Happy Tuesday from chilly Michigan!
Michael and I are headed to Adrian, MI to play a show tonight. I've been feeling a little drained today and I thought we all might could use some Tuesday inspiration.
So you've come face to face with the realization that you're already exhausted and Friday is so far away (sigh). Here's a little something easy and fun for you to look forward to this week.
It always energizes me to get creative in the kitchen, this will be a good excuse to have some friends over and plan a themed movie night or play board games while you munch on warm homemade corn dogs. Or if you want to go all out, you could always plan a whole carnival themed date night…just saying...
Happy cooking!
HOMEMADE CORN DOGS
(makes about 20 minis)
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup corn meal
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs honey
You'll also need...
corn starch for dredging
10 hot dogs, cut in half
20 wooden sticks (chopsticks, skewers, or lollipop sticks)
candy thermometer
Mix the cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, sugar, salt, pepper and honey together until blended well. Pour into a tall cup for dipping
Cut the hot dogs in half, and insert the wooden sticks
Heat oil in a cast iron skillet or a fryer to 375 degrees
Cover one of the mini corn dogs in corn starch, then dip it in the mixture
Drop the whole thing into the oil and let cook for about 3 minutes, or until it reaches the color and consistency that you like
Fry up to 4 at a time, depending on the capacity of your fryer. The more you put in there, the harder it will be to maintain the proper temperature
Cool on a plate with a paper towel to absorb the oil for at least 3 minutes before serving
Date Night Idea /
One of my favorite scenes from the Notebook is Noah and Allie's date to the fair. It would be a romantic movie night to cook dinner together with fair-themed food (think corn dogs, funnel cakes, caramel apples or ice cream cones…you've got lots of unhealthy options here so go big or go home). Then move all of the furniture in your living room to make space for an air mattress picnic and watch The Notebook together with your carnival feast. Don't forget candles and tissues.
Just before I sat down to share this recipe I was reminding myself that every single day I have the option to make my life joyful, or to let everyday stress seep in and dull the things that could've been great. So I'm going to smile more today, and remember why The Notebook is such an incredible movie, and enjoy the people in my life, and plan ahead to make some corn dogs.
I hope you do too!
