Fair Food

County and state fairs are my favorite times of the year. Usually beginning Late May and ending early September, these fairs are what agriculture is all about.

Many youngsters get their first real taste of healthy competition in showing in competing in their county fair events. From raising the prize-winning show heifer, to selling their hogs, or even entering flowers and vegetables in the fair, many young children learn about all the fun events and pleasures at their local county fairs.

Ag youth are an important part of carrying on the agriculture traditions their parent and even grandparents work in. County and state fairs are a vital part of these traditions.

I grew up showing cattle at fairs, entering fruits and vegetables that I grew in the garden at the local contests and enjoying the great fair food. Every year at the Missouri State Fair there are three things I must do: 1.) Catch up with old friends that show at the fair, 2.) Get a big ole glass of lemonade and 3.) Eat a corn dog.

So, today to celebrate county and state fairs across the country, I’m sharing some old fashioned fair recipes. I am also including a recipe that I got from Silver Dollar City for their Deep-fried Oreos.

This year get out to your local fair and enjoy the wonders of the fair.

County Fair Lemonade
8 lemons
1 cup sugar
10 ice cubes

Bring lemons to room temp.

Roll lemons, then slice and half and squeeze into a gallon container. Toss lemon rinds into a container. Pour sugar over rinds and let sit for 30 minutes. Add ice cubes and enough water to fill container. Stir and serve. Add more sugar if desired.

State Fair Corn Dogs
½ cup yellow corn meal
½ cup flour
1 T. sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. baking powder
A pinch of salt
½ cup milk
1 whole egg, lightly beaten
1 T. melted butter
6 skewers
6 hot dogs
Vegetable oil

Mix corn meal, flour, sugar, dry mustard, baking powder and salt in bowl. Add the milk, beaten egg and butter. Mix well.

Place hot dogs on skewers and dig each hotdog in the batter, making sure you coat it well. I like to coat a couple of times.

Deep fry for about 2 minutes and until the corn dogs are golden brown. Drain on paper towel and let cool.

Cotton Candy Cookies
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
2 T. granulated fructose
2 tsp. orange oil
1 tsp orange rind, grated

Beat granulated fructose, orange oil and rind into the stiff egg whites. Drop onto lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from pan immediately before cooling.

Deep-fried Oreos
1 cup of pancake mix, buttermilk if you have it
¾ cup ice water
1 quart vegetable oil
14 Oreo cookies
Powdered sugar

Freeze cookies for three hours.

Heat oil in a heavy 3 quart saucepan.

While oil is heating up, lay out a cookie sheet with paper towels for draining. In a medium bowl mix water and pancake mix completely.

As soon as batter is smooth, dip each cookie, one at a time. Place coated cookie in oil and cook until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar.