|
Printed From North Texas e-News == ntxe-news.com Front Page A few Sunday afternoons ago, I was in my Her show’s party theme that episode was “Everything’s Better with Butter.” Paula introduced the last segment of this show by talking about how everyone related her to butter. She talked about how throughout her cooking career, she had always told everyone she could do anything with butter but fry it. Then, she proceeded to introduce a viewer turned guest who had sent Paula her recipe for Fried Butter. I didn’t catch the viewer’s name and I couldn’t find it on the Food Network website. Imagine my surprise when the recipe appeared to be similar to the one I had seen Abel Gonzales, Jr. demonstrate on the Fox Network’s Fox & Friends show one morning promoting the 2009 State Fair of Texas. Mr. Gonzales won the “Most Creative” award in the competition among all the food vendors for the new fried foods at this year’s State Fair. Abel Gonzales, Jr. is also renowned for his “Fried Coke” and “Fried Peanut Butter & Jelly” creations at the State Fair. This episode of “Paula’s Party” was originally telecast with her viewer’s fried butter recipe on Oct. 20, 2006. The first reader’s review on the Food Network website was posted Oct. 21, 2006. I read through all 43 readers’ reviews of the Fried Butter recipe. I wasn’t surprised at the number of negative comments about the recipe. However, I was surprised at the negative comments about the South and Southerners, in particular. Many of the reviewers admitted never having even made or tried the recipe. I was also surprised that Food Network gave this recipe a 3-Star rating. To make a comment or review a recipe, a rating must be given. Fried Butter Balls had been given 13 5-Star ratings and 22 1-Star ratings. The remaining 8 comments were in the 2, 3, & 4-Star ratings. It looked to me that this recipe should have received an overall 2-Star rating. You wouldn’t guess that there was even one negative comment about this dish as I witnessed tremendous lines snaking from Mr. Gonzales’ food booth at the State Fair every day. Mr. Gonzalez was able to kick up his version to earn that coveted “Most Creative” award this year. His serving consisted of three fried butter balls per order. Even Oprah and Gayle King had to have some during their visit to the State Fair of Texas. Paula’s Fried Butter Balls Recipe from Paula’s Party “Everything’s Better with Butter” on Food Network www.foodnetwork.com Recipe submitted from a viewer to Paula Deen and cooked on Paula’s Party, October 20, 2006 Makes about 30 balls Ingredients 2 sticks unsalted butter 2 oz cream cheese Salt and pepper 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 egg, beaten 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs Peanut oil for frying Directions Cream the butter, cream cheese, salt and pepper together with an electric mixer until smooth. Using a very small ice cream scoop, or melon baller, form 1-inch balls of butter mixture and arrange them on a parchment or waxed paper lined sheet pan. Freeze until solid. Coat the frozen balls in flour, egg, and then bread crumbs and freeze again until solid. When ready to fry, preheat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F. Fry balls for 10 to 15 seconds until just light golden. Drain on paper towels before serving. With the holiday season bearing down upon us, Kathryn’s Texas Kitchen will share an updated version of a classic holiday casserole. Until next time… Bon appétit! © Copyright 2002-2005 by North Texas e-News, llc. |
