Crispy Beer-Infused Tomato Hush Puppies
Delight in these crispy, golden hush puppies infused with the rich flavor of beer and fresh tomatoes. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, these tasty morsels feature finely chopped onions and green bell peppers. Ideal for gatherings, they pair wonderfully with dipping sauces or stand confidently on their own.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
self-rising cornmeal
1 1/2 cups
self-rising flour
1/4 cup
salt
1/8 teaspoon
onions
2 (finely chopped)
green bell pepper
1 medium (finely chopped)
tomatoes
1 (finely chopped)
egg
1 large (lightly beaten)
Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons
hot sauce
1/8 teaspoon
beer
1/2 cup
vegetable oil
as needed (for frying)
Instructions
1
Prepare the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising cornmeal, self-rising flour, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed.
2
Incorporate the vegetables: Add the finely chopped onions, green bell pepper, and tomatoes to the dry mixture and stir well to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
3
Add liquids and flavors: Pour in the lightly beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Gradually introduce the beer, stirring continuously to avoid clumps and to achieve a smooth batter consistency.
4
Prepare for frying: In a heavy skillet, pour vegetable oil to achieve a 2-inch depth. Heat the oil until it reaches 375°F—test with a small drop of batter to ensure it sizzles upon contact.
5
Cook to perfection: Carefully use a rounded teaspoon to drop portions of batter into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry each hush puppy for 1 to 2 minutes, turning once, until they acquire a beautiful golden-brown hue.
6
Drain and serve: Remove the hush puppies from the skillet using a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on paper towels. Serve warm, perhaps with your choice of dipping sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Beer-Infused Tomato Hush Puppies?
They are deep-fried cornmeal-based snacks infused with beer, fresh tomatoes, onions, and green bell peppers.
What type of cornmeal is required for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 cups of self-rising cornmeal.
Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising flour?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of self-rising flour to ensure the hush puppies rise and become airy while frying.
How much salt should be added to the dry mixture?
Only 1/8 teaspoon of salt is needed for this recipe.
How many onions are needed and how should they be prepared?
You will need 2 onions, which should be finely chopped before being added to the batter.
What kind of peppers are used in these hush puppies?
The recipe uses 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped.
How are the tomatoes prepared for the batter?
One tomato should be finely chopped and incorporated into the dry ingredients.
How should the egg be handled before adding it to the mix?
The recipe requires 1 large egg that has been lightly beaten.
What flavor enhancers are used in the liquid mixture?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce and 1/8 teaspoon of hot sauce.
How much beer is added to the batter?
You should use 1/2 cup of beer.
What is the primary function of beer in this recipe?
The beer provides a unique flavor profile and the carbonation helps create a lighter, crispier texture.
What type of oil is best for frying these hush puppies?
Vegetable oil is recommended for frying as needed.
How deep should the oil be in the skillet?
The oil should be poured to a depth of approximately 2 inches in a heavy skillet.
At what temperature should the oil be heated?
The oil should reach a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit before frying.
How can I test the oil temperature without a thermometer?
Test the oil by dropping a small amount of batter into it; if it sizzles immediately upon contact, the oil is ready.
What size should each hush puppy be when frying?
Use a rounded teaspoon to drop portions of the batter into the hot oil.
How long do the hush puppies need to fry?
Each hush puppy should fry for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Should the hush puppies be turned during the frying process?
Yes, they should be turned once to ensure they are evenly cooked and browned.
What color indicates that the hush puppies are done?
They should be fried until they reach a beautiful golden-brown hue.
What is the best way to drain the excess oil?
Remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
Is this recipe appropriate for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include appetizer, side dish, southern, fried, beer, tomato, and comfort food.
Can these be served with any specific sauces?
They pair wonderfully with various dipping sauces or can be eaten on their own.
What is the first step in preparing the batter?
The first step is to combine the self-rising cornmeal, self-rising flour, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
How should the liquids be added to the dry ingredients?
Gradually introduce the beer while stirring continuously to avoid forming clumps.
What type of skillet is recommended for frying?
A heavy skillet is recommended for maintaining consistent heat during frying.
Should the skillet be overcrowded during frying?
No, you should ensure not to overcrowd the skillet so the temperature of the oil stays consistent.
Should the hush puppies be served hot or cold?
They should be served warm for the best texture and flavor.
What is the texture of the finished hush puppies?
They are designed to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.