"Cooking With A Queen"
Dairy Festival Cookbook Marks
50th Anniversary

by: Bobby McDonald

 

While everyone else has been reading Dairy Festival stories and anticipating the 50th Anniversary of the community festival, Mary Campbell, a member of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, and her committee have been collecting recipes, tasting dishes, and making pictures of fabulous food. "I think I've gained about 10 pounds just tasting all the great recipes in this book!" exclaimed Campbell. "But, we've got some great recipes from former queens, members of the Dairy Festival Board, and from some of those great cooks in the community that use real dairy products!"

The idea for the book came to Campbell, as the board began planning for the 50th Anniversary celebration. "What better way to mark a historic occasion than with those favorite memories and recipes from all through the years?" bemused Campbell. "Then, when I got to talking to the former queens, there were recipes that their mothers made for them the week of the pageant, or a favorite neighbor who brought a special dish to their home as they were having a 'hectic' week getting prepared for the contest. Then, there were those that were served at special brunches, teas, and events that were treasured and remembered!"

 

 

"Of course, many of the former queens have left Hopkins County and taken some of the traditional food with them," continued Campbell. "We've got a recipe from 1971 Dairy Festival Queen Beth Ashcroft Holland, that is for cornbread, when she made it and served it to then Governor George W. Bush. He praised Holland for the recipe and now it is known as President Bush Cornbread!"

Former Queen Eydie McDowell Ginn has sent her "Mint-Orange Punch" that originates with Former Queen Stephanie Longino, as well as "Chicken Picatta," and "Buttermilk Pie."

 

 

And, it's Former Queen Mary Ann Prim Salch that sent "Dorothy Orton's Chicken Casserole" and "Mammy's Witches' Stew," as well as "Crab Canape' from her home in Galveston. These recipes, some of which originated in Hopkins County, have now taken a "Gulf Coast" twist and add flavor from that region of the state.

 

Mary Campbell, Chairman of the Dairy Festival Cookbook Committee, right, and former Queen Erica Odom
Armstrong, discuss Erica's submissions, as Erica prepares one of her dishes for tasting!

 

 

Bonnie Booker Kids, 1979 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, has sent her "Chicken Enchilada Ring" and her mother, Velda Booker's "Angel Food Cake with Fluffy Frosting." "The cake was a family favorite and was always served by my mom at family gatherings," denotes Bonnie. "It was one of my dad's and Buck's favorites!"

 

 

Former Queen, Janet Bailey Shield, sent many family favorite recipes that included those neighbors and family prepared during her reign as Dairy Festival Queen. "I can remember these dishes being prepared when I was queen and we would be off to some event!" denoted Janet. "I was queen back in an era when families ate supper at home and food was prepared for a meal, before we went to the events!"

 

 

Julie Scott has sent a "Miracle Cobbler" recipe that her grandmother, Media Harred, made for the family, with "roots" here in Hopkins County. "The miracle is that the dough rises to the top of the fruit, while it bakes!" explains Julie. "It's one of our favorite recipes that has been passed down for generations and brings warm family memories every time we make it!"

 

 

Julie also sent her father, Buford Scott's "Special Chili" recipe, that he used in Hopkins County Chili Cook-Off's. The recipe has a "secret ingredient" that you'll have to purchase the cookbook to find revealed. "Dad learned the 'trick' from Mrs. Aguilar, and used it every time!" revealed Julie.

And, if you're looking for an unusual chili recipe, look no further, Kim Tucker Huffstetler, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, before moving to Hopkins County and capturing the Dairy Festival Queen's crown. She included her "Cincinnati Chili" recipe, that she's perfected on Don and the kids and found it to be a favorite wherever she serves the dish. "They always clean the bowl and are asking for more!" exclaims Kim. "It smells so good throughout the house, when you make it!"

Kim has also included "Grandma Parker's Pound Cake" that is a family favorite from Don's grandmother, Louise Parker. Kim states that she "fell in love with the cake" once she married into the Huffstetler family and continues to serve it to her own children and their friends. The cake has been "mailed" all across the globe, and is one that she sends to John, her son in the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

"As you can see, these recipes 'span the spectrum' and hold extra special memories from the former queens and their families," exclaimed Mary Campbell. "Besides the recipes, the book includes special notes and memories from the former queens and their era of serving as the representative of the Hopkins County dairy industry.

The cookbooks will be on sale throughout the the 50th Dairy Festival activities. Or orders can be sent to: Hopkins County Dairy Festival Cookbook, P.O. Box 803, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. With mail orders, please include $5.00 for shipping and mailing charges.

Price of the cookbooks are a bargain at only $20.00 each! Reserve your copy now!

 

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