Texas Pecan Treats

Come August, there is nowhere I'd rather NOT be than in Texas. Steamy, sultry, and hot, living in Texas in August is like trying to breathe in a tightly-covered pressure cooker.

But in November, I remember the joys of Texas. Cool breezes and balmy fall days refresh the senses and invite us outside once again. On streets and in parks, pecans are ripe for gathering and shelling.

Those of you who think pecans come in 6-ounce plastic supermarket packages have missed the true texture and flavor of a real Texas treat. Best of all are the small native pecans with shells like granite. But once you've cracked them, there are no better fall treats to be had.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, we want to share a couple of our favorite recipes using Texas pecans. Even if you're forced to use those supermarket replicas, these recipes are great!

Texas Pecan Pie

Prepare a pie shell and set aside, or use a premade pie shell.

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

3 whole eggs

one cup light corn syrup

one cup broken pecans

one tsp vanilla

¼ tsp salt

Cream butter, sugar, and eggs.

Stir in corn syrup, pecans, vanilla and salt.

Pour mixture into prepared pie shell. Spraying the pie pan with PAM or a similar no-stick spray before placing pie shell can help keep the pastry crisp.

Bake in 375 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until just set in center. Cool completely before serving.

Back in the eighties, I spent an unforgetable Christmas with my daughter who was, at the time, studying in Kyoto, Japan. Because of her love of pecan cookies, I made a double batch to take with me, fully aware that taking foodstuffs into Japan was not allowed. I figured I might lose the cookies, but what the heck? I might get lucky and sneak them past customs.

Arriving in Japan after a 26-hour flight, I was confronted with a Japanese customs agent who went through everything in my luggage. Nothing was too small or insignificant to escape his scrutiny. When he came to the tin of tightly packed cookies, he eyed it with a quizzical expression.

"Desu ka (what's this)?" he questioned me.

In my best schoolgirl Japanese, I explained that this was a Christmas present for my daughter, hoping that he would go on to the next item. It was not to be.

As I watched in horror, he opened the tin and was immediately enveloped by a dense cloud of powdered sugar.

"Ah," he announced. "Clismas plesant!" And beaming, he clapped the lid back on the tin and waved me through.

He was right. The holidays just wouldn't be as pleasant without these pecan gems.

Holiday Pecan Cookies

Beat until soft ½ cup butter.

Blend in two tablespoons sugar.

Add one teaspoon vanilla, one cup ground pecan meats, and one cup cake flour or regular flour sifted several times.

Roll into 32 ½ inch balls, one teaspoon full at a time.

Place on greased baking sheet. Bake in 300 degree oven for 45 minutes or 375 for 25 minutes. While cookies are still hot, roll in confectioner's sugar. Roll again after cookies cool.

Stored in air-tight tins, these cookies will keep indefinitely.

Enjoy!

About The Author

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D. - Phyllis Staff is an experimental psychologist and the CEO of The Best Is Yet.Net, an internet company that helps seniors and caregivers find trustworthy residential care. She is the author of How to Find Great Senior Housing: A Roadmap for Elders and Those Who Love Them. She is also the daughter of a victim of Alzheimer's disease. Visit her website at http://www.thebestisyet.net

pando19@yahoo.com

---

Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate

Serendipity frozen hot chocolate is a signature dish at the... Read More

Whats So Great About Slow Cooking Anyway?

As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few... Read More

Cooking Instructions For Prime Rib Roast

Have you been searching for cooking instructions for prime rib... Read More

How to Make a Seductive Chili

Dedicated Chili cooks always seem to be looking for an... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Oven Fried Chicken

Enjoy the sensation of fried chicken without the extra calories... Read More

Low Fat, Low Carb Baked Tortilla Chip with a Mango Salsa Dressing

Many low fat low cholesterol recipes are usually bland and... Read More

Easy-Cheesy Casserole

I have always loved mac-n-cheese, and this variation is one... Read More

Wild Watercress Soupt (Nasturtium officinale)

Wild Watercress soup is a delicious and nutritious recipe with... Read More

Low Fat Flaming Bananas Treat

Nutritional Information: Serves 3, Fat: 8 g, Cal: 299, KJ:... Read More

How I Made Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies In Simple, Super Easy Steps

I was sitting there watching one of my favorite tv... Read More

Low Fat French Toast

French toast was one of my favorite breakfast foods when... Read More

My Mothers Recipe Box

Remember the days when cookbooks weren't so readily available, and... Read More

Limes

Limes were originally grown in Asia,introduced by the Arab traders... Read More

Ediths Cake That Thrilled the French

Twenty-three chefs who cooked for world royalty and heads of... Read More

Planning Help: Meal Two

One meal planning challenge for me has been to `lighten... Read More

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

Homemade cookies from scratch in 20 minutes!!? 2 six-ounce packages... Read More

Tayberry Jam

The taste of Summer, bursting with flavour and anti-oxidant effects.... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Chicken Tikka

Long term weight loss isn't about hunger, misery and crash... Read More

Fortunate Lemon Chicken

A delicious chicken meal for you to prepare at home.... Read More

Rockfish Bessie

Ingredients 5-6 lbs. Whole Rockfish 1 Onion 1 Lemon... Read More

Spanish Food - How To Make Spicy Gazpacho Soup.

Home-made soups are so good for you - all that... Read More

Hot Barbeque Recipes

Anyone can create delicious homemade hot barbeque recipes once they... Read More

Sot Suppe (Norwegian Sweet Soup)

My mother was the daughter of Norwegian immigrants who homesteaded... Read More

Fun & Fruity Recipes

Sometimes the easiest way to get children to eat healthy... Read More

Ribolitta: The Italian Way Of Having Your Five Veggies A Day!

Ribollita is a delicious low fat Italian soup, a bit... Read More

Low Fat Banana Toasts

I love bananas for breakfast.I think bananas a convenient food... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Fish In Orange Sauce

Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss... Read More

The Secret To Making Perfect Chili Fit For A King

Every autumn my thoughts turn to making chili. The garden... Read More

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

If you are seeking a very unique flavored bbq sauce... Read More

Italian Recipes ? Top 3 Dinner Recipes That You Should Prepare Tonight!

If you are wondering what to prepare for dinner tonight,... Read More

Cool Summer Gazpacho

This refreshing tomato soup is a great cool meal for... Read More

Spanish Food - The Tasty Tortilla

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot... Read More

Easy Gourmet Recipes You and I can do!

So, you don't think you can find easy gourmet recipes?... Read More