Tuesday, August 18, 2009

All Things Fried

My mention of elephant ears in yesterday's post sparked many a conversation about what the heck these things are.



Let me explain. They are the wonderfulness that is fried dough...lovingly coated with cinnamon and sugar! You can usually find them at amusement parks, state fairs, and carnivals.

Now, these are not to be confused with funnel cakes. Although these are also made with deep fried dough, the cake is constructed by pouring the dough through a funnel into the oil so the shape is a bit different. I, admittedly, have a funnel cake maker...so I am a reliable source. Don't judge. It was a gift. I usually top my funnel cakes with powdered sugar.

source


There are also the delightful beignets. Matt and I had these little babies in Baton Rouge when we were down south visiting some friends. They are made with that lovely fried dough again and topped with powdered sugar. Yum!



Think I'm done? Think again. Next up, the churro. I first experienced the yumminess of the churro at Costco of all places. Here...the churros are actually baked and not fried (6 points if you're interested...and totally worth it!).



But, I was able to try out some fried churros at Jack In The Box in Nashville and they were all kinds of delicious!



Now, elephant ears are no question my favorite. They are the biggest (anything that allows me to stuff my face for longer earns a gold star in my book) and sweetest in my opinion. The powdered sugar just doesn't do it enough for me like good old granulated sugar. I would also advise eating anything and everything fried right away. It is always best right out of the fryer when it is still warm.



As I was scouring Facebook in an attempt to look for a picture of me chowing down on an elephant ear (which I was unable to find...I'm sure to your disappointment!)...I noticed that I have a TON of pictures of me stuffing my face with sweets and fried foods. Hm. Very attractive Jenny.


About to chow down at the Hershey Store in Chicago



Hitting up the chocolate fountain on our honeymoon cruise. Fried doughnuts and chocolate=good; my face=not.



Fried macaroni and cheese balls in Key West...what could be better? Oh...a margarita with it? Yes...that is better!



Another honeymoon adventure! Man I ate well that trip :)




This one doesn't count right? Well maybe it does because I made him feed me another bite because I wanted more :)



I guess living in the Mid-west has given me one thing I cannot live without....



exposure to all things fried!

My waist line thanks you!

18 comments:

Lucy Marie said...

Love it. It's only 8:45 am and now all I can think about is eating fried food. We're going out for dinner tonight, perhaps I will be able to find something satisfactory.

Unknown said...

Now I desperately want a churro with chocolate for breakfast. And out of curiousity, how does the weight watchers point system work? I've been trying to lose 5 lbs forever now, but it's just not happening. The fact that I'm not exercising has NOTHING to do with it, I'm sure.

The Shabby Princess said...

Now I'm hungry!!! I looooove churros. They're my favorite.

Summer Athena said...

OMG! I want to be home in Louisiana eating beignets! How can you do this to me? lol.

A New England Girl said...

Mmmm... I am having such cravings for fried foods right now. You're evil!! Well, in a sweet, lovely sort of way. Haha. I am off to another county fair this upcoming weekend and I know exactly what I am looking for when I first get there!! :) I didn't know so many fried foods existed!!

Dollface said...

Ok beignets are my favorite with clotted cream, omg.... yum! Although I have been having synthetic desserts bc real ones make my tummy hurt... i love this post, yum! xxxoo

Milltini said...

Yummm this makes me CRAVE some carnival food ;-)

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

Fried=evil=yum!!

A Fuller Day said...

I love that you have dedicated this post to all things sweet and fried! You are truly a girl after my own heart. In fact, just yesterday I started a cupcake club. :)

Baker's Cakes said...

FRIED MACARONI AND CHEESE BALLS!!?? nuff said. ps thanks for the explanation of fried dough vs funnel cake! I LOVE that you OWN a funnel cake maker! That's awesome!

jlc said...

Hahahh! I LOVE that you have a lot of pics of you stuffing your face!! That sooo sounds like me!!

And if you love elephant ears you'd LOVE bear claws too!!

Great post.

Ashley @ {Let Go, Laughing} said...

i think i want a churro now... yumm

Annie said...

i love posts on food! all your sweets look scrumptious ;)
now i'm starving and i have a giant chocolate chip cookie my wonderful boss just gave me...he knows i'm trying to drop a couple so he goes and buys the biggest cookie...what a butt!

Cristina said...

I have a deep obsession with Churros, oh.my.goodness. What is better than fried dough covered in sugar? I love this post, and am going to have to get me some elephant ears, only question is where the heck do I find those in Toronto??

PS - have you been watching Days? What is up with Melanie and Philip getting busy at the no-tell-motel? hmmm...its getting interesting now!

Abbie said...

I was at that same place in Baton Rouge this summer on our way from New Orleans to Layfayette! I cannot remember the name of it but the beignets were awesome!

Cute blog you've got here!

Together We Save said...

Love elephant ears. Reminds me of our local fair.

Brittany Ann said...

Oh, churros! I'd forgotten how delicious they are until this! I must have one! (And I don't know where to get one here!)

Ashley said...

Oh my goodness! I am in love with elephant ears! haha I actually work at a resturaunt where thier signature dessert is elephant ears....needless to say I've gained a few pounds since we opened!! :) Love the blog!