Corn Dogs 250 Years Ago? - Time Travel Food! - 18th Century Cooking

In Time Travel Food, we go back in time and make modern favorites for historical figures. In this episode, Jon makes Corn Dogs for Samuel Adams. The struggle is making them with ingredients and tools/techniques that were available in the 1700’s. Thanks for watching 18th Century Cooking with Townsends!
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[@tricky2917]

I wonder if there will be videos on authentic microwave dinners, 200 years from now.

[@randy-9842]

Some of the old commercials are already "classics"!

[@divab1359]

lol

[@veramae4098]

When I bought my first microwave, from Penny's, it came with a class on how to use it. When something is brand new (I was born in 1952) anything new is a stretch.

[@amcalabrese1]

My son was working on his cooking merit badge and one requirement was to prepare meals using different cooking methods. One meal was cooked in the microwave (he also used grilling, roasting, frying and boiling)

[@genericalfishtycoon3853]

Yeah, sadly this era will be like a dark age if anything happens to the all server data everyone relies on. NSA data crystals might hold up anyways, maybe all that Orwellian spying will be a good thing one day for historical purposes.

[@CircleToonsHD]

I genuinely love your videos so much. In a world of quick-bite reaction content and clickbait garbage, this channel's content is like medicine for my brain. :)

[@blasttyrant3228]

Hey, funny seeing you here

[@Omabatfartsbruh]

shocker to see you as a normal commenter

[@frederickjimdejesus1234]

Hey that's cool

[@PunishedMushu]

I peed

[@Rizu-kc3ze]

I shat

[@suem6004]

Last weekend with extended power outages post derecho, I had to cook ‘18th century’ style over open fire. Used your red ware for batter. Thanks to your channel and the skills you teach, I could feed not only myself but neighbor family too. Thanks

[@CowboybubPercussion]

Comes to show that knowing how to cook the old ways is totally a survival skill, thanks so much for this comment

[@veramae4098]

Wow! Congratulations.

[@sadlife8495]

hey thats a really wholesome story, sometimes when the power goes out it can really bring us together to remind us what life used to be like. with my gas stove after the pour being out for 2 or 3 days my family made spaghetti, eating by candlelight it tasted pretty good!

[@SarahM-lw2gd]

​@sadlife8495 reasons like that, are why I beg for power outages. I just want to connect with people, and be close again like the old days.

[@misterhat5823]

I have an outdoor camp stove with two 30kBTU burners. It comes in handy even when the power isn't off. Searing meat in cast iron and deep frying is what I use mine for.

[@peternordhaus5590]

John is fighting his nutmeg dependency, I'm so proud of him!

[@adamallison2028]

Dependency? Where do you think he gets his edge??

[@TheCheat_1337]

I know this was a corn dog recipe but those onion rings looked (and sounded) incredible. Seriously doing a stall with 18th century versions of street food would go down so well at a fair, throw in the McMuffin recipe and the 18th century fried chicken you did a few years back and it'd sell like crazy

[@cearachonaill8149]

I’ve made the onion rings, they are absolutely fantastic. Try them with the 300 year old fried chicken he did.

[@falconwind00]

Ye Olde MacDonnel’s?

[@maurisodio9978]

It would go down as well as a steam punk booth, in other words you’d be asked to leave.

[@kevinenter1636]

@@maurisodio9978 I don't know where you live, but it sounds like a terribly boring place. Here, people would absolutely love both of those kinds of stands at a festival, unless it was a festival for a very specific theme.

[@ldc4]

Townsends are a pure comfort channel. It's so well made, relaxing and wholesome in every way

[@Nightshroud142]

Agreed 💯

[@Turian_Hustle]

For sure

[@dustinolsen4994]

❤

[@shadodragonette]

You are SO right! It's like medicine for the mind. None of my antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds work as well as Townsends!

[@306Outdoors]

I was literally just saying this to my wife like an hour ago. Showing her this channel and explains how watching these videos just relaxes me and calms my overactive anxious brain. It’s super interesting, well produced, educational, but at the same time something about it just chills me out and helps me sleep. Some good indica and Townsends and I’m just vegged.

[@gregorylee5469]

watching this channel over the last 5 years or so has completely changed my life. I was miserable at work, about to drop out of college, and struggling with drugs and alcohol. Now I'm a 3rd year park ranger and I love learning stuff every day. thank you.

