The Sahnoans at Star Ranch is a family-oriented nudist park that has been in operation since 1957. Dedicated to maintaining a wholesome and safe environment for the enjoyment of nudist activities, the Club is a member in good standing of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and AANR-Southwest.

January 28

A Day full of Events, Chili Cookoff, Pie Contest and more


Chili cookoff begins at 9:00am, Pie baking contest starts at 2pm, Pie auction at 5:30pm, Potluck with chili at 6:00pm and Bingo at 7:00pm with prizes

Chili Cookoffs: A Purist’s Heaven

 

 

Any new resident of Texas learns very quickly that even though he is warmly welcomed, he’d better leave his “back home” chili recipe back home.   In Michigan chili is sometimes served in a small  baked pie shell, topped with sour cream. In the Ohio Valley, “Cincinnati Style” is served with spaghetti.  And editors of hoity toity gourmet magazines try to tell readers with a straight face that chicken and white beans make a perfectly fine “chili.”
Numerous chili  societies abound with strict rules about the bite-size requirements for the beef, how and when  the chili is prepared, etc.   Like world-class marathoners,  some have to qualify to attend regional or national cookoffs by accumulating enough “points.”
At the other end of the scale, however, even some native Texans are content to open a few cans of tomatoes and sauce, brown some ground beef,  throw in a few spices and, after 30 minutes,  call it chili.   A good ole boy knows that he can possibly get by having   a wife AND a girl friend,  but when cookoff time comes, he sticks to  his one, grease-stained, beer-soaked personal recipe, cooked in his special dented pot on that  propane stove which is far more tempermental than any of the women in his life. 
Here at Star Ranch,  most cookers give serious attention to their contest offerings. 
The repartee  resembles a junior high locker room,  and bragging rights are claimed by everyone, each cooker being convinced that HIS recipe is the best.
Some cooks even display their trophies from previous conquests, as if to intimidate other contestants  with their mo-jo. 
On  January 28th the 12th annual Shell-less cookoff will take place, rain or shine.
Past winners and also-rans have already begun their psychological warfare,  suggesting that other cooks better start practicin’ , and the targets of their taunts assure their foes that they don’t NEED practice.  And so it goes.
Anyone is welcome to participate.  There is no fee.  You don’t even have to register ahead of time.   Just be here between 9-11 AM,  set up your field kitchen, and  vie for one of the three trophies to be handed out.   Rules are spelled out in The Sahnoan Star.  Judging will begin at 1:30.   Beans are acceptable, but be prepared for some dirty looks from the purists.   At 6 PM all entrants’  chilis will be the main course  at a pot luck. 

Even though you may not be a native Texan, you can certainly cook like one.

 

 
Chili Contest Rules
No ingredient may be precooked or treated in anyway prior to the commencement of the official cook off; with the following exceptions:      Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper sauce, beverages, broth, beans, and grinding and mixing of spices;                           
Meat or meat substitute may be precut or ground but not treated (seasoned in any way);                       
 All other ingredients must be   chopped or prepared during the setup and cooking periods;
You may precook your    beans as long as you DO NOT add any spices or treatment while they are being cooked;
Each contestant will need to provide their own cookware and heating method for the preparation of the chili;
Each contestant will be responsible for cleaning all of their own cookware and cooking space;
The cooking period will be from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM.  All samples will be gathered in the same type container (provided by the Sahnoans), No accoutrements will be allowed;
The chili MUST be cooked on-site the day of the cook off, out in the open;
Each contestant will be assigned a number by the scorekeeper and given a container in which their chili will be collected at the time of the official judging.  Each contestant should verify that the number on the bottom of the container is the same number assigned to them;

Pie Contest Rules and Auction

Star Ranch Pie Contest: Not Just For The Upper Crust
Chili cook offs are arguably a Western/Southwestern phenomenon.   However,  since the quintessential American pie is apple,  bake offs of this tasty delight are more wide spread.   Here at Star Ranch we began the Pie Contest a few years ago to give cooks who weren’t  Chili heads a chance to strut their stuff, so to speak, by having a pie contest the same day.  
Entrants have hardly been anemic apple pies.   The criteria for judging are very sophisticated, and there is always a clamor among Sahnoans each year to take on the thankless task of savoring as many as a dozen pies (or more). 
 Bring pies to the hall by 2:00 PM, judging will begin right after chili judging. Pies must be homemade, crust only can be store bought; recipe must accompany the pie; baker can turn in more than one pie, but can only win one prize. After winners are announced the pies will be auctioned at 5:30 PM by our very own auctioneer with proceeds going to the Tara Hall Makeover Fund. The pies will be judged on the following criteria: Appearance: The pie looks so good you can’t wait to take a bite. The crust is browned, but not burned; the meringue (if this applies) is fluffy, evenly browned, does not break down or “weep”. Fruit is clear and bright in a fruit pie. Texture: Crust is flaky and tender, but does not fall apart, The filling is firm enough to cut but not stiff and gelatinous; it is smooth and solid, but not stiff. A custard pie has no cracks on the surface. The bottom crust is not soggy or leathery. Taste: Fruit pies have a bright, clear flavor of the fruit and are not gummy with thickener. The taste of the crust is a complement to the filling and is not overpowering. The taste of the filling is distinctive and delicious and makes you want more! Presentation: This is obviously the work of a creative genius. You stare in admiration and your mouth waters in anticipation! 
You can enter the chili contest AND the pie contest.    This has been done before, with  certain chefs placing in the top three in both events.

Author: Admin2

Published: December 28, 2011

Filed Under: Events

 

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