FRESH CORN FRITTERS WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE

Fresh Corn Fritters with Cheddar Cheese image

A delicious summer dish highlighting fresh corn. Adapted from Alexandra Stafford's version of Deborah Madison's "Local Flavors"

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Categories Side dish

Time 35m

Yield 16 fritters

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

2 large eggs, beaten lightly
3 scallions, white and green parts, very thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 oz. cup white, extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3 medium ears of corn, shucked
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. sea salt
--- freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
--- pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
--- olive oil (or vegetable oil) for frying
--- sour cream for serving

Steps:

Gather all the ingredients. Place a clean kitchen towel over a medium bowl. With a sharp knife, remove the kernels from the cob. Reverse your knife and scrape any remaining pulp from the cob using the dull side of the knife (you should have about 1½ cups of kernels). Empty the kernels into the bowl.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. If you are not ready to cook the fritters, cover the mixture and refrigerate it until ready to use; just remember to stir well before frying.
When you are ready to cook the fritters, check the batter by using a spoon to lift a heaping spoonful from the mixture. The batter on the spoon should just hold together, without being watery. If it is too wet, adjust with some extra flour.
Heat the oil over medium-high temperature in a large, no-stick, heavy-bottomed skillet. When the oil begins to shimmer, carefully drop one heaping tablespoon of the mixture into the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium. Gently flatten the patty with a spatula. After about a minute or two, check the underside to ensure that it is lightly browned. Flip the fritter, and cook for one or two minutes more on the other side, or, until it is evenly a golden brown color. Transfer the fritter to a plate lined with a paper towel and let it cool briefly. Taste. If the fritter needs more seasoning, add more to the batter. If the fritter was too wet and did not stay together at all, add a bit more flour. If the fritter is too thick, add an additional ½ beaten egg to the batter. Mix again very well.
Fry up the rest of the fritters in the same way as the tester fritter, adding a thin layer of oil to the pan with each batch.
Serve the fritters with a dollop of sour cream and, if you wish, a wedge of fresh lime.