[@will-o-the-wisp-witch]

You gotta adore how this man came up with the idea that what he would do with a time machine would be cooking the equivalent of America's current popular favorite foods for his heroes. (Edited for grammar)

[@Vaeldarg]

Surprised this kind of thing hasn't already existed as some "Iron Chef" type TV cooking show before. Challenging chefs' historical knowledge and restricting to use of period-accurate ingredients.

[@GinaAnderson254]

Gosh ..that looks very good. I'll bet for certain the onion rings and corn dogs are amazing.❤

[@F19HORNET123]

@@Vaeldarg this needs to be a show

[@seanheath4492]

Probably works out better than trying to take out a certain failed Austrian artist turned politician. That never seems to go the way they want it.

[@keevansixx4185]

i like that the history of the american corn dog involved a collaboration at one of the late 18oo's american centennial world's fairs where a sausage merchant who was not very successful at the fair, and a popular food vendor who ran out of their signature product and only had batter left got together in desparation and came up with the idea to roll the sausages in the batter and then cook them. the corn part in a corn dog'a story came much later when someone in the U.S. south figured out that wet cornmeal bread batter made a tasty coating dip substitute for the original world's fair savory pancake crepe batter recipe and the rest is history. the first american corn dog was, in essence, a savory pancake on a hot griddle roll wrapped (french crepe style) around a sausage on a stick. eventually efficiently was reached when they figured you you can save time and effort by "dippin' dogs" into wet loose batter and deep frying (yeah, there was an old corn dog franchise that ran under the name "Dippin' Dogs" in early 20th century food americana.) ironicaly, the series of World's Fairs also gave us the birth of the american hot dog on a bun, french waffles, cotton candy, and oddly enough...the beginnings of fast food.

[@SaviourV]

Kind of like how ice cream cones were "invented" through the collaboration of two completely different things?

[@johnzengerle7576]

Since it is for Sam Adams, you could have used a beer batter.

[@jcaesar19871]

Then it wouldn't be "corn"dog. lol

[@randybugger3006]

​@@jcaesar19871of course it would! You just replace the milk with beer

[@caesarsalad77]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@thistleroots5151]

For the theme that would work, but I think he was dancing with the existing recipes at that time. 🙂 not sure when beer batter became a ‘thing’. Google wasn’t especially helpful.

[@jcaesar19871]

@@thistleroots5151 Another thing to introduce with the time machine; beer battered shrimp.

[@MidnaOfficial]

just one dorito has more extreme nacho flavor than mister Adams would have in his entire life

[@dongatello6969]

A cool ranch dorito from the bottom of the bag that’s covered in powder would drive Washington insane

[@sukeywatson1281]

This is the first time I have eaten a corn dog in my 60+ years of life. I watched the video, got up and made them right away. I substituted oat flour for the regular wheat flour - works just fine. I added sage, onion, and garlic to the sausage. I think a little nutmeg in the corn crust would work well. I will try that next time.

[@DecayingReverie]

An amusing story I have involving corn dogs: My dad took my sister and I to the county fair we have every year. I live in North Carolina. We've got our share of rednecks down here and there was family where literally the whole family were rocking mullets and jean jackets. They were sat down at a table while the dad was getting food for everyone. The kids were yelling how they wanted chicken tenders. The mom turned to the child and yelled in the most steriotypical redneck accent you've ever heard, "Shut up, you're getting a corn dog." Ever since them, we've used that at sort of family meme when trying to decide on what to eat.

[@NotMyWar]

Jon, you are a national treasure my friend. Keep on making content.

[@robzinawarriorprincess1318]

I was already amazed and delighted. And then you threw in the onion rings for good measure. I had to breathe into a paper bag. 😂

[@dancing_odie]

You arent just making substitutions... you're making the dish better

[@a.katherinesuetterlin3028]

For real! He could have used the German bratwurst recipe, used corn batter with it and it would have been truly a masterpiece. But then my Swiss-German genes could be talking. 😅

[@kotdish]

i am admittedly not american and have always wondered what the sticks in corndogs were for. this answered it. and they somehow look delectable! that's incredibly surprising

[@ffwast]

It took a lot of courage to admit that, I hope you get better soon 😊

[@MynewTennesseeHome]

That sounds great. I have three grandkids spending their summer with me on the farm. I think I'll make them some of those "corn dogs" for a treat.

[@maxlutz3674]

Great idea. If they are old enough, letting them contribute will be even greater. It creates valueable memories.

