New Deep-Fried Treats For State Fair

The Texas State Fair will be cranking up again very soon. It is scheduled to run from September 24th through October 17th this year. That means it's time to see what new deep-fried treats will be available for Fair-goers. The Fair proclaims itself to be "the fried food capital of Texas for 24 days" and each year it offers prizes for Best Tasting New Item and for Most Creative New Item.

The prize winners won't be declared until September 6th but the eight finalists have already been named (out of 62 entries), and there's some pretty weird stuff being fried up this year. In fact, two of the new offerings will require the purchaser to show some ID before they can buy them -- deep-fried beer and deep-fried frozen margaritas. State Fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said, "When you bite into it, the beer really does pour out."

Here are the eight finalists for this year's prizes (which will be judged by members of the media):

* deep-fried beer

* deep-fried frozen margarita

* deep-fried smores pop-tart

* deep-fried club salad (spinach wrapped around diced ham and chicken, carrots, lettuce, cheese and bacon)

* deep-fried "caviar" (made of black-eyed peas)

* deep-fried lemonade

* deep-fried Frito chili pie

* deep-fried chocolate (a white chocolate candy bar wrapped in a brownie and dipped in chocolate cake batter)

Gooding said she didn't know how many calories the individual items had. I would venture to guess though that none of the items would be appropriate for inclusion in a diet plan.

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UPDATE (2/7/10) -- The winners have been announced:

Best Taste Award -- deep-fried Frito chili pie

Most Creative Award -- deep-fried beer

New State Fair Treat

I can see I'm going to have to stay away from the State Fair of Texas this year. I've never been able to turn down food, especially something deep-fried. Just ask my doctor -- most of my check-ups are dedicated to discussing my eating habits, and I know she wouldn't approve of the new treats being offered at the fair this year.

I have a love affair with bacon, and a state fair vendor Glen Kusak has discovered a way to make it even unhealthier (and probably tastier) than it already is. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram describes this treat as "thick, peppery bacon that is seasoned, double-dipped in batter, breaded, then deep-fried. It is served with ranch or honey-mustard sauce."

I know I'd never be able to turn that down, or even stop with eating only a reasonable portion. And I'm sure I'd have to top it off by eating some other deep-fried treat (ice cream, candy bar, etc.), so I guess I'd better stay at home this year.

I actually like my doctor, and I'd hate to give her a heart attack when she reads my lab results at my next check-up.