Days

By Jessica Dovey   When I became a mother last year, it was like ...

Rethink and Repurpose – New Approaches For Lesser-Used Rooms

New Approaches For Lesser-used Rooms By Annette Brooks With the arrival of the new ...

Crinkle Crusades

Which line-smoothing injectable is more effective? Dysport or Botox? Lines on your face need ...

Puppy Prep

Whether you are looking for a best friend for your kids or a fur-baby ...