Texan Twist: State Fair’s Food Innovations
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For over a decade, the State Fair of Texas has been a hub of innovation in the culinary world. The Big Tex Choice Awards, which began in 2005, provides an opportunity for concessionaires to showcase their most creative and delectable fried foods (What wine goes well with fried foods?).
Each year, the competition is fierce, with new and unique creations vying for a coveted spot in the finals. From Fried Beer to Fried Peaches and Cream, the State Fair has seen it all.
With a passion for excess and flavor, this year's lineup is sure to impress even the pickiest eaters. Don't miss out on the chance to taste the winning creations that are sure to satisfy any appetite at this year's fair.
2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Winners
The 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Winners have been announced, igniting excitement and anticipation across the state of Texas. As one of the biggest food events in the Lone Star State, the Big Tex Choice Awards showcase some of the most innovative, creative, and delicious foods in the world.
With categories ranging from Best Savory to Best Sweet, entrants in this prestigious competition bring their A-game every year, hoping to be crowned victors and take home the coveted trophy. With mouth-watering and unique dishes, this year's winners have truly set the bar to new heights. Fans of the competition are now counting down the days until they can try these culinary wonders for themselves.
Deep Fried Pho
Winner: “Best Taste - Savory”
The winners of the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards have been announced, and this year's "Best Taste - Savory" award went to Michelle Le's Deep Fried Pho. Le's innovative take on traditional pho involves rolling it up into a wrap and dipping it into a deep fryer.
The delicious dish consists of noodles, sliced beef, bean sprouts, and a simmered pho broth, and is served with sides of pho broth for dipping, hoisin sauce (how long does hoisin sauce last?), and sriracha. It's not hard to see why this dish is at the top of the must-try list, with its unique blend of flavors and crispy texture.
If you're a fan of pho and looking to try something new, Deep Fried Pho is the perfect dish for you.
Biscoff® Delight
Winner: “Best Taste - Sweet”
The 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards have revealed their latest winners, and among them is the Biscoff® Delight.
Created by Stephen El Gidi, this dessert features a New York-style cheesecake dipped in Belgian chocolate. But it's the outer layer that truly steals the show - a coating of crushed Biscoff® cookies that provides a heavenly crunch. Adding to the sweetness is a drizzle of Lotus Biscoff® spread, providing a caramelized note. And to top it off, a Biscoff® cookie rests perfectly atop the treat, beckoning all who see it to indulge in pure bliss.
For those looking for the perfect beverage to pair it with, the dish goes especially well with a Ziegenbock.
Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas
Winner: “Most Creative”
Among the winners was Cody and Lauren Hays' Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas, which took home the coveted "Most Creative" award.
The dish consisted of traditional sopapillas, coated in a delicious blend of vanilla-caramel-infused bananas and sweet bourbon syrup, and topped with candied pecans (how long do pecans last?), sweetened mascarpone cheese, crumbled Nilla Wafers, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar.
According to the judges, the flavors all came together perfectly and the dish was both creative and incredibly tasty. They recommended pairing it with a Ziegenbock beer to complete the experience.
2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists
The 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards winners have been announced, showcasing the best of the best in creative, indulgent fair food. However, the finalists who didn't quite make the cut are equally tantalizing, with dishes that push the limits of imagination and taste buds.
The finalists represent a diverse array of culinary experiments. While they may not have taken home the ultimate prize, their ingenuity and boldness are still celebrated by fair-goers and foodies alike.
The 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards finalists prove that even when it comes to comfort food, there's always room for innovation and surprise.
Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites
The Deep Fried Cheesy Crab Tater Bites by Isaac Rousso are a true delight for the taste buds. It all starts with a heavenly blend of minced crab meat, shredded potato, cheese, and spices that are then molded into perfect tater bites.
Once they are fried, they turn into a golden brown color that smells irresistible as the flavors come together. As these delicious bites are cooking, a cheese-based Cajun sauce is simultaneously prepared with onions, bell peppers, celery (how long does celery last?), and other secret spices. The sauce is further enhanced with crawfish, making sure that each bite of the tater bites is topped with this delicious Cajun gold.
To get the full experience, it is recommended to pair this dish with a refreshing beer like Karbach’s Love Street.
