Nothing says Fall in Texas like football and deep fried madness at the State Fair of Texas. Every year maroon and burnt orange collide at the greatest fair in Dallas. Now, I’m sure when most people think “fair” they think rides, games, petting zoos, and crafts. Well Big Tex does offer all of these fun festivities, but when I think fair I only think of one thing…food, more food, tons of food…tons of FRIED FOOD! Oh, and a pretty sweet car show as well.

Each season only the finest are crowned winners of the Big Tex Choice Awards. This year’s finalist were comprised of:

Green Goblins – Cherry peppers are hollowed out, stuffed with spicy shredded chicken and guacamole, then battered and deep fried.  Served three to a skewer and topped with queso.

Deep Fried Butter – 100% pure butter is whipped till light and fluffy, then specially sweetened with a choice of several flavors.  The tantalizing mixture is surrounded by a special dough and quick fried.

Twisted Yam on a Stick – A delicious, towering, spiral-cut sweet potato on a 13” skewer is fried to a delicate crispy texture, then gently rolled in butter and dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

Fernie’s Deep Fried Peaches & Cream – Sweet juicy peaches are coated in a delicious batter of cinnamon, ginger, coconut, graham cracker crumbs, eggs & milk, then deep fried to a crunchy golden brown on the outside, while luscious and sweet on the inside.  Served on a plate drizzled with raspberry sauce, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and topped with a cool dollop of whipped cream.  A side of vanilla butter cream icing is provided for dipping.

Texas Fried Pecan Pie – A mini-pecan pie is battered and deep fried to a golden brown.  Served drizzled with rich caramel sauce, then topped with whipping cream and chopped candied pecans.

Country Fried Pork Chips – Thin sliced pork loin is seasoned, surrounded by a tasty corn meal batter and deep fried.  Served with sides of ketchup or cream gravy.

Sweet Jalapeno Corn Dog Shrimp – Shrimp on a stick is coated with a sweet and spicy corn meal batter, then deep fried to a golden brown and served with a spicy glaze.

Fried Peanut Butter Cup Macaroon – A peanut butter cup is wrapped inside a coconut macaroon fried and dusted with powdered sugar.  Also available with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream.

Ever since I was a little girl the State Fair of Texas was always an event to look forward to. Living in Oklahoma we would always make the trip for the big Red River Shootout (OU vs. TX) at the Cotton Bowl, right in the heart of the fair grounds. Not that we didn’t have a state fair of our own in Oklahoma, but nothing could compare to the excitement of football and the most delicious food and fair fun. As an adult I still feel that excitement every year, and my belly does as well.

I’m sure everyone is wondering, “Did you try the fried butter?” To be honest, I couldn’t get far enough away from that one. I do enjoy my fare share of butter…but flavored and fried..um I don’t think so. In order to stomach everything on the winners’ list it would most definitely take a few trips. So on our one, and only, adventure to Fair Park I only gave one item a shot, the Green Goblins. Of course I would pick the most Tex-Mex inspired fried item to try, and I must say, it wasn’t bad at all. Anything swimming in queso gets my vote.

As impressive as the list may be, there are two things I absolutely must get; a Fletcher’s corn dog (this year I tried the cheese and jalapeno stuffed…delish) and Pedro’s Tamales. They really got it right when they positioned the largest Fletcher’s stand right near the entrance. There’s no better way to start your adventure than deep fried franks.

The day was chilly and rainy, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the food extravaganza! If your going to do it..you’ve got to do it up right!

• Fletcher’s Jalapeno and Cheese Corn Dog
• Pedro’s Tamales and fresh salsa
• The Green Goblins
• Frozen Cheesecake Dipped in Chocolate
• Texas Tornado Fries
• Buttery Corn on the Cob
• Ice Cold Miller Lite

All I can say is three hours later and one incredibly full belly, meant Sarah was ready for a nap and some pepto. Oh but it was worth it.

The one thing I will warn against is the Fried Coke. Fried nuggets of batter seasoned with coke syrup, placed in a cup and filled with coca-cola, then topped with whipped cream…DISGUSTING! Now I will preface by saying I’m not a huge coke fan, but there was just something so wrong about the way that fried batter tasted. My advice, save your pricey coupons and grab another one of the many exotic concoctions.

I could go on and on about all of the creative foods the State Fair of Texas surprises us with every year, but you’ll just have to go experience it for yourself. One more year down and one happy belly. Now lets just see if the Sooners can pull out a win. BOOMER!

Carrie Underwood: Along with all of the delicious food comes quite a bit of entertainment as well. The big stage at the fair brings quite a few artist and exciting stage shows, mostly paying tribute to the heart of Texas, country music. I wouldn’t say I’m a country music lover, but I definitely have a soft spot for Carrie Underwood. A fellow Okie and season 4 winner of American Idol her voice is smooth and her music is that perfect blend of pop and country fun. This song just so happened to be the “group” song at this year’s Denver Auditions of American Idol (yes I was there…that’s a story for another post)  and it makes me want to sing every time.

Click on the pic to view the video!