Hush puppies are a delicious Southern dish made from a simple batter that's fried until golden brown. Here's a basic recipe to make hush puppies at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. **Prepare Batter**: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir until well combined.
2. **Add Vegetables**: Add the finely chopped onion and, if using, the green bell pepper and jalapeno pepper to the dry ingredients. Mix until the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients**: In a separate bowl, beat the egg and buttermilk together until well combined.
4. **Mix Batter**: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can result in tough hush puppies.
5. **Heat Oil**: In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) over medium-high heat. Make sure there's enough oil to fully submerge the hush puppies.
6. **Form and Fry**: Once the oil is hot, use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry the hush puppies in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking.
7. **Drain and Serve**: Use a slotted spoon to remove the hush puppies from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining batter.
8. **Serve Warm**: Serve the hush puppies warm as a delicious side dish or snack. They pair well with seafood, barbecue, or other Southern-inspired dishes.