Hot Corn Fritters

[souljoy]

Hot Corn Fritters

Serves 5 as Sideor 2 as Main Dishor 16 as Hors d'oeuvre.

These are great for breakfast topped with hot syrup or melted hot fruit preseres. For cocktail nibbles, stir 1/2 cup grated cheese into the batter.

Recipe by eGullet Q&A Special Guest, Joyce White, adapted from the cookbook: Soul Food: Recipes and Reflections from African-American Churches - used with permission from the author.

• 1 large ear fresh corn
  
• 3 c Vegetable oil for deep frying
  
• 1 c all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
  
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin or coriander seeds
  
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 1/2 c whole milk
  
• 1 T vegetable oil
  

Husk and silk the corn and then cut the kernels from the cobs, scraping the cobs well to extract the corn milk. Discard the cob. You should have 1 generous cup of corn kernels. Set aside.

Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep, heavy kettle or pot to reach a depth of at least 3 inches. Place the pot on high heat and insert a deep-frying thermometer to gauge the oil temperature.

In the meantime, in a medium bowl sift together the flour, salt, black pepper, baking powder, cumin or coriander seeds and cayenne pepper. Add the eggs, milk and oil. Mix only until blended and then stir in the corn, mixing lightly.

Check the thermometer to make sure the oil has reached 370 degrees. If so, using a tablespoon and a rubber spatula to scrap the batter out of the spoon, drop the batter by spoonfuls into the hot oil. Don't overcrowd the pan.

Turn the fritters over in the hot oil, and fry for 2 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown.

Remove the fritters from the oil with long-handled tongs. Drain on paper toweling, and keep warm in a 250 degrees oven while frying the rest of the batter.

Makes 16 to 18 fritters.

Note: You can substitute buttermilk for the whole milk. If so, use 1/2 teaspoon baking soda instead of the 1 tsp baking powder.

Keywords: Hors d'oeuvre, Amuse, Appetizer, Side, Kosher, Vegetarian, Intermediate, Vegetables, Breakfast, Brunch, Snack, American

( RG595 )