Fair Food (Minus the Fair)

Apparently, everyone likes fair food. From turkey legs (blah!) to fried snickers (seriously?), fair food can be quite disgusting interesting. 

I don't like fair food. It grosses me out. 

A staple of the fair food menu would probably have to be corn dogs. 

I've never had a corn dog. Ever. Another thing that grosses me out. 

However, a lot of people (including a few members of my family) love corn dogs. So when I decided to make some finger foods for dinner one night, the recipe for mini corn dog muffins was at the top of my list. 

NOTE: These are not gluten-free, therefore I did not eat them. My family did say that they're amazing, though!

First, put the melted butter and sugar in a bowl and whisk together.

 Then add the eggs and whisk

























The buttermilk will now join. Whisk.

Set that aside. In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda, cornmeal, flour and salt.

Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet and mix well. Then add the rest. Mix well.

Cut hot dogs into 1" pieces. Spoon 1/2 a tablespoon in a greased mini muffin tin. Then push one hot dog piece into the middle.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool about 5 minutes before removing from pan.

These little guys were so cute. My family really enjoyed them! This is another great game day recipe that is so easy to throw together.

Mini Corn Dog Muffins

Recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 8-10 hotdogs 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degree.

2. Combine melted butter and sugar, then whisk. Add eggs and buttermilk, whisking after each addition. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, combine baking soda, cornmeal, flour and salt. Add half of the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, whisk. Then add the other half. Whisk to combine.

4. Spray the mini muffin tin with non-stick spray. Spoon 1/2 tbsp of batter into each cup. Drop 1" piece of hot dog and press into middle.

5. Bake until golden brown, around 8-10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing.

***

Since I did not try these, I cannot tell you how wonderful these were. But, my family ate a lot of them and even took them for the lunch the next day. So they passed the leftover test and when I asked my sister if they were good enough to put on the blog, she replied "YES" in caps. Apparently that's a good thing? Teenagers. Weird creatures, aren't they?

Anyway.

So, if you like corn dogs, then eat these. And you won't have to worry about the crowds or the nastiness of the fair.

You're welcome.

Kaci

Get Your Game Day On!

I always have myself a little mourning session right after the Superbowl. Even though I'm excited for spring and warmer weather, I am slightly depressed because the football season is over and I have to wait several months to see grown men fight over a tiny football a football game.

It's terribly upsetting.

This recipe I'm about to share would be perfect for game day on a cold winter day. However, it would work perfectly for the March Madness games coming up. It's easy to make, throws together quickly and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Take 4 potatoes...
 

 

Cut into slices approximately 1/8" thick and throw into a big pot 

Cover potato slices with cold, salted water. Put on high heat to boil. Once it is boiling, leave it on for 4-5 more minutes. When the 4-5 minutes are up, carefully pour into a colander.

Then lay out a lot of paper towel. Put each individual slice on the paper towel. Don't leave them in the colander or they will continue to cook and become mushy. I wouldn't know though. It's just a rumor I heard.

WARNING: The slices will be hot when you transfer them from the colander to the paper towel. But go ahead and sacrifice your fingers, it's worth it. 

Then take another paper towel and pat the lovely little slices dry. 

Take some non-stick spray and give your baking sheet a nice, light coat. 

Next you're going to pick up your freshly bathed and dried slices and lay them on a baking sheet so they overlap. 

Spray the potatoes with some cooking spray.

Then sprinkle salt and pepper on the pretty spuds.

Then sprinkle some cheese and bacon bits on 'em. No specific measurement, just sprinkle to your little heart's content.

 

Bake at 375 for 12-14 minutes. 

We loved these! So much, that I couldn't even snap a picture when they came out of the oven because my family inhaled them. Vultures, I tell you. 

Cheesy Potato Slices For A Crowd

*Serves 8

Adapted from Vittles and Bits 

• 4 potatoes, sliced approx. 1/8" thick
• Cooking spray
• Shredded Cheese
• Salt & Pepper
• Bacon Bits

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2. Wash and slice potatoes. Put potato slices in a large pot. Cover with cold water, add salt and set to boil. Boil for 4-5 minutes.

3. Pour slices into a colander and drain. Transfer slices to paper towel and pat dry.

4. Grease baking sheet. Lay potato slices on baking sheet.

5. Spray with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt, pepper, cheese and bacon bits.

6. Bake 12-15 minutes.

***

BONUS TIME!

I like to treat you right here at AIC (that's Adventures In Cooking), so I'm giving you a 2 for 1 deal. 

You're welcome. 

This, my friends, is Chipotle Ranch. 

Also known as, ohmanthisissogoodiwanttoputitoneverything.

It's a perfect sidekick to the Cheesy Potato Slices For A Crowd. And, chances are, you already have everything to make it.

Chipotle Ranch

Adapted from Vittles and Bits

• 1 tbsp. ranch dressing
• 3 tbsp. sour cream
• 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne*
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

* I like it pretty spicy but if you're not sure how spicy you want it, I recommend cutting the cayenne in half and adding a little more until it suits your taste.

1. Mix all the above ingredients and serve.

This only made enough for two people. So if you are serving a large crowd, adapt the measurements accordingly.

***

The Cheesy Potato Slices For A Crowd are really good, but the Chipotle Ranch just takes them over the top. If spicy ranch doesn't tickle your fancy then you can serve the potatoes with sour cream or plain ranch. 

I hope you enjoy!

Kaci

P.S. What's your favorite game day food?

Mine is big bowl of chili on a cold Sunday.