Scotcheroo Milk Shake

It has become tradition in our house to make something special to celebrate the first day of school. This year, I decided to recreate the Scotcheroo Milk Shake that we had earlier this month at the Iowa State Fair. The shake is rich, creamy, and full of that delicious combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and butterscotch. It was the perfect way to top off the first day of school for our whole family!

A look at the Presidential Candidate's Favorite Iowa State Fair Food - the Pork Chop on a Stick

If you've been listening to the news over the last week you've probably noticed that every Presidential Candidate has had to get their hands on a Pork Chop on a Stick while attending the Iowa State Fair.  This is really no surprise to me.  The Pork Chop on a Stick is easy to eat (with no awkward photo opportunity - i.e. corn dogs), is a classic "stick" fair food, is one of the healthiest foods on the fairgrounds, showcases Iowa's #1 pork production in the country and it is delicious!

The Upper Chop Shop located
east of the Pork Tent
(The Lower Chop Shop is located across
the road from the Livestock Pavilion)

The Pork Chop on a Stick can be found at the Iowa Pork Producer Association's Chop Shops at the Iowa State Fair.  What is really neat is that the chops are cooked and served by pork producer volunteers from across the state.  My Farmer and I have been volunteering at the Chop Shops for the last 9 years we decided last weekend when we were volunteering at our shift this year.

This Iowa State Fair patron is all smiles
as she receives a Pork Chop on a Stick

So you might be asking, what is the Pork Chop on a Stick?  To simply put it, the Pork Chop on a Stick is a French Cut Pork Chop.  This pork chop is cut from the center of the pork loin and leaves the bone in, creating a stick to hold on to for eating on the go, or actually gives it an elegant look if served on a plate.  One question that I get every year serving Pork Chops on a Stick is, "where's the stick?".  It is the bone!  No additional wooden stick needed for this Iowa State Fair food staple.

The Iowa Pork Producers serve around 5,000-6,000 Pork Chops on a Stick daily at the Iowa State Fair.  The chops are put on long racks, that are then inserted into a rotisserie grill.  They cook for about an hour, or til they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Top Left: My Farmer and our friend Mike getting chops ready to go in the grill
Bottom Left: Pork Chops on a Stick cooking on the rotisserie grill
Right: My Farmer taking Pork Chops on a Stick off the grill and into serving pans

Our friend Mike graciously let me use one of his
photos from his phone when Donald Trump stopped by
for his Chop on a Stick the day of our volunteer shift

Looking at these photos I'm getting hungry for a Pork Chop on a Stick!  It is no wonder that everyone comes by for one, including Donald Trump ;)  If you are headed to the Iowa State Fair be sure to get a Pork Chop on a Stick and check out my top Fair Food guide too (that includes the Pork Chop on a Stick).  And if you aren't able to make it to the fair, but are still hungry for a pork chop, check out this infographic on how to cook pork chops four different ways.

Our friend Mike, myself and My Farmer
during our Chop Shop volunteer shift

The Pork Tent is always a highlight for our family and friends every year, and this year it is turning out to be the place to go if you're running for President.  What are some of your favorite spots to visit at the Iowa State Fair?  What is your favorite Fair Food?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Iowa State Fair Food Guide

The Iowa State Fair is in one week and I can't wait!  I have enjoyed going to the Iowa State Fair since I was a kid, and really fell in love when I was in high school after I started working for the 4-H livestock department.  For many years I have literally lived at the fair for all ten days.  This year will be different though, with MP only being two months old and with everything going on with the house and hopefully the soon to be move, I will not be volunteering or working anywhere and we don't even have a date set yet to visit (but don't worry, we'll make it at least for one day).

One aspect of any fair that I think everyone loves is fair food!  Lets just say I've been around the block, or should I say up and down Grand and Rock Island Avenues, a time or two, and have tried many fair foods on the state fairgrounds.  Through my years of living at the State Fair I have came up with a must-eat fair food list that I'd like to share with all of you.  It was really easy to make it through my list when I was there for ten days but will be challenging (not to mention gut wrenching) to accomplish in one day...

• Pork Chop on a Stick (Iowa Pork Chop Shop)
• Chocolate Milk Shake (Dairy Barn)
• Turkey Tenderloin Sandwich (Iowa Turkey Grill)
• Mark & Gary Burger (Iowa Cattlemen's Beef Quarters) - and I'm looking forward to trying a new menu item of their's - Deep Fried Bull Fries - that's right people, you can get Rocky Mountain Oysters at this year's fair!
• Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich Meal - includes baked beans and chips (Iowa Pork Tent)
• Lamb Burger (Iowa Sheep Industry trailer)
• Fried Pickle Dawg (Dawg House)
• Cheese Curds (Brad & Harry's) - and new this year they have a Cajun flavored cheese curd that I'll have to try
• Cookies in a Cup (Barksdale)
• Fried Vegetables - Cauliflower, Pickles, Jalapeno Poppers, etc. (Veggie-Table)
• Pork Tenderloin Sandwich (Xtreme Tenderloins)
• Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich (The Best Around)
• Gyro (Greek Garden)
• Strawberry Shortcake (Iowa Fruit and Veggie Stand)

Ok, wow, after looking over this list I realize that this is in no way possible in one or two days!  Can you tell I use to be at the fair for all ten days?!?  I realize now that I need to share a must eat one day list.  So, drumroll please...

• Pork Chop on a Stick (Main Meal)
• Fried Pickle Dawg (Snack)
• Chocolate Milk Shake (Dairy Barn)
• Deep Fried Bull Fries (New Food)

Did you know that at the 2012 Iowa State Fair the Iowa Pork Producer's
sold more than 60,000 Chops on a Stick!
Here is a photo of My Farmer (on the left) and two of our friends
working at the Chop Shop last year

What are you hungry for?  What is your favorite fair food?  Have fun at the fair - after all "Nothing Compares"!

Wordless Wednesday - Iowa State Fair

I love fair season and was happy to travel to the Iowa State Fair this past weekend.  Here are a couple photos from our time at the fair!

New Fair Food - Fried Pickle Dawg (pickle, covered with cream cheese and rolled up in ham, fried)

Good ol' Favorite Fair Food - Cookies in a Cup

LP at Little Hands on the Farm

LP as a Turkey Farmer at the Animal Learning Center
This is our friend Bart's photo that was turned into a photo board at this year's fair

We love volunteering at the Iowa Pork Tent every year
Here My Farmer and our friend's Brian and Mike get some Iowa chops ready to grill

We had a great time at the Iowa State Fair - it wore us all out!