When you think of Southern comfort food, hush puppies are likely at the top of the list. These little fried balls of cornmeal and spices are a staple at seafood restaurants, barbecues, and family gatherings across the South. They're easy to make and even easier to eat, and they're sure to please a crowd of any size. In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know to make the perfect hush puppies, from the ingredients and marinating process to the cooking tools and techniques.
Ingredients Needed to Make Hush Puppies Recipe
To make hush puppies, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 egg, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
Make sure to measure your ingredients carefully to ensure the best results. You'll also want to use fresh ingredients whenever possible to get the most flavor out of your hush puppies.
For the Marinade Hush Puppies Recipe
One of the keys to making delicious hush puppies is to let the batter rest for a while before frying. This allows the flavors to meld together and the batter to thicken up, resulting in a better texture. To marinate your hush puppy batter, simply mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
Kitchen Tools Needed Hush Puppies Recipe
You don't need any fancy equipment to make hush puppies, but there are a few tools that will come in handy:
- A large mixing bowl
- A whisk or fork for mixing the batter
- A deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot for frying
- A slotted spoon or spider for removing the hush puppies from the oil
- Paper towels or a wire rack for draining the hush puppies
Make sure to have all of your tools and ingredients ready before you start cooking to make the process go smoothly.
How to Make Hush Puppies Recipe
Now that you have all of your ingredients and tools ready, it's time to make the hush puppies! Follow these simple steps:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the chopped onion and green onions to the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, water, and beaten egg.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring constantly, until the batter is thick and well combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
- When you're ready to fry the hush puppies, heat up your deep-fryer or heavy-bottomed pot of oil to 375°F.
- Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry the hush puppies for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the hush puppies from the oil and transfer them to a wire rack or paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, being sure to let the oil come back up to temperature between batches.
- Serve the hush puppies hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Cook Hush Puppies Recipe
Frying hush puppies can seem intimidating, but it's actually quite simple as long as you follow a few guidelines:
- Use a neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil.
- Don't overcrowd the pot or deep-fryer, as this can lower the temperature of the oil and result in soggy hush puppies.
- Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the hush puppies from the oil, as this will allow any excess oil to drain off.
- Let the oil come back up to temperature between batches to ensure even cooking.
- Test the oil temperature regularly with a thermometer to ensure it stays at a consistent 375°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use self-rising cornmeal?
Yes, you can use self-rising cornmeal in place of the cornmeal and baking powder in this recipe. Just omit the baking powder and salt from the dry ingredients.
2. Can I use a different type of onion?
Yes, you can use any type of onion you like in hush puppies. Sweet onions, such as Vidalia onions, will give the hush puppies a sweeter flavor, while red onions will add a bit of bite.
3. Can I make hush puppies without an egg?
Yes, you can omit the egg from this recipe if you prefer. The egg helps to bind the batter together and make it more cohesive, but it's not strictly necessary.
4. Can I bake hush puppies instead of frying them?
You can try baking your hush puppies in the oven, but they won't have the same crispy texture as fried hush puppies. To bake them, preheat your oven to 400°F and drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. What's the best dipping sauce for hush puppies?
Traditional dipping sauces for hush puppies include tartar sauce, remoulade, or comeback sauce. You can also try dipping them in honey mustard, ranch dressing, or hot sauce.
Conclusion
Hush puppies are a classic Southern dish that's easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple ingredients and some basic kitchen tools, you can whip up a batch of crispy, flavorful hush puppies in no time. Just be sure to let the batter rest before frying, and follow these tips for perfect frying every time. Serve them up hot and watch them disappear!