Texas on my table!

When a neighbor blesses you with a cantaloupe, fresh from Pecos, Texas, the floodgates of memory and possibility open wide. I’m guessing it was in the 1960’s that my wife’s grandparents educated me to the sterling character of Pecos cantaloupes. I’ve always liked cantaloupe, and knowing the source of some of the best just added to the enjoyment. Little did I know that the gifted cantaloupe would set the tone for breakfast, and the Texas travelogue that came with it.

There are other uses, some tried, and some imagined. I’ve had chilled cantaloupe soup, but have yet to try making it. Cantaloupe great in a fruit salad, which I’m guess we’ve all had. I’ve even had it with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream in the seedless hollow, and if you’ve not, I heartily recommend it.

But let’s keep traveling The Lone Star State.

I’m only guessing, but seems to reason that Texas Toast gets its name from the fact that it’s bigger (thicker) than all the other toasts out there. Mine was a 1′ thick slice of my go-to recipe for bread to ‘have on hand’, the Pullman Bread featured on my website.

Jimmy Dean was born in Seth Ward, Texas, an unincorporated spot with its own post office, located just northeast of Plainview. I’m not sure when he got into the sausage business, but it was a very successful move for him. Jimmy Dean Sausage is now owned by Tyson Foods, but the headquarters for the brand are located in Dallas.

Nate’s Honey is located in McKinney, Texas, but there’s a catch. According to ‘Nate’, USDA does not allow the “Organic” designation for domestic honeys, but does allow it for imported honeys. So, if your Nate’s says Organic, it’s not from Texas bees; if it’s their regular honey (and I have some of that, too), it’s Lone Star grown. The things we learn!

TexSun is a growers co-operative in Weslaco, Texas, gathering oranges from member growers in the Rio Grande Valley.

If all this gastronomic minutia drives you to drink, maybe craving a screwdriver in lieu of just orange juice, well, Tito’s Handmade Vodka is about as Texan as you can get.

Enjoy!!! And just remember, the Eyes of Texas are upon you!!!