Growing up on the east coast, and specifically in Connecticut, there were a handful of foods that when I now described to people seem very very strange. I love birch beer, for example, but when I moved to Michigan I realized this wasn’t a nation-wide thing. Neither was good pizza, Italian bakeries in every town, sandwiches on really good bread, Jax (oh how I love Jax!), and really good pretzel rods. The list goes on and on (don’t get me started on Dunkin Donuts) but recently, I found myself alone lamenting over the lack of fried dough, as August reminds me of church fair season, which to me is the best time of the year.
To me, fried dough is basically like a pizza – it is savory, with sauce and topped with parmesan cheese. When I moved to Michigan, the Chelsea Fair had elephant ears, but there was no savory toppings to be had. But upon bringing up my childhood of Fried Dough Fridays in the school cafeteria in my elementary days, even my fellow New Englanders in Los Angeles were confused.
I did a quick Internet search to affirm my childhood lunch choices, but there weren’t really that many instances of this delicious (albeit not quite healthy) food choice – so I naturally realized that I must make it immediately for everyone to try at home.
Luckily, King Arthur Flour yet again had an amazing recipe for us, so we followed this to a tee and then we slathered the top with red sauce and a healthy amount of parmesan cheese.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of eating fried dough this way, I suggest you head to the kitchen right now and get started. If you DID eat this growing up (or now, even!) comment please and reaffirm I am not crazy and did not make this one up!
Happy Fair season, everyone!
[addtoany] Yum