[@rudydjordjevich4989]

I love this series. This dude has the most original content on this platform and deserves some type of reward for the creativity

[@nelly5954]

This is maybe my favourite series you've ever done. It's just such a genius concept executed perfectly.

[@Paperfiasco]

this is definitely the most fun sub-series you and the team have been doing. Love these time travel episodes, looking forward to the next classic piece of modern Americana you can recreate.

[@connoreddings1314]

I haven’t been doing too well recently, but these time travel food videos have been keeping me afloat and giving my day just a little bit of shine. Thank you Townsends!

[@townsends]

Happy we can help! Thank you for the support.

[@a.c.9993]

😊 hope you are well connor

[@FishSkeleton-]

This series is probably my favorite thing the Townsends have ever put up, and I really do like a whole lot of their content. It's just such a fun, novel idea, especially from someone like Jon who's so genuinely reverential of the history he's having fun with. Kudos, and I wish you all the success in the world among those of us who like a good blend of cooking and education married together.

[@crocholiday409]

These videos are entertaining and comforting. They always put me in a better mood.

[@randy-9842]

Oh, boy, those "corn dogs" look wonderful and I do believe I could eat an entire bucket of those onion rings!! Thanks, Jon. I'm sure Sam Adams loved the meal you prepared!

[@DeadpoolNJ]

Those sausages must have smelled delicious. Love corn dogs and onion rings

[@Dephire]

So much knowledge in one episode! As a home cook I appreciate your input on the lard vs suet melting point discussion.

[@HBrooks]

i like these 'how would we cook it then' episodes. your videos have come a long way in the 5+ years i've been watching. better than TV.

[@jansenart0]

I'd love to see these at a state fair stall.

[@davidmckean955]

From everything I see, the knackwurst, the precursor to the hot dog has been around since the mid 16th century. Also, you could have lightened up the batter quite a bit by beating the egg whites and folding them in.

[@carloshenriquezimmer7543]

He was going for the "street food" vibe at this, I dont think in this case a flufier and more work intensive batter would be better. Also the sausages need to be a quick recepie, so he used the breakfast sausage as a substitute.

[@randybugger3006]

​@@carloshenriquezimmer7543 The street food aspect would alter a few things about Jon's recipe. First, he would use beer instead of milk in his batter. Second, his sausages would be made of the cheapest meat, which even in the 18th century was chicken, and they would be in a casing. This may seem more labor intensive, but it let's the vendor prepare and pre cook all of his sausages. Then he just needs to dip and fry them on the festival day. As for the batter, fluffy is the name of the game. Popcorn would be the best base, but it would be a specialty grain to mill, but hey, it's a festival! You break out the good stuff for festivals. The eggs would just be the whites, no yolks (heavy) and would definitely get a little frothed up. It's not that much more work when you're already making 30 gallons of batter (it's a street festival, lots of people). Jon has it right when he goes for a high temp oil to cook them in but I think if anywhere, this is where the vendor is going to cut costs and use the cheapest oils around.

[@randybugger3006]

​@@carloshenriquezimmer7543 The street food aspect would alter a few things about Jon's recipe. First, he would use beer instead of milk in his batter. Second, his sausages would be made of the cheapest meat, which even in the 18th century was chicken, and they would be in a casing. This may seem more labor intensive, but it let's the vendor prepare and pre cook all of his sausages. Then he just needs to dip and fry them on the festival day. As for the batter, fluffy is the name of the game. Popcorn would be the best base, but it would be a specialty grain to mill, but hey, it's a festival! You break out the good stuff for festivals. The eggs would just be the whites, no yolks (heavy) and would definitely get a little frothed up. It's not that much more work when you're already making 30 gallons of batter (it's a street festival, lots of people). Jon has it right when he goes for a high temp oil to cook them in but I think if anywhere, this is where the vendor is going to cut costs and use the cheapest oils around.

[@koilvondailey8030]

I love how he uses the present tense when speaking of the 18th century. I only discovered this channel about two years ago, but it became one of my top three favorites very quickly.

[@hannibalkills1214]

This mini-series should be a whole cookbook on its own.

[@aname1795]

I think it would be good if you did a video about foraging because a lot of supplies for households were found in the woods like mushrooms to make mushroom ketchup and other spices because it was cheaper to forage them.

[@varietywiarrior]

I love this series so much. It's the most wholesome thing ever.

