Hush puppies are relatively easy to make.
While most Americans just know hush puppies as crispy and starchy balls of fried cornmeal -- a side dish popular at the United States fast food chain Long John Silver's -- the food actually has some light history and culture surrounding it. Whether you eat them from a restaurant or make them yourself, hush puppies are a relatively easy and delicious accompaniment to any Southern style meal.
History of the "Hush Puppy"
Legend has it that when their pet dogs would bark or beg for food, owners -- predominantly fishermen from the South and Civil War soldiers -- would throw the dogs scraps of a cornmeal and flour batter cooked over the fire, instructing, "Hush, puppy," to pacify the animals. Today, hush puppies -- also referred to as "corn dodgers" -- are most often served alongside barbecue foods and fried seafood.
Typical Ingredients
Hush puppies are most commonly made with a mixture of flour, cornmeal, egg, onion, salt, baking soda, milk or buttermilk and water.
Tasty Additions
Beer can be used in place of milk to give hush puppies a lighter and sharper flavor; jalapeno peppers, for a spicier version. Fresh chopped herbs, like sage and chives, add some zest, while batter made with shredded Parmesan or Asiago cheese makes for a creamier taste.
Frying Options
According to Southern Comfort magazine, the most important factor involved in frying hush puppies is the depth and temperature of the oil used. For best frying results, your batter must be fully submerged in the oil; a pot with a depth of at least 6 inches filled with 2 to 3 inches of actual oil is recommended. Ideal oil temperature for frying is 375 degrees. Helpful tools for this process are a clean ruler to dip into your pot and a deep frying thermometer to maintain cooking oil temperature.
Frying Oil
While Long John Silver's uses soybean oil to fry most of its menu items in, including hush puppies, a number of different cooking oils can be used when making hush puppies from scratch. Grease and vegetable oil are two of the most common oils used when frying food.
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