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Scrumptious Hush Puppies

Source of Recipe

From "In the Kitchen with David" by David Venable


Recipe Introduction

"Whenever we visited my grandparents, it was a real treat when they took us out to dinner at a fish camp. A fish camp is what we down South call a seafood restaurant. I can still see the paper-lined red plastic baskets filled with fried fish, some tangy coleslaw in a small cup, and a pile of freshly fried hush puppies. When I make hush puppies, I add corn kernels and Cheddar to the mix. And here's where those bacon drippings will come in handy."

List of Ingredients

â—¦ 1 8.5-ounce box corn muffin mix
â—¦ 1½ cups self-rising flour, plus more if necessary
â—¦ 4 tsp sugar
â—¦ 1½ tsp kosher salt, or more to taste
â—¦ 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
â—¦ 1½ cups buttermilk
â—¦ 4 bacon slices, cooked and finely chopped; ¼ cup bacon drippings reserved
â—¦ 2 large eggs
â—¦ 4 scallions, minced
â—¦ 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
â—¦ 1½ cups (6 ounces) finely shredded Cheddar
â—¦ Canola oil, for frying


Recipe

Whisk together the muffin mix, flour, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, bacon, bacon drippings, eggs, and scallions. Stir in the corn. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the corn muffin mixture and stir to combine. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour, if necessary, so that the mixture holds together. Stir in the Cheddar. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Using a melon baller, shape the batter into 1 to 1½-inch balls. Clip a deep-frying thermometer to the side of a heavy, deep pot. Add 3 inches of canola oil to the pot and slowly heat the oil to 375° F.

Using a slotted spoon, add 6 to 8 hush puppies to the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Turn them and fry for 2 minutes more. (Cook the hush puppies in batches or the oil won't stay hot and they will be soggy rather than crisp.) Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the hush puppies to a wire rack or paper towels. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the remaining hush puppies. Serve hot.


Makes about 24