Butter-Loaded Fair Delights | Food Column

The Unique Tradition of the Butter Cow at the Iowa State Fair

Every year, the Iowa State Fair becomes a hub of excitement with its unique attractions. One of the most intriguing is the Butter Cow, an annual sculpture made entirely from butter. This tradition has been around since 1911 and has evolved over the years to include not just cows but also other famous figures and cultural icons.

The first Butter Cow was crafted by a group of dairy artists who took on the challenge of creating a large-scale butter sculpture. Since then, the fair has allowed these artists to draw inspiration from various sources beyond just cows. From country music stars like Garth Brooks to iconic characters such as Harry Potter and even the famous painting "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, the Butter Cow has become a canvas for celebrating pop culture and local heroes.

This year, the fair is honoring the classic Pixar film "Toy Story," which adds a fun twist to the traditional butter display. The concept of using butter to create art is both creative and delicious, capturing the imagination of visitors and highlighting the versatility of this common ingredient.

A Rich History of Butter

Butter has a long and fascinating history that dates back to ancient times. According to the Culinary Institute of America, the earliest known use of butter can be traced to nomadic peoples in Algeria. These early people would carry camel's milk in waterproof bladders, and as they traveled, the constant movement would churn the milk into butter. This method of churning milk into butter was both practical and innovative for their time.

During the Middle Ages, butter was considered a food of the lower classes, while the upper classes preferred other foods. It was also prohibited during Lent, but Catholics could bypass this restriction by paying a fine to the church. This practice highlights how deeply butter was embedded in the cultural and religious practices of the time.

In the mid-19th century, scientists developed a substitute for butter called margarine, which had a longer shelf life. However, butter producers fought to maintain their market share, leading to laws that restricted the coloring of margarine. Despite these challenges, butter eventually regained its popularity, and in 2005, butter sales surpassed those of margarine for the first time since 1957.

The Role of Butter in Cooking

Beyond its historical significance, butter plays a crucial role in cooking. It adds flavor, texture, and richness to many dishes. There are several types of butter, each with its own characteristics:

• Butterfat: Most butter in the U.S. contains 80% butterfat, while European-style butter has 86%, giving it a richer taste.
• Salted vs. Unsalted: Salted butter is often used for its extended shelf life, while unsalted butter is preferred in recipes where precise control over salt is needed.
• Brown Butter: This is butter that has been heated until the milk solids turn brown, adding a nutty flavor to dishes.

Recipes Featuring Butter

Butter is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are a few simple yet delicious options:

Butter Swim Biscuits

These biscuits are baked in a pool of melted butter, allowing them to absorb the rich flavor as they cool. The recipe is easy to follow and can be ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients: - 2 ½ cups flour - 4 teaspoons baking powder - 4 teaspoons sugar - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 ¾ cups buttermilk - ½ cup (1 stick) butter

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. 2. Mix all ingredients except butter. 3. Melt the butter and pour it into an 8x8-inch pan. 4. Spread the dough over the butter and bake for 20-25 minutes. 5. Let cool before serving.

Butter-Dunked Muffins

These muffins are a delightful breakfast treat, combining the richness of butter with a sweet cinnamon-sugar topping.

Ingredients: - For the muffins: - 2 cups flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - ¾ teaspoon salt - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon nutmeg - 2/3 cup white sugar - 2/3 cup butter - 2 eggs - 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract - 1/3 cup milk - 2 ½ tablespoons buttermilk

• For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping:
• 6 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. Combine dry ingredients and mix with wet ingredients. 3. Bake for 18-20 minutes and let cool. 4. Dip each muffin in melted butter and roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Brown Butter Rice Krispie Bars

These bars are a favorite for their nutty flavor, which comes from the browned butter.

Ingredients: - 2 sticks butter - 2 (10-oz) bags of mini marshmallows - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon kosher salt - 9 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions: 1. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. 2. Melt the butter and swirl until it turns brown. 3. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. 4. Mix in vanilla, salt, and Rice Krispies. 5. Press into the pan and slice into bars.