My husband surround in an intoxicating aroma of fresh funnel cake is always the start to a good night. My husband loves funnel cakes. Combine this with his favorite fruit and he is just about lost it! I know, I know what your thinking we’re from Texas. We have ample opportunities to devour funnels cakes with some many Texas festivals we trek to. But take a step back and imagine fresh.pineapple.dipped.in.funnel.batter.at.home. Yeah it’s just that cool!
My husband became an instant Matt Armendariz fan that evening, which made my heart flutter. You see he’s kinda my blog crush. Yes, admit it everyone has a bog crush. I openly admit to a few mini blog crushes, but full blown BLOG LOVE, only Matt.
Matt a fellow Texan has had my heart since first stumbling upon his blog. In a time where blogging was a midnight pleasure from the stress of school. His attitude toward food, life, love and his heritage is felt through each page. Here is one of my favorite excerpts from his blog.
Being Mexican-American and growing up in Texas you could count on rice and beans with almost every meal. I make light of my upbringing but it’s far from satirical – there were literally rice and beans with every meal. This worked great if enchiladas were on the menu, maybe not so swell when we ventured into other cuisines. Hamburgers and Rice and Beans didn’t make me very happy, neither did Salmon Patties and Rice and Beans, Spaghetti with Rice and Beans or Pot Roast with Rice And Beans. It took me many years to understand that rice and beans were an inexpensive way to extend a meal and that it was an extremely nutritious way to feed a group of people. It also took me many years to get past my disdain of mixing Mexican-with-something-not-quite-matching.
Perhaps if you had served me a Korean Taco in Elementary School I might have gotten this over much earlier. Such is life.
My, how things change. These days I’m happy making a meal out of a big bowl of beans, some pico de gallo and a good corn tortillas (make that about 5). There is satisfaction in its simplicity.
from Matt Bites on Cowboy Beans
So would I recommend this book? Hell yeah everything, I mean everything taste better on a stick. Add the bonus pleasure of Matt’s words, his fabulous picture and his divine eats and well you have a killer book!
Thank you to Quirk Books for sending me a cop of Matt’s book to review.
Thank you Matt for inspiring me each day with your words.
Te quiero, te adoro y te mando besos…muchos muchos besos!
Pineapple Funnels
4 wooden sticks
1 1/2 quart vegetable oil
~~~~~~~~~~
funnel cake batter
1 1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
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1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 4 sticks 4inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide
powdered sugar, optional
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Preheat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
2. Make the batter: beat milk and eggs in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, sift flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add milk mixture to dry mixture, whisking until fully incorporated and no lumps remain.
3. Pierce the bottom of each pineapple piece with a stick. Pat pineapple dry with paper towels.
4. Once oil reaches 350°F, dip pineapple sticks in batter, carefully place in pot (work in batches, if necessary), and fry 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired, and serve hot.
*quick note- there will be batter left over, simply pour into a plastic bag or piping bag. Over hot oil, pipe swirls into a circle shape for small funnel cakes. dust with powdered sugar* I would hate for anything to go to waste, especially if it’s funnel batter, Enjoy!
A few recipes featured in this book:
Chinese Five-Spice Skewers
Corn Dogs
Molotes with fresh tomato Salsa
Yakitori
Stuffed Olives
S’mores
Margarita Jello Shots
Deep fried candy bars
Fruit Salad Skewers
oh my goodness I hope this is the next fried food to show up at the State Fair this year. Pineapple is my favorite!
This looks so delicious, love the addition of pineapple.
Love funnel cake. Love pineapple. What could be better than putting the 2 together?!! 🙂
Wow! I will have to check out this book. This recipe is pure sin. I wish I could just drop-by to give these a try! 😉
I adore his book!! So many amazing recipes to try out. Your photos are GREAT as always!!! YUM!
This is too much, funnel cake at home? Sounds absolutely delicious, but very, very dangerous.
You’ve sold me on Matt’s blog too, gonna see what I can do with some black beans…
So fun to read your review. I’m posting mine tomorrow. I’m sure I’d love the pineapple funnels too.
this is most definitely the recipe i would’ve picked to make–fun and delicious!
Wow, I don’t even have to venture to a festival to have funnel cake fun now. Love these crispy, fruity skewers. Totally irresistible.
I think I just died and went to heaven – YUM!!!
Sigh. When I lived in Dallas I used to go to the Texas State Fair and eat EVERYTHING on a stick. I miss it so much! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe so I can have a little Texas-yummy here in Cayman 🙂
now that is something i can see myself scarfing down after a good day at the lake. How much fun and summer and fruity and delish! Fantastic idea, only wish I would have thought of it. Can you just make them for me and send them my way?
Bonnie, what an awesome idea! Pulling out the dusty deep fryer for this one. 🙂
oh what a fun post and a new blog to enjoy
What a fabulous treat!!:) It really looks very unique and flavorful;)
I am also a funnel cake fan so this is a definite on my list!
well, if bananas work, guess pineapple would be better… and I do like the sound of this book, the molotes (chorizo maybe???) caught my eye as I have a couple of pounds of chorizo I just got for this weekend grilling…. already made a chalupa post out of a few….
I have come across his work many times and really do like his style, his honest approach to foodstuff is needed in today’s ‘marketing’ world……
Oh yes! I want and then I want more…I will have to check out his site and take a peek at the book 🙂
But I thought I was you blog crush to be honest, lol 🙂
Hope your having a great week…big hugs!
These look so delicious! 😮 Thankyou for the recipe, I’ve never tried anything quite like it! 😀
Fried sugary treats on a stick? YES!!!
*kisses* HH
There are no words to describe how AWESOME those are!!!! I need to fire those up immediately!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What’s For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
I’ve never heard of this before, but I would so much love to try it! Sounds wonderful! 🙂
What a wonderful way to have some fruit – love the combination of fresh and fried!
Those are awesome! I can’t wait to receive my copy of Matt’s book.
Cheers,
Rosa