Friday, September 21

The Great State Fair of TEXAS!

 DON'T MISS IT, DON'T EVEN BE  LATE!!

Big Tex, Texas State Fair, Dallas
 Where can you ride your favorite rides, be greeted by a 50 foot tall cowboy, and eat every variety of food you never imagined could be fried? Where else, but only in the great state of Texas. The State Fair of Texas is one of the biggest events in a place where we do everything big. Big Tex, the state fair mascot, stands watch over the fairgrounds—the 52-foot talking cowboy certainly qualifies as big. Every September and October, millions of visitors to Fair Park hear Big Tex say, “Howdy folks. Welcome to the State Fair of Texas”. Fair Park, the 277-acre park that is known for its splendid art deco architecture, is located right in the heart of  Dallas, Big D to those of us who live here. The State Fair Park opened in 1936 for the Texas Centennial, a celebration to mark 100 years of independence from Mexico.
Reflecting Pool, Fair Park, Dallas
Any one who has attended a fair before understands state fairs are known for their good eats. The Texas State Fair is no exception and it all started with a simple corny dog, which was introduced during the 1942 fair. These days, the Texas State Fair hosts the corny dog eating championship, where the winners eat their way into a spot in the record books. From the corny dog, the offering of fried foods has expanded to include deep-fried butter, peaches and cream,  fried bacon and surprisingly good fried Coca-Cola.  Of course, non-fried foods are available at the Texas State Fair as well. Eating strange and tasty food has become one of the favorite things to do at the state fair. It's a good thing you'll have the chance to do some walking to work off your corny dog.
The calendar is jammed packed with events big and small at the State Fair of Texas. In addition to the variety of carnival rides and midway games offered where you can win yourself or your sweetie a prized stuffed bear, pig, or neon pink gorilla, there is also the annual showcase of the latest car models from all the major auto makers.  Not to be out done are the shows and exhibitions like the fair dog dancers, horse barrel racing, rodeo bull riding,  sheep herding and the ever popular pig races. You'll have the chance to enjoy free concerts from some of the biggest names in country, pop, and R&B when old favorites take to the stage along with today's newer artists.
Jams and jelly, pickles and mixed veggies, photography, quilting, Lego's, antiques, in fact any and all of the home arts, EVEN butter sculpturing.....so many contest, so many competitors, so many ribbons....these are the backbones of the State Fair of TEXAS. State fair visitors have a chance to join in the culinary fun with a variety of cooking contests. You'll be amazed at the creativity demonstrated in the Texas Pecan Cook-Off, Pillsbury Pie Contest or the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Crank Championship. There is a different cooking contest every single day of the fair. It is some mighty fine competition as you compete along side some of the best cooks in the state.....I know this to be true because I am that woman trying to WIN!!! With 20 years of Texas State Fair cooking contests behind me, I can say with clarity that it has been a challenge not easily won, but well worth my efforts. It has taught me to be a better cook, always trying harder and to continue looking for my next signature dish.
Staying true to it's roots, the Texas State Fair hosts a variety of agricultural events, including the annual Youth Livestock Auction. In fact one of the largest livestock shows and competitions takes place during the state fair. 4H clubs from around the state bring their prized livestock and produce from tomatoes to trophy animals. Some of the hottest competition to be found at the fair is in the judging ring during the livestock show.
Texas Longhorn Cheerleaders after football game, State Fair of Texas
One of the biggest events of the Texas State Fair is the Red River Rivalry. This annual match up pits rivals University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners in one of the most exciting games in college football, dating back over 110 years. The game is held during the second weekend in October at the Cotton Bowl, with the home team alternating from year to year. People come out of the woodwork for this football game and the fair is teeming with CRAZY fans! Good fun!

No matter what you want to do, eat, see, hear or smell at Fair Park IT'S FUN FUN FUN FOR EVERYONE! That's MY Texas State Fair!
Bagpipe Band under Big Tex, State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas begins Friday, September 28, 2012, and ends Sunday, October 21, 2012. If you don't live in Texas, come on down and enjoy a bit of our southern hospitality!
 

I hope you make it to the Texas State Fair in Dallas..........

.........you'll be glad ya did!

