It’s that annual time of year in Orange County when the fair comes to town. I’m not sure what has more appeal - the opportunity to risk your life on fair rides, Weird Al’s brain exhibit (not sure what that’s about), or spending a small fortune to taste test the wide and scary variety of fried foods available.
My dad’s birthday always coincides with the fair. No, we didn’t take him to the fair. We like him too much to do that to him. We celebrated at my house and because I’m so burned out from baking, I couldn’t bring myself to bake a cake. Thank goodness the boy had a better idea! I don’t eat a lot of fried foods, but what my son requested required Grandma’s deep fryer. The boy and his Grandpa can never pass a churro stand without buying one when they’re together. This shared ritual started at Disney when my son was two (just shortly after his grandpa taught him the phrase, “More Beer!”). Anyway, I had to agree that frying up a few churros was the perfect alternative to a birthday cake. Not only were yummy, but had a personal meaning behind them. Have I taught the child well or what? The recipe below comes from the “Butter, Sugar, Flour” blog and was really easy to make.
Now, had I known that deep fried White Castles were an option, I might have convinced the boy that we make these for my dad just for shock value. My parent’s first date was at White Castle (Apparently, my dad was really trying to impress her?? 42 years of marriage later I think he made a good choice). We don’t have White Castle in California (and those frozen ones in the freezer aisle don’t count!). When my parents moved here, they used to make my grandma bring a case on the plane with her as a “carry-on” item. I’m not kidding! Can you imagine the smell? Does deep-frying them take the edge off the smell? Hmmm…. Let me know if you make it to the fair.
If you’re now inspired to take out that deep fryer, here are the latest fried foods coming to a fair near you. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff?
1. Deep-fried chocolate covered bacon
2. Zucchini weenie (if you’re wondering it’s a hot dog in a hollowed out zucchini, battered and deep-fried.)
3. Deep-fried coke (I’m a little confused too.)
4. Fried Jelly Bellys (How dare anyone even consider messing with a Jelly Belly?)
5. Fried pizza (because it wasn’t greasy enough in its original state??)
Churros with Dulce de Leche Sauce (From Linda at Butter, Sugar, Flour)
Adapted from a recipe by the Bodega Tapas boys found in Gourmet Traveller, October 2007.
