This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own. #TexFest #AD
I live in Texas and am darn proud of it! I was not born here but moved here as a baby, and it is in my blood. I love everything about the state, the culture, the people and the heritage. So when I make a TexFest inspired meal, I go BIG! It is a given fact that Texans love their meat and potatoes. A warm piece of cornbread and some cold iced tea always makes a meal better too! But the one ingredient that any Texan loves, no matter how you incorporate it, is bacon. Not thin little bacon either, but thick sliced, flavorful Wright® Brand Bacon! Why thick-sliced? Because we want to taste our bacon and all of the flavor it infuses into any recipe! Plus, when celebrating TexFest with friends, you need ingredients that are crowd pleasing! Bacon is always crowd pleasing!
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While shopping at my local, Texas based, based H.E.B (which was my first real employer, by the way), I was on a mission to make some Texas favorites as well as create a tablescape to really bring the red, white and blue pride out! If you have shopped at H.E.B, you know that they always have some really great Texas inspired decor to purchase. Like my latest find, a Texas-shaped cast iron skillet! Talk about the perfect instrument for my Bacon and Parmesan Cornbread!
The Texas Tablescape
A Texas tablescape starts with three basic things. Red, White and Blue. The Texas flag is red, white and blue so no Texas table is complete without these colors. I wanted to set up a fun table for my bacon-wrapped steak and potatoes, so I headed to the Texas section at H.E.B. There I found some affordable plastic, bluebonnet decorated glassware, iced tea pitchers and plates. I also found a serving tray, the Texas shaped cast iron pan and some other items to complete the table.
The centerpiece was the easiest I have ever done as well.
In a small basket I placed styrofoam blocks. From my silk flowers, in red, white and blue, of course, I cut stems and placed them randomly in the styrofoam. I filled in the empty spots with the silk greenery, tied a blue tulle ribbon around the base and had a super cute and fun centerpiece!
To the table I added tulle bows to the chair backs, red country type linen napkins, the plates and the iced tea. I set it all outside so we could enjoy the warm Texas sunshine!
Bacon-Wrapped Steak Recipe
This recipe is easy and so delicious. While you can buy bacon-wrapped filets in the store, I prefer to make my own. I want thick sliced bacon around my steak and I find that the pre-wrapped ones are often thin and tasteless.
- 2 6 ounce steak tenderloins
- 2 thick sliced pieces of Wright Brand Bacon
- Grill Seasoning
- 1 tsp oil
- Warm a cast iron skillet while you prep the steaks. You want the skillet hot when it is time to cook.
- Meanwhile, season the tenderloins with the grill seasoning on one side. Take a piece of Wright Brand Bacon and wrap it tightly around the tenderloin. Use a toothpick to attach the end to the steak.
- Place the steak in the hot skillet, seasoned side down, season the top and cook 3- 5 minutes on one side.
- Flip the steak and cook another 2-3 minutes. You should get a medium rare steak.
- Pull out of the skillet and let rest 5 - 7 minutes to seal in the juices.
Bacon and Onion Potatoes
No steak is complete without potatoes. This recipe is a standard around here and has to be made with thick sliced bacon cut into 1″ pieces. You really want to taste the bacon as you bite into the potatoes!
You will use the same cast iron skillet that you cooked the steaks in. I pull it off the heat, add a little oil to it and use a thick paper towel to clean it out. I don’t want my potatoes to be black from the steak drippings. Once I have cleaned it out, I add it back to the heat and add about 1 tbsp of oil to heat.
- 3 red potatoes, cut in chunks
- 3 white potatoes, cut in chunks
- 4 thick sliced pieces of Wright Brand Bacon
- ½ white onion
- grill seasoning
- 1 tbsp oil
- In a hot cast iron skillet, heat the oil to coat. Add in potatoes and cook on medium about 7 - 8 minutes, stirring often. Add in 1" bacon slices and continue to cook another 5 - 7 minutes. Season with grill seasoning. Add in onion, cover and cook about 2-3 minutes. Remove lid, stir and cover again 2-3 minutes. Onions and potatoes should be soft and bacon should be cooked.
Bacon Parmesan Cornbread
I simply can not purchase a Texas-shaped pan and not make cornbread for my TexFest meal! While I use a pre-made mix, adding 1″ slices of thick sliced back and Parmesan cheese makes it pop with Texas flavor!
- 1 package honey cornbread
- 3 eggs (or what package indicates)
- 1 cup water (or what package indicates
- 4 thick sliced pieces of Wright Brand Bacon
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan
- non-stick cooking spray
- In a skillet, brown the bacon. Set aside.
- In a bowl make the cornbread mix as indicated, add in bacon and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Pour into a sprayed cast iron skillet or pan. Bake 14 - 16 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.
To top off the meal I added some fresh asparagus tossed in olive oil and seasoned with the grill seasoning. I cooked in in less than 5 minutes in the same cast iron skillet I used for the steak and potatoes.
As I added this classic Texas meal to my Texas tablescape I could feel the pride welling up! Sitting down with a cold iced tea, a perfectly tender and flavorful steak and side dishes, I enjoyed a TexFest meal that any crowd would love!
What would you add to make this meal and tablescape even more Texas worthy?
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