We love Texas. Neither Mr. E or I were born here, but I've lived most of my life in Texas...and we've spent 18 of our almost 20 years of married life here. (Wow. I can't believe I just typed that sentence.)
Mr. E's job took us out-of-state for a few years and while it was beautiful, it was not our beloved Texas. I would go to the grocery store and think...they don't have tortilla chips and crackers and hamburger patties shaped like their state? What does the state flag here look like anyway? (You can't go far in Texas without seeing a Texas flag.)
Here's a short list of what I love about Texas:
- Tex-Mex: this includes a long list of tacos, queso, salsa, and chips...my life (and my tummy) would be empty without it.
- BBQ: this is NOT a backyard cookout. BBQ is beef (do you hear that, Carolina?) slow cooked over low heat and served with a spicy tomato-based sauce. And pickles. And a slice of white bread.
- The Texas flag: When you're out-of-state and you see a Texas flag, it brings you right back home.
- Bluebonnets: If you've never seen a field of Texas bluebonnets, well, check out social media in the springtime. It's in our contract at Texans that we must plop our children in a field of them and take pictures...even if it's on the side of the highway.
- Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett: Texas boys with a purely Texas sound.
- Boots and Beer: I don't care where you are in Texas...a wedding, a 5-star restaurant, the symphony, a quinceanera...it's never too fancy for boots and beer.
- Whataburger, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Chuy's, Torchy's, Pappasitos: and a thousand other Texas food establishments and companies that know that it doesn't have to be fancy to be delicious.
- The people. We've lived in Dallas and Houston, and a few months in Amarillo for me. Texas people are friendly people.
Two other things I love? Texas peaches and pecans. Be still my heart.
This Texas Peach and Pecan Cobbler is easily the best cobbler I've ever made. Pecans are not typically found in cobbler, but I think they should be...they add texture, crunch, and flavor. The cobbler batter, sweetened with brown sugar so it's rich and caramel-y, bakes up a bit like a cake. The Texas peaches are coated in a warm almond syrup before adding them to the batter. Divine.
Serve it warm, topped with vanilla ice cream, preferably Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.
Serve it warm, topped with vanilla ice cream, preferably Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.
I don't know about you, but I am constantly drinking water. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, and all the hours in between. It's always water for me. Ozarka® Brand Natural Spring Water comes from three Texas springs and has a uniquely Texan taste.
Can't find it? Check out Ozarka delivery.
As part of Ozarka's #FromHereForHere campaign, they sent me a box of Texas goodies:
Paqui tortilla chips, Snow's BBQ sauce, Yellowbird serrano sauce, The Jelly Queens BBQ sauce and rub, Taste Elevated mustard seeds, and Cookwell & Company queso.
Texas Peach and Pecan Cobbler
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 TBSP salted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
3 TBSP milk
3/4 cup chopped Texas pecans
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
juice of half lemon
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups peeled and chopped Texas peaches
vanilla ice cream
Grease an 8 x 8" pan. Preheat oven to 375.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
Beat the brown sugar and butter together until combined, then beat in the eggs. Mix in the milk. On low speed, add the flour mixture just until incorporated. Stir in the pecans.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Heat the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, lower the heat and keep at a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the lemon juice and almond extract. Turn off the heat and stir in the peaches.
Spoon the warm peaches and syrup over the batter.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, tenting with foil after 30 minutes.
Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.
Can't find it? Check out Ozarka delivery.
As part of Ozarka's #FromHereForHere campaign, they sent me a box of Texas goodies:
Paqui tortilla chips, Snow's BBQ sauce, Yellowbird serrano sauce, The Jelly Queens BBQ sauce and rub, Taste Elevated mustard seeds, and Cookwell & Company queso.
Texas Peach and Pecan Cobbler
1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 TBSP salted butter, room temperature
2 eggs
3 TBSP milk
3/4 cup chopped Texas pecans
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
juice of half lemon
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups peeled and chopped Texas peaches
vanilla ice cream
Grease an 8 x 8" pan. Preheat oven to 375.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.
Beat the brown sugar and butter together until combined, then beat in the eggs. Mix in the milk. On low speed, add the flour mixture just until incorporated. Stir in the pecans.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Heat the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, lower the heat and keep at a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in the lemon juice and almond extract. Turn off the heat and stir in the peaches.
Spoon the warm peaches and syrup over the batter.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, tenting with foil after 30 minutes.
Serve warm, topped with vanilla ice cream.
Do you live in Texas? Have you visited Texas?
What do you love about it?
