HUSHPUPPIES

Hushpuppies image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Peanut oil, for frying
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 small Vidalia onion, finely grated
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Steps:

Preheat 2 inches peanut oil in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar, cayenne and paprika in a large bowl to get rid of the lumps. (No one likes a lumpy hushpuppy.) Mix in the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine.
Dip 2 spoons into a mug of water (this allows the batter to come clean off). Scoop up about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter and carefully slide it into the hot oil, working in batches. Fry the scoops of batter 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked all the way through (test the first one for doneness). Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet, seasoning with salt as soon as they come out of the fryer.