Loaded Fries Pizza
One of the most unique and mouth-watering contenders is the Loaded Fries Pizza (What wine goes well with pizza?) by Tom Grace. This pizza starts with a classic hand-tossed dough which is then generously covered with a house-made buttermilk ranch dressing. The chefs then layer on freshly shredded mozzarella before adding a pile of salted French fries. A smothering layer of cheddar cheese and crunchy chopped bacon is added for an extra burst of flavor.
The Loaded Fries Pizza is baked to perfection and topped with fresh chives for garnish. The result is a tangy, cheesy, and crunchy pizza that is sure to satisfy even the most finicky pizza fan. Tom Grace recommends pairing the pizza with Ziegenbock to enhance the flavors even further.
This is undoubtedly one of the most unique and creative pizzas out there, and a must-try for anyone looking to satisfy their pizza craving.
Ox'cellent Soul Roll
The Ox'cellent Soul Roll by Kerston & Shawn Thorns has caught the attention of food lovers everywhere.
A classic Southern staple with a twist, this savory beef oxtail dish is slow cooked, rendering it tender and full of flavor. Paired with potatoes, smoked gouda, and mozzarella, along with a mix of celery, bell peppers, and sweet onions, the mixture is then rolled into a light and crispy spring roll and deep fried to perfection.
Served with Southern-style hush puppies and a tasty garlic chili sauce, this dish pairs well with a cold Hopadillo IPA from Karbach brewery. Get ready to take a bite of this delicious fusion of flavors at the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards.
Turkey Ribs
Turkey Ribs by Abel Gonzales offers a unique take on the traditional holiday meal. The dish features a delicacy that is often overlooked - the turkey ribs. The ribs are fried to perfection and served with tasty sides such as homemade giblet gravy and stuffing seasoned fries. But the true secret of this dish is the special salsa recipe that tantalizes the tastebuds.
For those who prefer a bit of heat, they can opt for the Texas Style version, which includes jalapeños and BBQ sauce fries.
While this dish is sure to become a holiday staple, it is only available during the State Fair of Texas. So, be sure to stop by and try this mouth-watering creation, and wash it all down with a refreshing Karbach Love Street.
Fernie's Fried Cherry Pie in the Sky
Fernie's Fried Cherry Pie in the Sky, by Christi Erpillo and Johnna McKee, is the ultimate rendition of America's favorite pastry. The dessert is a perfect blend of flaky, buttery pastry dough, tender shortbread cookies, and juicy, tart sweet cherries (how long do cherries last?).
This heavenly creation is topped with a butter almond shortbread crumble, garnished with sugared dark sweet cherries, and paired with Blue Bell® vanilla ice cream drizzled with cherry preserves and whipped cream.
With all the taste of your favorite cherry cobbler and cherry pie, this dessert is one that cannot be missed at the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards.
Sweet Encanto
The Bednar brothers have concocted a delectable creation in their Sweet Encanto dish, a finalist for the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards. This dessert offers a medley of Latin American flavors and textures that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
The base is a round waffle that is drizzled with caramel dulce de leche and topped with a specialty cream that includes slices of strawberry, kiwi, peach, and shredded coconut (how long does shredded coconut last?). But that's not all - the dish is then adorned with raspberry jam and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk, creating a truly heavenly experience.
To complete the experience, indulge in Sweet Encanto alongside an ice-cold Karbach Cerveza Especial. Don't miss out on the chance to taste the magic!
Trail-Ade
The 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists include an incredibly refreshing and fruity option called Trail-Ade. This nonalcoholic cocktail blend is made up of a mixture of summer fruits, fresh mint, and crisp cucumbers all blended together with homemade lemonade, making it the perfect elixir for hot Texas days.
Trail-Ade is served in a souvenir cowboy boot cup and can be enjoyed anywhere, whether you're taking a break after a trail ride or walking around the State Fair of Texas fairgrounds.
This drink is best enjoyed while walking, just as Big Tex himself would say with a smile. So why not give the Trail-Ade a try? It’s boot sippin’ good and pairs exceptionally well with a Karbach Cerveza Especial.
Summary
As Texans, we appreciate our State Fair traditions, but when it comes to fair food, the only tradition is that there is no tradition. The never-ending creativity of the concessionaires keeps us coming back year after year for a truly unique experience. Let’s come together and show the rest of the world why Texans are so proud and passionate about our cuisine. Together we can build a future ripe with possibilities to explore, create and savor some delicious fried foods that promise to tantalize all your taste buds!
