Entertaining Ideas Stolen from the State Fair
Replicate the Country Feel & Food at Your Next Event
Aug 23, 2009
The State Fairs held across the country in the summer months are festivals of heritage, state pride, natural resources, and down home country fun. While the animal barns, arena shows and midway rides are lots of fun, the food venues offer a plethora of hearty dining that can be copied for your next casual or formal dining event.
So before the summer is over, attend your county or state fair and walk through the food buildings with a new perspective. Taste the various treats like Cream Puffs from the dairy farmers, BBQ Pork Sandwiches from the pork producers or Maple Cotton Candy from the maple growers, and think how you could incorporate some of the tastes into a picnic setting, a potluck dinner or a dessert table. If possible, gather the promotional flyers that share the best recipes for each product, and take the time to ask some of the representatives about their food experiences. You will learn a lot from these experts, and it will make your own experiences more successful.
Butterfly Pork Chop Sandwich
One of the favorite State Fair food items that can be incorporated into your next dinner is the BBQ Pork Sandwich served for the past 26 years by the Wisconsin Pork Producers at the Pork Shoppe Grille. This savory butterfly sandwich can be made by the oodles to feed your hungry masses.
- Simply slow roast boneless pork chops on the grill or in the oven, until they are done but not dry. For larger groups, the cooked chops can be held in covered chafing dishes over a low flame or in covered pans in a low oven, until they are needed.
- To serve the Butterfly Pork Chop Sandwich, place a chop on a substantial sandwich bun (try a hearty potato roll or even a Kaiser roll if desired), slather it with a great barbecue sauce (try Famous Dave’s Rich and Sassy sauce), and get ready for your guests to enjoy the goodness!
Hot Roasted Ears of Corn
Another traditional fair food item that works well for large picnics, BBQs and casual gatherings, is hot roasted corn.
- Prepare the corn ahead of time by removing the outer or damaged husks. You may cut off the loose tips of the ears, also.
- Prepare your oven by covering the bottom rack with tin foil, to prevent any loose husks from burning on the coils.
- Roast the corn at 350 for 30 minutes, directly on the oven racks.
- To serve, use oven mitts to peel back the husks and remove the silk. A 6” length of kitchen string tied around the peeled husks creates an easy corn holder.
Once your guests brush their ears of corn with melted butter and a little salt, and take their first bite, you’ll understand why this dish will have them smiling from “ear to ear!”
 |
