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Thursday, November 27, 1997

Ag Department takes Texas menu to new heights

By MICHAEL HOLMES

Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) -- The Texas Department of Agriculture's annual holiday tradition -- offering folks a "totally Texas" menu -- is growing like a weed.

The department is offering a bumper crop of celebratory suggestions.

They cover everything from food (confetti cornbread sage dressing) and drink (Texas bottled water), to gifts (a camouflage oven mitt) and decorations (a barbed wire wreath).

Using its Internet site, the agency gives computerized Texans tips on caring for poinsettias (a $13 million-a-year purchase in this state), some history (how eating black-eyed peas became good luck) and a coloring book for the kids (featuring farmers, vegetables and a turkey).

Gene Acuna, a spokesman for the department, said the TDA last year began expanding its holiday ideas beyond a simple dinner menu.

"We've tried to promote doing the holidays in a totally Texas way -- be it Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year's," Acuna said. "We solicited ideas from every industry in the state. We think it's important that people utilize Texas agricultural products for the holidays."

Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry says there's something for everyone.

"We can help you find that perfect Christmas tree, decorate your home for the holidays or provide those perfect ingredients for that special homemade gift from the kitchen," Perry said.

"With the help of our farmers and ranchers, folks have a bounty of Texas agricultural products for all their holiday needs."

He's not kidding. A few of the department's offerings:

-- Hungry? How about a "totally Texas" Thanksgiving dinner of yellow and red bell pepper soup, roasted whole turkey, loin of pork, Texas red grapefruit and cranberry chutney, creamed giblet gravy, peanut mole, confetti cornbread sage dressing, brown rice and sausage dressing, baked breads, minted carrots, fresh broccoli, sweet potato pecan pie, fresh orange cake, Texas bottled waters and Texas wines.

-- Behind on shopping? The agency can put you in touch with merchandisers such as the King Ranch Saddle Shop in Kingsville or Double D Ranch Wear in Yoakum.

-- Prefer homemade gifts? Included are recipes for Texas grapefruit muffins, peanut carrot bread, whole wheat pecan loaf and, of course, Texas pecan pralines.

-- Under a special heading -- "For those who don't want to cook but love to give gifts from the kitchen" -- there's more: A fajita skillet loaded with seasonings, marinade, picante sauce and tortilla warmer, or for hunters: "An apron and oven mitt made out of camouflage fabric and add a collection of wild game seasonings and cookbooks."

-- Decking the halls? There are plans for wreaths made with cotton bolls, dried ears of corn, Texas-grown herbs or even loops of recycled barbed wire. For newcomers and city slickers, those last instructions also cheerfully advise: "Use gloves for this."

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(Editor's Note: The address for the Texas Department of Agriculture's Internet site can be found at http://www.agr.state.tx.us.)