 

ENJOY!


the domestic curator ~ronda
FOR MORE INFO:
 WWW.BIGTEX.COM

Tuesday, September 18

Chocolate Chip Cookies: Take Two!

In my pursuit of the ultimate chocolate chip cookie, I've had to eat a few not so great cookies. You may be scratching your head wondering, 'How in the world can ANY cookie be unappealing'. Well, they can be dry, too crisp, crumbly, hard or a bit too doughy. Not to say that the 3 P's wouldn't eat any homemade cookie that I made, we haven't got that kind of problem here at Porter Central. The real trick here is getting the dough out of the bowl and into the oven before my family eats it raw!
 
When I found this recipe on Pinterest I decided it was a must try chocolate chip cookie recipe. It looks fantastic. So here goes......

 Chocolate Chip Cookies Take Two!

 

Ingredients

 
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 Tbsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 12 ounce bags semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 12 ounce bag dark chocolate chips
 
 

What To Do

 
  • Cream butter and sugars together in mixer for about 2 minutes on medium speed, until fluffy and light. Add in eggs and vanilla and continue mixing until incorporated.
  • Turn mixer to low and add in flour, baking powder baking soda and salt.
  • Mix on low until evenly incorporated.
  • Stir in all chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  • Cover dough with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight, or up to 48 hours.
  • When ready to bake preheat oven to 350°
  • I used a 3 Tbsp cookie scoop and placed the dough 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
  • Bake for 9-10 minutes until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
 

How To Do It



 
Beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs...
Add the vanilla...
Stir in the dry ingredients......
Stir in both kinds of chocolate chips and
chill dough in fridge for an hour...
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Using a small ice cream scoop, put the cookie dough on cookie sheets covered with non-stick foil.
Bake for 9-10 minutes and cool on cookie rack.
YUM!

 
These cookies turned out quite well. Better than batch number one. They may seem a bit underdone in the center when you take them out of the oven, but once they cool, they will be perfect! If you prefer crisp cookies, increase baking time 1-2 minutes. I LIKE CHEWY!
 
Try them out, compare them to the first recipe {link here} and see what you think..........
..........you'll be glad ya did!
 

ENJOY!

the domestic curator ~ ronda

Monday, September 17

Fire Grilled Corn Guacamole



Was anyone aware that yesterday, September 16, 2012, was National Guacamole Day? A day of celebration for this most delicious Mexican inspired concoction. As we near the end of avocado season here in Texas, being a huge fan of guacamole, I am a bit sad to see it go. A staple of our local Tex-Mex cuisine, guacamole is a popular garnish for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and even hamburgers. We will eat guacamole on anything and at anytime. I can make an entire meal out of this wonder of wonders. So a celebration was definitely in order here at Porter Central.


Pre-made guacamole? Sacrilege! It’s not hard to make good guacamole fresh, from scratch. It doesn’t take much time or any special tools. Just remember the key to making delicious guacamole is by using the freshest ingredients possible. The mixture should be chunky, never smooth, have fresh chilies, cilantro, lime juice, and avocados. This recipe is best made with the California-type avocados, those with rough, dark-green skins. Buy avocados that give slightly when pushed with your thumb. Don't attempt to make authentic guacamole without fully ripe avocados. If they're firm when you buy them, put them in a plastic bag with an apple or ripe banana and leave in a warm place for two or three days. The avocados are ready for guacamole when they feel butter-soft but not mushy.

Fire Grilled Corn Guacamole
This recipe is a nice change from your average guacamole.
 It will feed a CROWD but can easily be halved for a smaller gathering.
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INGREDIENTS
  • 3 ears Corn, shucked, grilled and kernels cut from cob
  • 6 whole Avocados, diced
  • 2 Large Tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 cup Onion, finely diced; I use a red onion
  • 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced
  • 1 Jalapeno, seeded and diced
  • 2 whole Limes, Juiced
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped
  • Kosher Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

WHAT TO DO
  • In a bowl, combine corn kernels, diced avocados, diced tomato, jalapeno, minced garlic, lime juice and cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste and stir gently to combine.

