State Fair Funnel Cake Burger / #BurgerMonth 2020

State Fair Funnel Cake Burger / #BurgerMonth 2020

Ingredients

  • 2 fried funnel cakes for "buns", (made from a mix)
  • lettuce leaf or finely shredded bed
  • tomato slices 
  • 1/4 - 1/2 lb. burger, grilled to your liking
  • 1 cooked corn dog, stick removed and sliced on the bias
  • chili (*recipe follows)
  • cheddar nacho cheese sauce with green chilies, (*recipe follows)
  • fried bell pepper rings, (*recipe follows) 
  • funnel cake for top bun
  • cheddar cheese powder (instead of powdered sugar)
  • (oil for frying)

For Chili:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 cup V8 Spicy Hot Tomato/Vegetable Juice
  • 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste, I prefer Hunt's
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp. Better Than Bouillon Beef Base
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbl. quality chili powder
  • 1 Tbl. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. sweet smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp. spicy brown mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. fine garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. smoked salt, (I just order mine online), can sub regular salt
  • 1/4 tsp. regular table salt
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cajun seasoning such as Slap Ya Mama

For Cheddar Nacho Cheese Sauce: 

  • 1 cup jarred Cheez Whiz
  • 1 small can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chilies
  • (*a little milk or cream if you like it thinner)

For Bell Pepper Rings:

  • 1 small bell pepper, any color, sliced
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

    Make the Chili First (*A day ahead is a good thing!*): In large frying pan, cook the ground beef until done, chopping the meat until fairly fine while cooking. Drain grease. Add rest of ingredients, stir well, bring to a simmer, and simmer, stirring almost constantly, for about 10 minutes. Longer if you want it thicker. Cover and set aside. 

    Mix up both batters, funnel cake (*according to manufacturers directions) and beer batter, (in separate bowls), pour funnel cake batter into pitcher, set both aside.

    In small to medium bowl, add Cheez Whiz and green chilies. Stir. Cover, and heat when ready. Prep any burger toppings you'd like such as lettuce, tomato, onion, etc. And slice green bell pepper into thin rings. 

    Grill your burger(s), tent to keep warm.

    Heat oil, and make funnel cakes according to the manufacturer's directions. (*Takes only about 45 seconds.) Sprinkle with cheddar cheese powder using a mesh strainer. 

    Dip pepper rings into beer batter and fry until golden. (*About 2 minutes.) 

    While cakes and pepper rings are cooling a little, heat nacho cheese sauce and chili in the microwave, and burger also if need be. Microwave a corn dog, and slice. (*Mine only took 45 seconds.)

    To Assemble: On a plate, place one cheese-powdered funnel cake, topped with lettuce, tomato, a burger, corn dog slices, spoonfuls of chili, a ladle (or 2!) of nacho cheese sauce, a fried bell pepper ring, and another funnel cake. Sprinkle more cheddar cheese powder on top, and you've got yourself the entire State Fair in one glorious burger!! Dig in and ENJOY!!!