State Fair... Fare: Turkey Legs and Red Velvet Funnel Cakes

Sometimes a food writer and radio host just needs to get down on some grub at a fair.  The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair recently passed, and I had the opportunity to visit the festivities in order to taste a few deep-fried delicacies.  J.H. Martin, the Foundation Chairman for the Fair, invited me out personally to try a new addition to the culinary lineup: the Red Velvet Funnel Cake.

Jay eating a turkey leg

 Before I could go for the funnel cake, however, a giant turkey leg caught my eye.  In high school I helped cook and sell turkey legs for a fundraiser at our annual County Fair, so seeing a giant leg of smoked poultry made me long for those days.  I had to have one.  I grabbed the leg using its natural "handle" and sunk my teeth into its deliciously moist and tender flesh.  Memories flourished in my mind as I drifted back to my childhood.  I took another bite and another.  Damn, I love a turkey leg!  I devoured the entire thing... and it looked something like this:

Disney's Sir Kay from The Sword in the Stone eating a (gigantic) chicken leg

Then I got to the Red Velvet Funnel Cake.  The delicate red batter drizzled lusciously into the pool of hot oil.    There it fried, floating on the surface until cooked through but still tender.  A cream cheese frosting then melted over the funnel cake to create this genius dessert.  Well, almost.  Ultimately it ended up being a little soft and soggy.  While very tasty, the textures weren't quite what I was hoping for.  Maybe it needed to be fried a little longer to hold up to the wet frosting instead of the traditional powdered sugar.  Regardless of any flaws, the red velvet funnel cake definitely is worthy of trying.  We scarfed down the entire cake and could have eaten more.  Still, next time I'm in the mood for a funnel cake, I think I'll go for the original.

And thanks to Noel Marcantel Photography for snapping and sharing a couple pictures!

United States - The 2010 FIFA World Cup Bites and Boozes

United States

Happy Fourth of July, America!  In celebration, despite being eliminated from the World Cup by Ghana in the Round of 16, today will feature a post about bites and boozes of the good old USA!  Choosing this is rather painful.  Since I live in the USA, and I know about so much good food here, AND I could really do a post on all 50 states, let alone one for the entire country, the selection process will be difficult.  I thought about going with hot dogs and Budweiser, but that would be too easy.  So instead, I'll go hamburgers and Bud Light... no, just kidding.  Instead, I'll do... wait for it... State Fair fare and bourbon!

What is more American than food at a State Fair?  I'd say apple pie, but isn't it more American when you get it deep fried on a stick?  Food on a stick provides easy access from barbeque pit or deep fryer, using a delivery mechanism, straight to the mouth.  Think of all the wonderful things you can find at State Fairs!  Take these, for example.  I know there are plenty more out there, so let me know if you can find something better!

Here is your basic French fries on a stick.

But have you ever had fried mashed potatoes?

You can always find the classic American corn dog.

But, have you ever had a deep fried hot dog with a bun or French fries?

Bacon wrapped sausage is usually a good call.

Or, you can just opt for the "chicken fried bacon"!  You really can't beat a meat-fried-meat!

Maybe you are a vegetarian?  There is always deep-fried corn!

And if you really want a bowl of goodness instead of just eating it off a stick, how about a Hot Beef Sundae!?

Once your sweet tooth warms up, go for the deep fried tootsie roll (or twinkies, snickers, etc.)

You won't go far without finding a funnel cake.

Apple pies on sticks are good, but this deep fried pecan pie on a stick may be even better!

And finally, as if the needed to get better, you can grab a deep fried Oreo cookie.

Need I say anything more than GOD BLESS AMERICA?!  On to bourbon!

Bourbon is an American whiskey, a type of distilled spirit, made primarily from corn (maize) and named for Bourbon County, Kentucky. It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress recognized Bourbon Whiskey as a "distinctive product of the United States." The Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5.22) state that bourbon must meet these requirements:

• Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn.
• Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
• Neither coloring nor flavoring may be added.
• Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.
• Bourbon must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
• Bourbon, like other whiskeys, may not be bottled at less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume.)
• Bourbon which meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years, may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.
• Straight Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
• If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.

In practice, almost all bourbons marketed today are made from more than two-thirds corn, have been aged at least four years, and do qualify as "straight bourbon"—with or without the "straight bourbon" label. The exceptions are inexpensive commodity brands of bourbon aged only three years and pre-mixed cocktails made with straight bourbon aged the minimum two years. However, a few small distilleries market bourbons aged for as little as three months.

For a post about American beer, though likely also not about Budweiser of Bud Light, check out the BR Beer Scene!

Thanks and Credits:

http://nowthatsnifty.blogspot.com/2009/06/food-on-stick.html
http://www.slashfood.com/2007/08/27/texas-state-fair-food/
http://www.digitalworshiper.com/2008/08/texans-determined-to-die-early-and.html
http://thisbluemarble.com/showthread.php?p=132219
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_whiskey
http://www.theupstairscharlottesville.com/cellar/cellar.htm
http://midmidlifecrisis.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/drinking-in-your-20s/