Pinto Beans .

Yeah. All my Texas friends know how to cook Pintos. I think Texans are born knowing how. I was born in Florida and my Indiana-born mother did not cook Pinto beans. In fact, I don't think I ate them until I started hanging out with Texans. My first husband told me once to call his mother and find out how to cook 'em! So I did,.

1 pound dried pinto beans
1/4 pound salt pork
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
salt
1 tablespoon chili powder

First, rinse the dried beans and pick out any twigs, stones or dirt.
Cut the pork into strips and rinse.
Cover the beans with water, add the pork and garlic. Boil until tender over medium heat (a really slow boil). Beans should be covered with water throughout the cooking. Add more hot water if needed. How long it takes depends on the beans—plan on hours—in fact, cook the day before. Once the beans are tender, but not before, add salt to taste. Adding the salt before the beans are tender will make them tough. Add the chili powder and let the beans sit for "a while" to absorb the flavor.

Beef Tenderloin .

Company fare, definitely. This version came from Texas Cowboy Cooking, recipes from the Perini Ranch.

5 pound beef tenderloin, trimmed of fat and silver skin.
Olive oil
Steak rub (mix together the following)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons salt
4 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon granulated beef stock base

Take the tenderloin out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking and let it rest on the kitchen counter to come toward room temperature. Preheat the oven to 475°F. Make the rub while the tenderloin is resting.

Brush the meat with the oil and completely coat the tenderloin with the dry rub. Insert a meat thermometer. Place in an oven for 10 minutes at 475°F; lower the oven temperature to 425°F and continue cooking for about 20-25 minutes or until the thermometer ready 130°F for medium rare.

Remove the tenderloin from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before slicing. The temperature will continue to rise during this time.