by Steven Doyle
On Labor Day all speculation will end on who has the best and most unique fried gizmo for the 2011 State Fair of Texas. If you recall, last year we were entertained by Fried Beer and Fried Frito Pie. Lines curved the Midway as people clamored for these unusual items.
Do the new crop of deep fryers have the chops to pull off top awards? Will the average fairgoer buy into the new concept?
CraveDFW will check out the Seventh Annual Big Tex Choice Awards when vendors compete for Best Taste and Most Creative new foods at the 2011 State Fair of Texas next week and give you a full report. Let’s have a look at the finalists:
Fried Frito Pie was actually decent
Buffalo Chicken in a Flapjack – A buffalo chicken strip is coated in flapjack batter, rolled in jalapeno bread crumbs, deep fried to a golden brown, skewed, and served with a side of syrup. Crowd pleasing appetizer or a meal in itself!
Deep Fried Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Fresh and sweet pineapple rings are delicately dipped in cake batter, fried, and coated with a caramel, sugar, and cinnamon glaze. What tropical treat is complete without a cherry on top?
Deep Fried Texas Salsa™ – This spicy medley of jalapenos, roasted garlic, onion, tomato, and pepper is rolled together, dipped in masa, and covered in crunchy tortilla chips. Into the fryer and served with warm, deliciously creamy queso.
El Bananarito – In case you are wondering, it’s a deep fried banana rolled in a flour tortilla, topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, and a touch of vanilla extract. Top it off with your choice of smooth, hot caramel or decadent chocolate syrup.
Fried Autumn Pie – Fairgoers will fall for this hard to resist puff pastry infused with a scrumptious combination of pumpkin, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and fall spices. Deep fried and rolled in ginger, cinnamon, and sugar.
Fried Bubblegum – You’ll swear it’s bubblegum! A light as a feather bubble gum flavored marshmallow is dipped in batter and lightly fried to perfection. Decorated with a swirl of icing. A final sprinkling of powdered sugar completes this treat! It will blow you away!
Hans’ Kraut Ball – A conglomeration of taste: browned pork sausage, onion, garlic, a zing of sauerkraut, mustard, and tasty seasonings all rolled into a mouth-watering ball of delight. Covered with seasoned bread crumbs, deep fried, and served with your choice Spicy Mustard, Rasberry Chipotle, or Ranch.
Walking Taco – Stroll down the Midway with this concoction of seasoned hamburger meat, lettuce, onion, fresh tomato, grated cheese, sour cream, and tasty salsa. Inventively served up in a Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos® bag!
I wish I was a judge in that competition!
I have judged more than my share of food events, and this one I am happy to be just a happy bystander.
can you make a (sad but true) arguement that the answer to the question “what is dallas’ signature food?” is “creative deep fried crap at the fair?”
is this the complete list of contenders? thanks!
These are the finaists that will compete for the two est of prizes this coming Monday (Labor Day). It is closed to the public but we have been invited and will bring you all the up-to-the-minute info on our favorites.