Emily Richards' fun fair food recipes

Pulled pork and funnel cakes From CTV Kitchener: These aren’t your normal snack recipes, Emily Richards crafts carnival treats.

Pulled Pork Beer Funnel Cake Poutine

You can enjoy a taste of the fun summer and fall fairs right at home with a gourmet twist! Be sure to invite the neighbours over and enjoy the fun to be had by all.

1 pork loin roast (about 2 lb/1 kg)

2 cups of your favourite homemade or storebought barbecue sauce

2 bags (200 g each) cheese curds or 1 bag (320 g) shredded cheese

Beer Funnel Cake:

2 cups (500 mL) all purpose flour

2 tbsp (30 mL) granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking powder

1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

1 can (355 mL) honey brown beer

1/4 cup (60 mL) water

1 egg

2 to 3 cups (500 to 750 mL) canola oil

Place pork roast in slow cooker and pour over barbecue sauce. Add 1/2 cup (125 mL) water as well. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or on High for 4 hours. Remove pork to large bowl and pull or shred meat. Return to sauce and toss well and keep slow cooker on warm.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In another bowl, whisk together beer, water and egg. Gradually pour over flour mixture and whisk until smooth. (It should look like pancake batter.)

In a deep skillet heat oil to about 350 F (180 C). Hold a funnel with your finger covering the bottom and fill with batter. Let the batter flow through while moving it around in circular patterns to about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Fry for about 2 minutes or until golden. Turn over and cook until golden on the other side as well. Remove to paper towel lined plate. Repeat with remaining batter.

Top funnel cake with some pulled pork and cheese curds to serve.

Makes about 10 cakes.

Sweet Funnel Cake Variation: Dust with icing sugar and drizzle with your favourite jam that has been warmed up a bit for easy pouring to serve.

Pulled Pork Egg Roll: Place about 1/3 cup (75 mL) of the pulled pork meat (too much sauce will splatter in oil) in centre of egg roll wrapper, leaving a 1-inch (2.5 cm) edge all around. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top. Fold both sides over brushing edges with water to seal. Fry turning once until golden; let drain on paper towel lined plate before serving.

Donut Hamburger

Sweet and salty together for a fun treat! Look for soft fresh yeast donuts to make the best buns for the hamburger.

4 homemade or storebought burgers

2 tbsp (30 mL) smoky barbeuce sauce

8 plain glazed yeast donuts

4 lettuce leaves

4 slices tomato

4 cheese slices

Ketchup, mustard and onions (optional)

Place burgers over medium high grill and cook, turning once for about 12 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Brush both sides with barbecue sauce and remove to plate.

Place 4 donuts onto serving tray. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomato then burgers. Drizzle with ketchup, mustard and top with onions if using. Place remaining donuts on top and enjoy!

Makes 4 burgers.

Don’t forget to pick up other carnival/fair treats like candy apples, popcorn, beer nuts and cotton candy! Enjoy your day with favourite beverages and hop on all the rides with the kids.