Hush Puppies: Southern Cooking for Northerners

Posted by Dana Oshiro

Photo courtesy of Iron Stef

Whenever someone complains about the lack of ambience at a Hawaiian restaurant in their Yelp Review, I immediately disqualify their opinion. The spirit of Aloha does not involve white table cloths, arrogant sommeliers, or preferential treatment for Lord and Lady Fussypants. The true spirit of Aloha means never having to wear a shirt.

In the same way that I feel ownership over both Hawaiian and Japanese foods, Southerners hold fast to their staples. As a West Coast Canadian, I'd never tasted chicken fried steak, fried blueberry pie, hominy grits, collard greens and black-eyed peas. I've just discovered Soul Food while living in San Francisco. Yes, I know. Every Southerner reading this wants to hog tie me like in that Pace Picante commercial when the cowboys find out the salsa is from New York City. But the woman who made my hush puppies called me "sugar" in a Southern accent. This is a good sign.

HUSH PUPPIES
What could possibly be more amazing than deep fried balls of cornbread? Yes I know, sometimes I get high and mighty about fat and cholesterol. I'm a freaking enigma. Anyways, here is a recipe for these golden balls of goodness.

Ingredients
2 cups yellow corn meal
1 cup plain flour
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper blend
1 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 cup bacon grease
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1/2 cup diced onions
1tbsp sugar
Canola oil for frying

Directions
1. MIX INGREDIENTS: Whisk eggs, buttermilk and bacon grease into dry ingredients. Mix in corn.
2. FRY HUSH PUPPIES: Heat oil in wok or deep fryer at about 365° - 375° and spoon mixture into oil. Hush puppies are ready when the balls are golden brown and float to the top of the surface.
3. SERVE: Pat dry on paper towel and serve plain or with your favorite sauce. We like to mix chipotle peppers with mayo. Serve and enjoy.

*For more Southern inspiration try checking out Homesick Texan - a blog written by a Texan in NYC.

TAGS: Hawaiian, Hush Puppies, Southern Food, Texans, Yelp
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