I love unique cookbooks, especially themed ones. I recently received <strong>Fair Foods The Most popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State and County Fairs by George Geary. This is more than just a cookbook, it is a history book on the crazy things Americans eat at the fair. This book is also beautifully adorned with images that make these foods even more appealing.
We all have our favorite fair foods, and while we know all of these types of foods are not diet staples but “some times foods”, who hasn’t dreamed of making some of these delicacies at home, or maybe for a party? Fair Foods boasts 120 interesting recipes including Texas Maple Bacon Donuts, The World’s Gooiest Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting, Aztec Hot Chocolate, Witch’s Brew, Caramel Kettle Corn, Fried Sweet Potato Sticks, Ten-Pound Cheesebuns, Cheesecake on a Stick, Chocolate-Encased Bacon, Fried Coca-Cola, Fried Guacamole, Fried Oreo Cookies, BBQ Turkey Legs, Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and Waffles, Blue Ribbon Chili, Pork Chop on a Stick, and Spicy Peanut Butter and Jelly Burgers.
While there are several recipes in this book I can’t wait to try, like the Bacon-Wrapped Tater Tots with buttermilk Dill Sauce, Maple and Bacon Doughnuts, Deep-Fried Butter, and Fried Coca-Cola, for this review I made what the cookbook calls Chocolate-Encased Bacon.
- 12 strips of bacon
- 1 lb chocolate candy coating
- sea salt optional
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Thread bacon strips onto skewers and place on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, turning bacon strips halfway through.
- drain and pat excess oil away with paper towels. Meanwhile, melt chocolate coating in a bowl over a double boiler.
- Using a pastry brush, coat bacon strips evenly with chocolate on both sides. Place strips on a clean baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Let cool.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
1. I didn't have a pastry brush, I drizzled the chocolate on with a spoon and it worked fine.
2. After putting chocolate on one side of the bacon, I popped it in the freezer for about 5 minutes before turning the bacon over to do the other side.
Jordan and Aaron got the first two servings of Chocolate Covered Bacon, then I brought the rest to church. We were in the middle of our prop and set building week for VBS so sweet and salty treats are always appreciated. Jeannette was in heaven while enjoying her skewer. Always health concious, Melinda surprised us when she cut some chocolate covered bacon off the skewer and put it between 2 pieces of glazed donut!! I enjoyed mine as I worked on collecting props for our class rotations. The rest were enjoyed by other volunteers. Everyone raved and wanted more so I would say this recipe is a big hit. You can get your copy of strong>Fair Foods The Most popular and Offbeat Recipes from America’s State and County Fairs and enjoy this and other fun recipes.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and all of the easy recipes I share here on The Mom Maven. I hope you share them on your social networks. I just ask that you not copy and share the entire recipe with photos. Please use the sharing buttons below and share the link to this post. Thanks!
Leave a Reply