In praise of corn dogs

[Ryan M]

Yesterday I had the chance to go to the Indiana State Fair as part of the group representing the Astronomy department for the Fair's "IU Day." One of my greatest guilty pleasures if fresh dipped, fresh fried corn dogs. And there I discovered that they had them in regular and foot-long varieties. So, I got my foot-long corn dog, and lordy, lordy (as Rogov would say), what a glorious thing that was. Highlight of my week. Been dreaming of it since. Yum!!!!!

So, who else shares my guilty love of corn dogs?

[Larry Greenly]

I made hundreds, if not thousands, of hand-dipped corndogs at various state fairs (when I worked for my uncle). We made really good ones that were never pre-manufactured and frozen, and we got many compliments. That said, I've eaten maybe two during my fair experience (I'm not a carny; I'm a fairy). I don't particularly like them, but--hey--different strokes.

My friend likes them so I made a "special" one for him once for a joke: a quadruple-dipped and fried corn dog that must have weighed two pounds. Needless to say, he didn't try it.

[Robin Garr]

So, who else shares my guilty love of corn dogs?

I always have to get one every year at the fair, and the Kentucky State Fair is coming up later this month. Hey, maybe I'll have TWO!

[ChefJCarey]

A good corn dog is a good thing.

[Daniel Rogov]

So long as it starts with a good hot dog, I love them. .....And not the least bit of guilt to accompany them.

Best
Rogov

[Matilda L]

So what's a corn dog? I am imagining a hot dog sausage covered in corn kernels. Is that it?

Matilda

[Daniel Rogov]

Matilda, Hi.....

A corndog is made by impaling a hot dog on a wood skewer, coating the dog (can also use knockwurst) in the same kind of batter used to make cornbread and then deep frying it in hot oil. The pleasure of the corndog is, of course, based on the quality of the hot dog (ideally all veal or beef or a combination of beef and pork) and the freshness of the deep oil being used. With corndogs or, for that matter, any kind of hot dog, those made with chicken or turkey meat are to be scorned.

Best
Rogov

corndog.jpg (52.4 KiB) Viewed 1388 times

[ChefJCarey]

Now there's a handsome corndog.

[Charlie Dawg]

Would somebody Please post a recipe for the corn dog. If posible it should not have Milk or any dairy in it. I'll surprise my wife, she loves them.

[Daniel Rogov]

Charlie, Hi....

We're running into one of those famous kashrut problems here and that because the batter for cornbread and thus for making corndogs relies on either milk or buttermilk. If a substitute must be used I would suggest avoiding Rich and trying soya milk. My guess is that the deep frying will somewhat reduce the flavor differences. At least I would hope so…..

Best
Rogov

1 cup milk or buttermilk (for kashrut see note above)
2 eggs
1/4 cup peanut oil
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/3 cups cornmeal (coarse corn flour)
2/3 cup all purpose flour
about 1 dozen hot dogs (ideally all beef or beef and veal)
1/2 cup flower for dusting the hot dogs
oil for deep frying (pre-heated to0 375 degrees Fahrenheit)

In a large mixing bowl combine the milk, eggs, oil and sugar, mixing until the mixture is completely smooth. Sprinkle in the baking powder, corn meal and flour and stir well making a moderately thick batter.

Remove the hot dogs from their wrapper and dry each well on paper toweling. Dust the hot dogs with flour, coating well and then insert individual wood skewers lengthwise through each hot dog. Let the hot dogs rest for about 15 minutes and then holding by the skewer dip them one at a time into the batter, swirling until nicely coated. Let the excess batter drip off and then gently drop the dogs into the batter while holding on to the skewer, taking care not to burn your fingers. Once immersed release the skewer and fry, turning once or twice just until the batter is nicely puffed up and lightly browned. Let the excess oil drip off onto paper toweling and serve hot with whatever condiments you have chosen.

[Robert J.]

Of course, they were first made at the State Fair of TEXAS. The Frito Pie (there were no beans in the original version) was first made at the State Fair of Texas, too.

I love corn dogs.

rwj

[Charlie Dawg]

Thank you Rogov. I have been using non-dairy coffee creamer insted of milk. It's working fine for baking and deep frying. At least at has been so far. Will try on the dogs.

[Ron C]

Mmmm... corn dogs and mustard!