Most of the year, my family is diligent in our avoidance of any food that has been poked through with a stick and then deep-fried. But this weekend we're making our annual pilgrimage to that bastion of bad food decisions, the California State Fair. That's the day when we let ourselves indulge in one, and only one, incomprehensibly crazy fried food concept.
From previous years:
(too avocado-y)
(scary-sweet)
(awesome)
What fresh fried hell on a stick may await us at this year's fair?! Will California take its cue from one of its Southern neighbors?
DALLAS — Last year, Chicken Fried Bacon and a Fried Banana Split took top honors at the annual Big Tex Choice Awards to pick the best new foods at the State Fair of Texas.
This year, the competition is equally innovative (and similarly deep-fried).
Go, read all the entries and vote for the one that horrifies you most. Me, I voted for the deep-fried butter. BUTTER, people. Texas, you may keep the deep-fried butter, but please tell me more about that fried banana split. Oooooh.
Please post directions for deep fried ice cream.
Posted by: Your mother | September 03, 2009 at 10:12 AM
We went to the Ventura County Fair and saw the booth for chocolate covered bacon. We were with Jewish friends and stayed away. But every so often I think about it and wonder, "If bacon is so yummy and chocolate is so yummy, wouldn't chocolate covered bacon be pure heaven?"
Posted by: Sue | September 03, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Chocolate coated bacon (or at least chocolate/bacon candy bars) are DELICIOUS! It shouldn't work but it does. And addictively so!!
How about something VERY California ironic/postmodern: deep-fried tofu (fried, naturally, in 100% extra premium virgin olive oil)!
PS--is it just me, or is there a very bizarre trend in restaurant going where, at particularly upscale eateries, all the ingredients in the dish are presented as though each has their own press agent? Can you just see the free-range chicken preening in front of the mere organicaly fermented goat cheese?
Posted by: Anthony | September 04, 2009 at 06:27 AM
Yes, food with its own press agent! At Sacramento's big food co-op, when you order lunch at the deli you practically need a tour guide.
I've had chocolate-coated bacon. It was good but not orgiastically so. (SP?)
And fried tofu is already done! In fact, I might fry some up tonight now that you've mentioned it.
Posted by: pam | September 04, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Well, perhaps I am the only person who thinks there's something "pomo" or "ironic" about deep-fried tofu...But to me, the idea is like "100% safe bungee jumping" or "deep-fried vitamins" (now I bet there's a food rend waiting to happen!).
Posted by: Anthony | September 04, 2009 at 12:59 PM