The best way to dice an avocado is to score the inside with a butter knife in a crossed fashion. Scoop out the flesh and your avocado will be cubed.

  
Grab a few avocados and make yourself a wonderful batch of guacamole....
.......you'll be glad you did!
 ENJOY!


grilled, corn, avocado, salsa, peppers, tomatoes, fire, guacamole, limes,


Friday, September 14

Legendary Homecoming Mum Ideas

WE ONLY HAVE TWO WEEKS LEFT BEFORE HOMECOMING AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN TEXAS. AS USUAL I HAVE BEEN SAVING PICTURES OF DIFFERENT MUMS AND IDEAS, GEARING UP TO MAKE MISS ELIZABETH'S MUM. SHE WAS NOMINATED FOR HOMECOMING QUEEN SO I WILL NEED TO CONFIGURE HER MUM SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN WE HAD PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU ALL WHAT I CAME ACROSS IN MY ANNUAL HUNT; JUST IN CASE YOU DECIDE TO MAKE YOUR OWN MUMS AND ARE IN NEED OF A LITTLE INSPIRATION. I LOVE PUTTING MY OWN FINGERPRINT ON E's HOMECOMING MUM. HERS IS UNIQUE AND THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT....ANYWHERE.  GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY GLUING!

CHIPBOARD LETTERS AND CHAINS.
CHAINS AND BOWS.
 
I LIKE THESE CHAINS.
HELLO!
I LIKE THE BACKING ON THIS MUM.
CUTE  HOMECOMING KING AND QUEEN MUM.
GREAT ARM MUM FOR A BASEBALL PLAYER.
PRETTY COOL COLOR.
LOVE THE POLKA DOT BOWS AT
THE END OF THESE CHAINS.
I LIKE THE RIBBON IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE 3 MUMS.
GREAT CHAINS.
THE MUMS ARE TRI-COLORED AND LOVE THE ALTERNATING COLORED LOOP CHAIN.
GREAT BACKING.
LOVE THIS ANIMAL PRINT.
K-RAZY ABOUT THIS COLOR SCHEME!
CUTE BACKING TO THIS MUM.
CHIPBOARD LETTERS. PICTURES
PUNCHED OUT IN CIRCLES.
THE GIANT CHIPBOARD LETTERS ON
TOP OF THE MUM ARE GREAT.
I LIKE THE ALTERNATING COLORED LOOP CHAIN
AND THE FEATHER BOA.
THE LARGE LOOPED HOMECOMING IS NICE.
THIS TULLE BACKING IS SO DIFFERENT, LOVE IT.
CHIP BOARD LETTERS CAN BE FOUND
ON THE SCRAP BOOKING ISLE.
I LOVE EVERY DETAIL OF THIS FOLLOWING MUM.
LOVE THESE PICTURES AND CHRISTMAS TINSEL.
 GREAT DISCO BALL!
 ALL RIGHT, I KNOW THIS IS NOT A MUM BUT I LOVE THE COLOR SCHEME AND POLKA DOTS.
 
I LIKE THE BACKING AND UNUSUAL BRAID. 
ARM MUM FOR A GUY.
RIBBONS, BRAIDS AND BOWS.
RUFFLE BACKING, I LIKE.
 FEATHERS AND BOWS.
 
 LOVE THIS PICTURE PLACED IN
THE MIDDLE OF THIS MUM.
 
 COLORFUL ISN'T IT?
LOVE THE FEATHERS AND COLOR.
MISS E LOVES BUTTERFLIES!
I REALLY LOVE THE BACKING ON THIS
MUM ANDTHE TRI-COLORED MUM ON
THE VERY BOTTOM RIGHT.
 
THESE NEXT TWO MUMS ARE DIFFERENT,
FEMININE AND LOVELY.
 BOWS, CHAINS AND ROPES.
THERE ISN'T EVEN A MUM HERE, JUST LOTS
OF LOOPY RIBBON, I LIKE IT.
THESE NEXT TWO MUMS ARE WORN AT THE HIP, LOVE THAT IDEA!
LOTS OF IDEAS, MAKE YOUR OWN MUM
AND SAVE YOUR MONEY........
.........YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!

ENJOY!
the domestic curator ~ ronda