[@KnightsofGaming2016]

Love this series! It amazes me how modern food has its roots in the past. I know it's common knowledge that something always has its origins, but we do tend to take for granted the origins of modern food and how different it used to be in the past.

[@ja-bv3lq]

Loved the video, John! Corn dogs are definitely a guilty pleasure of mine. The best homemade corn dog batter I've ever made is simply the Better Homes and Gardens recipe for cornbread (just mixed a little thicker so it sticks to the dog long enough to get it into the oil). When I'm feeling saucy I'll add some diced jalapeños, green chilies or shredded cheddar into the batter. 😊

[@williamelliott]

I cooked a Christmas turkey 2 years ago with the recipe from you with the garlic cranberry dressing stuffed in the bird snd cooked it hanging on a string with pecan wood for the fire. That was the first time I ever seen a turkey.the bread used was a homemade sourdough bread.completely eat up at one sitting. It was do good.

[@armageddonready4071]

What a fun family. I can’t even imagine how much crazy stuff they must get into over the holidays.

[@UseAbuseReuse]

I absolutely love the Time Travel Food series! Keep it up, Jon and crew!

[@justleeguy9195]

I do hope this is the beginning of a new series, blending modern recipies with 18th century methods is certainly a fun idea.

[@goldenbatz]

I've got good news for you: it already is a series and this is the fifth video. kzbin.info/aero/PL4e4wpjna1vwp67PWg7yUTTPveM9oj-IJ

[@linndarkwatch]

He's done a few others already. Check out the Time Travel Food playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL4e4wpjna1vwp67PWg7yUTTPveM9oj-IJ

[@dmr6640]

Love your time travel videos. So interesting to see what could be done to make the food we know today in the past. ❤

[@BrittanyGates]

I never thought to add Parmesan cheese to onion ring batter. 🤯And those corn dogs look great too!

[@dianebondhus9355]

Wow, the work arounds you guys come up with are great! I love this series, actually all of Townsends. ❤

[@KHX274]

Watching this video made me feel peaceful. Thank you.

[@bobball3645]

That looks amazing Jon! Thank you for sharing.

[@vanessacole2547]

I love this series of time travel food!

[@Losttoanyreason]

I have really been enjoying this modern foods in the past series. 👍

[@dwaynewladyka577]

This series is amazing. I love it. Great looking corn dogs and onion rings. Cheers!

[@carloshenriquezimmer7543]

I am pretty sure Sam is going to love the onions, I mean he had a bowl of them at his side in the portrait at 8:30

[@Cristal3]

I saw this technique once where you beat minced meat with a wooden spoon in a bowl. By doing this, it not only mixes the fat around better, but it crushes the meat, making a finer mince. Maybe something to try if you revisit this recipe :)

[@rubaiyat300]

This has become my favorite series on this channel. Love the concept, execution, and historical adaptation!

[@guymcperson4330]

Once I complete my time machine, I'm taking you back, Mr. Townsend. We have to go back and bring corndogs to the people earlier.

[@calichigal]

I enjoy all of your videos, but these Time Travel Food episodes are icing on the cake!! I also enjoy seeing how you tweek the mushroom ketchup to fit a need in each of these.

[@hollsb6203]

I'm always pleased by these videos. It allows me to take a few moments and just put my mind elsewhere.

[@mystra13]

Thank you for continuing this series. They're so much fun!

[@Murlockwarrior]

That thumbnail for the video is just so dang wholesome and gives off the vibe I have come to feel with this channel. I love it. Please keep up your excellent work. Cheers!

[@matthewroll3947]

That crunch on those onions! I would love to try with either wild boar or wild game sausage! Love this channel and continue to leave me hungry for good 18th century cookery and knowledge

[@whome.773]

i have been watching this channel for a long time now but this series you started is so good it feels like a guilty pleasure

[@kathy4118]

These Time Travel Food videos are wonderful, so much fun and relaxing to watch.

[@AllDayBikes]

My favorite series you guys have made

[@ST0AT]

I adore this series so much

[@yapyap722]

i have to be honest, this is my second favorite series. apart from the cabin building. keep up the good work!

[@leeshepherd8486]

Good job!!! I have been an antique collector / dealer most of my life. A few years ago I bought a museum worthy bird's eye maple sugar chest. I was able to find the sugar cone and all the accessories that would have been with it on your website.

