University of Texas daughter's '11 recruitment

[aggieAXO]

MMM I love fried catfish-one of my favorite foods as a child. As far as Frito pie goes I had to tell one of my colleagues from Georgia what this dish was and how to make it-I thought frito pie was everywhere! Now I want some Blue Bell-the best ice cream in the country. Ok I am rooting for those 3

As far as the mexican food in Dallas is concerned-it is gross! You need to come further south for good Tex Mex.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Benzgirl, do NOT judge Texas by Dallas. You can't swing a dead cat here in Houston without hitting a fantastic restaurant and many of them are neither Tex or Mex. Ethiopian to Cuban, Italian to Japanese, Greek to Middle Eastern - it's one of the things I missed most when I lived in TN. Texas food itself is more than Tex-Mex. Our fabulous seafood, east Texas coastal cuisine influenced by Louisiana, southern cuisine in the piney woods (the tea is sweet - that's how you know you are there), it's amazing.

Back to your regularly scheduled recruitment thread.

Unfortunately, that is the only place I go in Texas. I love the Gulf Coast seafood and have many fond memories of going "crabbing" as a child. In fact, I keep looking for good seafood in Dallas and they look at me cross-eyed.

[ElieM]

Is there a significant difference between Frito Pie and Nachos other than the variety of toppings?

[AZTheta]

Dear Wary,

I love this thread; It is about the one thing that GCers can all agree on - FOOD! And I'm learning so much about Texas dishes, including some that I never intend to sample (sorry, Frito Pie = not for me). I check this thread first thing to see what new foods are being discussed.

So, Mrs. Wary, politely I say to you: hang on, and maybe start another thread with DD's recruitment story when the time comes. Or not; this one may just keep rolling on and on, with new recipes and foods added. It may become a GC legend, or a new style of recruitment thread. Who can say?

See, your error was this: we are all starving for recruitment news right about now. It's been a Long, Hot Summer. You showed up and your thread became a feeding frenzy, of sorts.

gastronomically yours,
AzTheta

[DubaiSis]

Feeding frenzy

[IrishLake]

lmao... my sister up there? ^^^^ She cracks me up!!!!

[sdtennisgal]

ElieM: Is there a significant difference between Frito Pie and Nachos other than the variety of toppings?

I'm not from Texas, but one of my grandmothers lived in San Antonio, so I can speak to this. Frito Pie is, in its traditional form, a small bag of Frito's open up with chili, cheese and onions plopped in. You would eat it right out of the bag.

Today, the idea of eating a bag of Frito's alone makes me a bit queasy, but the idea of having a Frito Pie brings back some fond memories of time with my Gram.

Also, concur with previous comments about the wealth of restaurants in Houston and along the coast versus Dallas.

[Low C Sharp]

Is there a significant difference between Frito Pie and Nachos other than the variety of toppings?

I don't know if the Texas version is different, but in Santa Fe, Frito pie is served right in the Frito bag, and eaten with a fork, unlike nachos. This was supposedly invented at the Woolworth's on the Santa Fe plaza. At first the Fritos are crunchy, but by the time you get to the bottom, the Fritos are soft. Mmm!

I would love to hear if it is different in Texas (other than, of course, beanless chili).

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ElieM

Is there a significant difference between Frito Pie and Nachos other than the variety of toppings?

Fritos =/= tortilla chips.

[LXA SE285]

Gourmet Frito pie:

http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/20...xas-chili.html

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by LadyLonghorn

Open a bag of Fritos. Cover with Chili. Melt cheese on top. mmmmm

We call these "walking tacos" because kids can walk around with them and eat them out of the bag. They serve them as school lunch in elementary school.

Originally Posted by dzandiloo

I realize this is a hijack, but Ladybird Johnson sometimes gets credit for giving Texas Sheet Cake that name...it's made in a bar pan instead of a regular 9 x 13 (or other) cake pan so it's a thinner sheet...the icing is poured over the cake while it's still hot so it kind of adheres to it & seeps in...it's very moist. Seriously, it's like crack...sometimes I substitute strong brewed coffee for the milk in the icing to make it mocha...or a little orange extract gives it an interesting flavor.

This is by far my favorite dessert ever...so I'm pulling for them!

Texas Sheet Cake is also known as "Better Than Sex Cake" up here. I hear it called both equally.

I'm with Benzgirl though. While in Austin, finding something other than Tex-Mex or barbecue was a challenge. Those are good, but not when you have to eat at restaurants every day. There were chains .. like the same ones we have here. We did find one steakhouse but the only thing we could get and stay within our expense limits were Kobe burgers. That was the only thing ON THE WHOLE MENU less than $20.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by AGDee

We call these "walking tacos" because kids can walk around with them and eat them out of the bag. They serve them as school lunch in elementary school.

This is the name I've heard for them too. But I think walking tacos might be a little different because the way I've had them, you use meat with taco seasoning rather than chili.

[Wary]

AzTheta -- I'm happy to give us all something to talk about, and me to think about while I wait for Rush to start! Food is the great unifier. I must point out, though, that despite my code-word foods, not all Texas cuisine is so incredibly unhealthy. But the stuff on my list is the comfort food and guilty pleasures that most of us Texans indulge in at least on occasion.

I'm just gonna do the Rush thread here, I think. People can skip over the first part if they think it's boring... but who could find food boring? I guess if it gets too much longer before Aug. 17, I'll have to rethink that!

[Ladybugmom]

I cannot wait to read your daughter's recruitment story!! I love all of the food that you have chosen! Not much longer until it starts

[Tulip86]

Threads like this make me miss the U.S. even more, and they make me hungry!

Wary, I wish your daughter the best of luck during recruitment.