Apple Fritters

Note:  Another favorite fair food of my hubs' is the apple fritters.    He likes the ones that are fried crispy.

Apple Fritters

Ingredients
oil for deep frying
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. milk
1 T. shortening, melted
1 c. apples, peeled, cored and diced
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 T. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 c. powdered sugar
1 t. cinnamon

Directions

Add enough oil to a deep fryer or Dutch oven to equal a depth of 3 inches. In a large mixing bowl, combine egg and milk; stir in shortening and apples. In a separate bowl sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; add to egg mixture. Mix well and drop by tablespoonfuls into 365-degree hot oil. Fry about 4 minutes or until golden, turning to brown all sides evenly. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon; drain on several layers of paper towels. Toss powdered sugar and cinnamon together; roll fritters in the sugar mixture. Serve warm. Makes 6 to 8.

Funnel Cakes

Note:  It is almost time for the MS State Fair.  That means everyone's favorite:  the food.  

Funnel Cakes

Ingredients
1-1/3 c. all-purpose flour
2 T. sugar
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1 egg
3/4 c. milk
oil for deep-frying
Garnish: powdered sugar

Directions

Sift flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt together; set aside. Mix egg and milk together; add to flour mixture. Stir until batter is smooth. Pour oil into a deep skillet to a depth of one inch; heat oil over medium heat to 375 degrees on a candy thermometer. Holding a finger over the spout of a funnel, pour 1/4 cup batter into the funnel. Release your finger and allow batter to flow into the hot oil, spiraling batter to form cake. Fry for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown; drain and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 6 funnel cakes.

Caramel Apple Pie

Note:    Pie is not one of my favorite desserts, but this caramel apple pie with walnuts was one I just enjoyed.   It just screams fall to me.

Caramel Apple Pie

Instructions
24 caramels
2 T. water
4 c. apples, peeled, cored and sliced
9-inch pie crust, unbaked
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/3 c. margarine
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Directions

Melt caramels in water in heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Spoon apples into pie crust; top with caramel sauce. Mix flour, sugar and cinnamon together; cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in walnuts; sprinkle over apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes or until apples are tender. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Copycat Chik-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Note:   We love Chik-Fil-A!      We could eat there at least once a week.   Whether hot or cold it is oh so delicious.   It is "my pleasure" to make these for my boys.

Copycat Chik-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients:
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 1/4 cups flour
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
oil for frying

Directions:
In a medium bowl whisk together egg and milk. Trim fat from chicken and dice into large cubes. Place chicken in egg mixture, cover and allow to marinate in the fridge 2-4 hours.

In a large bowl combine flour, powdered sugar, salt and pepper. Dredge chicken until thoroughly coated. Meanwhile, over medium high heat, heat oil in a large, high sided skillet until hot or 375°. There should be 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch or so in the pan. Drop 10-12 nuggets into the oil and fry until golden brown and the chicken is completely cooked through, turning several times. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked. Drain on a paper towel. Serve warm.

Bacon and Egg Waffles

Note:  This is the all in one breakfast!   Eggs, bacon and cheese all in a waffle.    These are a definite hit at our breakfast table.

Bacon and Egg Waffles

Ingredients
1 egg, beaten
1 c. milk
1 c. sour cream
1 T. butter, melted
2 c. biscuit baking mix
6 to 8 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

In a medium bowl, blend together egg, milk, sour cream and butter. Stir in biscuit baking mix; blend well. Mix in bacon and cheese. Pour in enough batter to fill a preheated waffle iron and bake until steaming stops and waffles are crisp and golden. Makes 12 waffles.

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

Note:  Flavored coffees are one of my favorite things in life.    I don't like spending the money to buy them from coffee shops, but when you make them at home they are very reasonable and delicious.

Snickerdoodle Coffee Mix

Ingredients
1 c. sugar
1 c. powdered milk
1/2 c. vanilla-flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 c. baking cocoa
3 T. instant coffee granules
1/2 t. allspice
1/4 t. cinnamon

Directions

Combine ingredients; store in an airtight container. Attach instructions. Makes about 3 cups. Instructions: Add 3 tablespoons mix to 3/4 cup boiling water; stir well. Makes one serving.

Sweet Potato Waffles

Note:  Waffles and sweet potatoes combined?   How amazing!   They do not need syrup.  Just sprinkle them with powdered sugar.   Yummy!


Sweet Potato Waffles

Ingredients
1 c sweet potatoes, peeled, cooked and mashed
1-1/4 c. buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
1 T. oil
2 c. biscuit baking mix
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
 powdered sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, buttermilk, egg and oil. In a separate bowl, whisk together baking mix, sugar and cinnamon. Stir sweet potato mixture into dry ingredients to make a fairly thick batter. Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 cup batter into a preheated waffle iron that has been sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray. Bake as manufacturer directs. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serves 6.