[@debbralehrman5957]

Thanks Jon and guys!! Another great video. 👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼👏🏼👍🏼

[@ArdcoreGaming]

I cried for the hotdog,.. until I realized that I am watching Townsends. By far one of my most favorite channels here on youtube.

[@KGRumph]

These are very interesting. A neat idea. I appreciate the time that goes into taking a sort of inventory of what we would have available and making do with what is at our disposal in the 18th century.

[@fancyultrafresh3264]

Absolutely loving this series John.

[@MaffiaRK]

Delightful! Thank you; love the time travel food videos!

[@spacedog2980]

This channel absolutely soothes my soul.

[@BradBrother]

There is definitely a moment of serenity with the music playing while the onion rings frying!!

[@williamelliott]

Excellent show. I will definitely try this recipe

[@mattski1979]

Whoever does the captioning you are on point and perfect. Great job. Oh yeah, and these things (all of the food you're cooking) looks outstanding. Thank you.

[@mattski1979]

Oh yeah, what happened with the original batter you made and said you were setting it aside to thicken? Was that put on the corndogs?

[@corinneone]

I can hardly wait to try these recipes! Thank you 🙏

[@alexcastillo4741]

Been watching your videos for years now; they never disappoint.

[@j.j.savalle4714]

Those look amazing! Kudos to Townsends again for a novel time machine idea and some great chow!

[@ItsLevicon]

I love this series of modern dishes made with yesteryear methods/ingredients!

[@uriah-s97]

Good lord I just love this music Jon!!! What an awesome recipe, certainly going to make these. Keep up the amazing work everyone!!🎉🎉

[@WelcomeToTheBackLogs]

This is such a cool concept. I've always imagined circumstances of bringing modern things into the past.

[@DaniloSantosVieira]

This series reminds me of a show called Outlander , there is an episode where the characters (who are time travelers in early America) make PB and J sandwiches

[@dannyd4339]

Love this channel. I always learn so much from Townsends

[@Kalhiki]

Those look incredible! I can't say I'm a big fan of hot dogs in general, but a corn dog using a sausage? Gotta try it. the onion rings look amazing as well! Though talking about fair food, my mind went to funnel cake. I wonder if they had anything like that in the 18th century...

[@sallycormier1383]

This was great! I first started watching your channel when I ran across one of your cooking 18th century videos. ❤

[@ethanpowell1028]

As usual, this is great! What a delight on a weekend in July.

[@zacharyhayward1262]

I would much rather this than a modern corn dog! Those onion rings look amazing, might have to give them a go! 😊

[@pootie3181]

This was a great idea for an episode. Hope you keep doing them.

[@stephenkamps8925]

I will invent time-travelling technology just to eat that food. That looks AMAZING! I need to try this myself

[@Nako3]

You are one of the only persons who appreciate and respect the past. Thats awesome!

[@LillibitOfHere]

Your channel is the reason I picked up a jar of mace. Oatmeal cookies with cinnamon, ginger, and mace are 10/10. I can’t wait to try those onion rings now.

[@IsaacRamirez-im5xj]

Most wholesome chanel on youtube right here. Just a friendly guy sharing his love of american history with everyone ❤

[@PROGNOSTIC4TOR]

That looks amazing. Thank you for the video!

[@eddiemudie952]

This is such a great idea for a series. Hope it lasts a good long while.

[@all_day_cooking]

Love your channel!!

[@gemini539]

What a great video!!! I love the idea of using parmesan cheese in onion rings. Brilliant channel idea and always so informative. Great job!!

[@M-1996A1]

This series is the best!

[@RedHeadedTsunami]

Perfect timing! I had made little twined around wreaths of the garlic scape stems I had and was thinking about how to batter and fry them when this came up. They came out beautifully! Thanks for the 2 batter recipes. I am loving this series!

[@healinggrounds19]

Great name! Sounds delicious. I will be right over with freshly picked onions!

[@whitequasar4686]

I wonder if you'd ever do an episode but like for grilled cheese that seems pretty fun and I wonder what founding father would love grill cheese

[@christophersheffield9574]

Lil bit o’ pepper huh? Thanks for another great video. I have loved watching you grow through the years. I found your channel with your original mushroom ketchup.

[@briannawalker4793]

This series satisfies SUCH a specific brain itch - more please!!

[@alexhurst3986]

I love these segments!

[@CinnamonToastKing]

I'm always excited to see another in the series!!!