Bill Phillip's | Transformation

Warning - Warning - It's almost State Fair time in Texas

Why the warning - Where do you think Fried Twinkies and Fried Snickers show up on the menu at state fairs now.  There are many yearly contest at the State Fair of Texas but none could wreck havoc on a diet more than the Big Tex Choice Awards

Just a side note - I actually got a healthy recipe published in the latest Jenny Craig Creative recipes cookbook so I tried to find a 'healthy' recipe contest at the state far and there was not one to be found!

The Winners are  - and I use the term lightly (none of the recipes are light by the way) 

Winner of Best Tasting

Chicken Fried Bacon – Thick and peppery Farm Pac® bacon is seasoned, double-dipped in a special batter and breading and, then, deep-fried. Served with a creamy side of ranch or honey mustard sauce.

Winner of Most Creative

Fried Banana Split – A mixture of banana and honey peanut butter is rolled in balls, battered and deep-fried and topped with assorted, delicious fixings, including powdered sugar, caramel and chocolate syrups, chopped peanuts, whipped cream and banana split flavored ice cream bites then fittingly crowned with the traditional cherry.

Other Finalists

Fernie’s All-American Fried Grilled Cheese Sandwich – An American classic with a State Fair twist. Two slices of white bread filled with a blend of American and cheddar cheeses, dipped in an egg and milk batter and lightly coated with panko bread crumbs for extra crispness. Served with a side of shoestring potato sticks, a pickle spear and tomato soup dipping sauce. The All American Meal!

Texas Fried Jelly Belly Beans – Jelly Belly beans are rolled in funnel cake batter and fried to a crunch. People can share the treat with friends and try to guess the flavors of the Jelly Belly beans before biting down. Granny’s Funnel Cake stand C6 at the south side of the Coliseum and C7 next to the Gateway Pavilion. 

Deep Fried S’mores – Marshmallow cream and chocolate chips are sandwiched between two graham crackers, dipped in a feather-light batter and fried to a golden brown. The campfire-inspired treats are dusted in powdered sugar. At stand N9 located near the Embarcadero entrance.

Fire & Ice – A pineapple ring is battered and deep-fried, then topped with banana-flavored whipped cream that’s been frozen in liquid nitrogen. The smoking concoction is ladled with strawberries and syrup. At the family-run stand on Nimitz Drive.

Fried Chocolate Truffles – A silky-smooth, handmade, dark chocolate truffle is rolled in cocoa powder before being battered and deep-fried. The melting chocolate goodness is dusted in cinnamon, sugar and cocoa powder. Located on Nimitz near the entrance to the Creative Arts Showplace Theater.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Waffle Balls – Plump fresh strawberries covered in a thick chocolate shell are dipped in a sweet, waffle batter and deep-fried. Dusted with powdered sugar and served on a stick. At the Belgian Waffle stand G39 located on the NE corner of the Esplanade.

Other side note - Hubby and I go to the fair almost every year and not once have we ever tried any of these crazy concoctions.  We do get the traditional Fletcher's corn dog because we do a ton of walking and it is usually the only item we get other than a beverage.  The corn dogs actually probably have way less calories than the host of other things on here.   

Memories - One year I was doing Weight Watcher so I was a good girl and the only thing I purchased the whole day was one of those big dill pickles.  At my next weight in 2 days later had gained 3 lbs!  Gotta love sodium!  I also found out at a WW meeting that turkey legs have about 26 pts which is around 1000+ calories!    

All things to keep in mind for free day!!!