January 31, 2006

The mind boggles.

I don't mean for popplers to turn into a food blog, but I have to make people aware of the existence of SPAM-tastic Sunnydogs: a "breakfast corn dog, made with chunks of SPAM that have been dipped in an apple-cinnamon pancake batter."

[…] outgoing and energetic [Cynthia] Coombs, a fifth-grader at Herriman Elementary, headed to the kitchen and found she really jammed with SPAM.

Her ultimate creation - a breakfast dish she dubbed "SPAM-tastic Sunnydogs" - recently earned her the title of SPAM's "National Kid Chef of the Year."

Coombs said in September, before winning the Utah State Fair contest that propelled her to the national competition, she spent an entire day experimenting in the kitchen with her father, Nathan - a longtime SPAM lover. […]

For posterity, here is Cynthia's prize-winning recipe. (If you actually make this, please take photos and email me.)

SPAM-tastic Sunnydogs

1 (12-ounce) can SPAM classic
1 1/2 cups complete buttermilk pancake mix (such as Bisquick)
2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup water
Vegetable oil or light olive oil
18 short kabob sticks, Popsicle sticks or toothpicks
Honey, maple syrup and applesauce, for dipping

  1. Cut SPAM width-wise into 6 (1/2-inch) pieces. Cut each section into thirds. In a bowl, combine pancake mix, eggs, applesauce, vanilla and cinnamon. Slowly add water and stir until combined. (The batter should be fairly thick.)
  2. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Using a fork, dip SPAM pieces into batter, coating evenly. Let any excess batter drip off before placing into skillet. Cook for several minutes on one side until golden brown. Turn and cook on second side until golden and batter is cooked through. Repeat with remaining pieces.
  3. Remove from skillet and insert a kabob or Popsicle stick into one end. Serve with honey, maple syrup or applesauce as a dip. (Use any excess pancake batter to make small pancakes to serve alongside sunnydogs.)

Makes 18 pieces.

Posted by rv at January 31, 2006 01:01 PM to food
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