Texas is the perfect place for year-round festivals and fairs. From pulled pork and sausages to funnel cakes and fried Oreos, the food at these events is a big part of the experience and, with some creativity and a little bit of skill, you can DIY a few of the classics. These inspired recipes are great for summer gatherings or to satisfy your craving for a festival vibe at home.
Grilled Corn with Chipotle Lime Butter
- 4 ears of corn, husked
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1 lime
- Juice of 1/2 lime
Preheat grill to medium-high.
In a small bowl, combine butter, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, lime zest, and lime juice. Mix well.
Grill corn about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked and lightly charred.
Once the corn is cooked, transfer to a plate and immediately spread the chipotle lime butter over each ear. Serve immediately.
Chipotle powder and lime juice to suit your taste.
If you can’t find chipotle powder, you can use a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce instead. Simply mince the pepper and mix it with the butter and other spices.
If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook the corn in a grill pan on the stovetop or under the broiler in the oven.
Adjust the amount of chipotle powder and lime juice to suit your taste.
Walking around Salad
When it comes to mixing salads in a cup for an outdoor event, it’s important to choose ingredients that won’t wilt or get soggy too quickly. These ingredients work well in a portable salad cup:
- Cherry tomatoes: A great option because they hold their shape and flavor and won’t turn mushy too quickly.
- Cucumber: A refreshing addition to any salad and holds up well in a cup.
- Carrots: Shredded or grated; a nice way to add color and crunch.
- Bell peppers: Hold up well and add a nice crunch and flavor.
- Radishes: Sliced or chopped; a great way to add a peppery kick.
- Nuts or seeds: Adding nuts or seeds like almonds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds can add a crunch to your salad.
- Cheese: Adding crumbled cheese like feta or goat cheese can add flavor to your salad.
- Dressing: You can pack a small container of dressing separately and add it just before eating.
A simple recipe you can mix in a cup:
- 1 cup chopped mixed greens
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
- 1/4 cup shredded carrot
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as basil or parsley)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
In large bowl, combine greens, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, crumbled feta cheese, and herbs. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Spoon the salad into a plastic cup with a lid or a small resealable bag. Pack a fork or spoon for a portable, healthy meal on-the-go.
You can adjust the amount of ingredients based on your personal preference.
Consider adding some protein, like grilled chicken or chickpeas, to make the salad more filling.
Old Bay Kettle Corn
- 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt to taste
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add three kernels to the pot and wait for them to pop, which indicates the oil is hot enough to add the rest of the popcorn.
Add remaining popcorn kernels to the pot and sprinkle the sugar evenly over the kernels. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and shake the pot to distribute the sugar evenly.
As the popcorn starts to pop, continue to shake the pot to prevent the popcorn from burning. Once the popping slows down to a few seconds between pops, remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle the Old Bay seasoning over the popcorn.
Cover the pot and shake it to distribute the seasoning evenly. Add salt to taste and serve.
You can adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning and salt to suit your taste preferences.
Be sure to use a large pot with a tight-fitting lid to prevent the popcorn from spilling out.
Kettle corn can be stored in an airtight container for up to several days.