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Would You Eat Deep-Fried Butter?

YumSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:15:08 -0700

The biggest buzz all over the blogosphere is deep-fried butter. Even though it's nothing new - apparently Paula Deen's sung the praises of it before - it's one of eight contenders vying for the Big Tex Choice Award at this year's State Fair of Texas. "Pure butter is whipped, then injected with different flavors, surrounded by dough and fried," described The Dallas Morning News.

I'll try anything once, but I'm pretty sure this invention has taken deep-fried food one step too far. At 810 calories per stick - and that's before it's been deep-fried - I'm pretty sure even the biggest butter lover, Julia Child, would find it a bit obscene. Would you eat it?

Source: Flickr User sfllaw

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Chops on a Stick

partysugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:30:57 -0700

Bring the flavor of the Summer-fair season into your kitchen with this fun recipe. The pork chops are quickly marinated in a store-bought salad dressing before being shallow fried.

The final result is crispy, slightly sweet, and scrumptious. Serving the pork on a stick makes for a delicious presentation that both kids and adults will enjoy.

To check out the recipe, read more.

Pork Chops on a Stick
From Better Homes and Garden magazine

Ingredients

8 6-ounce boneless pork loin chops, about 1 inch thick
1/2 cup bottled Italian salad dressing
Peanut oil
8 8 x 1/4-inch-thick wooden skewers or dowels
Honey mustard or bottled barbecue sauce
cooked corn on the cob, for serving

Directions

Place chops in a resealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish. Pour salad dressing over chops.; seal bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 hours, turning bag occasionally.
Meanwhile, preheat oil to 350°F. Drain chops, discarding marinade.
Insert a wooden skewer into a short side of each chop. Fry the chops, half at a time, for 5 to 8 minutes or until 160°F. To test for doneness, carefully remove one chop from the hot oil. Insert an instant-read thermometer into side of chop. Be cautious of splattering oil. Maintain oil temperature around 350°F.
Remove chops from hot oil and drain on wire racks. Serve chops with honey mustard and corn on the cob.

Serves 4.

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Name That Dish!

partysugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:00:39 -0700

I find it hard to believe that so many of you were utterly disgusted by the bacon coated French fry on a stick. It's not that different from the fair favorite - which practically everyone consumed once in his or her life - pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:03:31 -0700

Although only 24 percent of you were excited about deep fried pancakes, I'm pretty sure everyone would love to eat the dessert pictured below. Do you know what this state fair treat is called?

Yummy Links: From Creative Lunches to Wild Crabs

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:03:12 -0700

Bored of making your kids the same food each day? Check out these creative lunchtime ideas. - iVillage
I'm not really sure you want to know this, but just in case, here's a nutritional breakdown of fair food. 760 calories in a funnel cake?! - FitSugar
Do you know where the best pizza in America can be found? The field's been narrowed down to three finalists! - Serious Eats
Speaking of pizza, things just got a little bit crazier at Domino's. Now they're offering an Oreo Dessert Pizza. - Slashfood
I wish I had the space to collect cake stands. But since I don't, I'll just have to make my own for each party - Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen

How did we all miss an exhibition of artists using chocolate as their medium? - Will Work For Food
Don't let him order the Cosmo. Learn more about the 10 Drinks Men Should Never Order. - Chow
Specialty kiosks will allow you to get recipes while at the grocery store. - Baking Bites
Using a microwave will get you a lovely semolina-banana-coconut cake in under 15 minutes. Now if only I had a microwave... - Culinate
A moving tale about the noise a crab make when it dies. - Culinate

What Is Your Favorite Fair/Festival Food?

partysugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:01:18 -0700

Let's Dish: What Foods Do You Look For at The Fair?

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:50:54 -0700

Next month, some of my friends are making the trek out to Sacramento from the Bay Area to hit up the California State Fair, where a number artists - including one of my favorite country music stars - is performing. But the state fair doesn't have to put on an elaborate musical production to get me to show up; I'd be there for the food alone! After all, who can say no to mile-high strawberry daiquiris, elephant ears, garlic fries, and those giant smoked turkey legs?

My personal can't-miss item at any festival or fair is the funnel cake, which I always get because I'll never make it at home. What do you enjoy at Summer fairs?

Source: Flickr User Jamiesrabbits

Do You Belong to a CSA?

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:45:20 -0800

The Atlantic finally broached a rather touchy question I have quietly wondered for a long, long time: are CSAs a ripoff? In case you aren't familiar with a CSA, short for "community supported agriculture," it's basically a service wherein you buy a subscription of locally grown or raised produce, eggs, or meat and receive a share every month. I know the concept furthers the idea of good, clean, and fair food - yet at the same time, I've always found the prices to be outrageous and, quite frankly, beyond my means. I'd rather just head to the farmers market. What about you?

Source: Flickr User erin.kkr

Minnesota's 59 Foods-on-a-Stick

YumSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:03:51 -0700

When I think of food on a stick, I think of state fairs, corn dogs and Summer. That's why I'm a bit confused on how an early day in Spring became Something-on-a-Stick Day. But hey, I like food-on-a-stick, so I'll play along.

To celebrate, I found this fantastic video from the 2006 Minnesota State Fair. From salmon steaks to key lime pie, the video features 59 different things-on-a-stick. It's really quite unbelievable and there's actually something for everyone. It doesn't take long to walk through them all, so watch the video now, just read more.

10 Things I Learned at Rachael Ray's Burger Bash

partysugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:00:41 -0800

Last night the festivities at the Food Network's annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival kicked off with the highly anticipated Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray. The line to get inside stretched from the beach to the street and the place was packed. There were celebrity chefs and well-known food personalities everywhere: serving burgers (Bobby Flay, Daniel Boulud, and Michael Symon), mingling with the crowds (Anne Burrell, Sam Talbot, Sandra Lee), and judging the competition (Art Smith and Carla Hall). I was in attendance and while I had my fair share of scrumptious burgers and amazing side dishes, I learned a thing or 10 at the party. To find out what they are, read more.

A TON of people attend the Burger Bash. Seriously, the place was very packed. There were lines everywhere and it was hard to walk around.
Morimoto sure can draw a crowd. His booth was the most popular; he had a never-ending line all night.
Spike Mendelsohn knows how to make a really good burger. His classic burger with bacon and American cheese on a soft bun was my favorite.
John Cusimano is incredibly short. I happened to be standing right next to him and thought, "Who is this super short guy? He looks so familiar." Then I realized it was Rachael Ray's husband!
Bobby Flay is as cute and charming in real life as he is on television.
Rocco Dispirito doesn't care if he serves burnt buns. My bun was black.
Stephanie Izard makes the most delicious ham French fires. Yes, you read that correctly, I said, ham French fries.
In real life Carla Hall is stunning. She's statuesque, beautiful, calm, and perfectly poised.
Govind Armstrong makes a mean croquette. I went back for his chorizo and potato croquettes three times!
Sadly, there still aren't a lot of female chefs out there. The majority of chefs that competed were male.

Michael Symon and his burger with Swiss, pastrami, and coleslaw was the winner. Unfortunately, it was not one of the burgers I tried!

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