Crispy Southwestern Jalapeño Hush Puppies with Tomato and Green Onion
Elevate your Southern feast with these delectable Crispy Southwestern Jalapeño Hush Puppies flavored with fresh tomatoes and green onions. Add a kick of spice with jalapeños and savor the combination of textures and flavors in every bite. Perfect for your next gathering or as a savory side dish, these golden nuggets are sure to impress!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
yellow cornmeal
1 - 1 1/2 cups
flour
1/2 cup
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon
sugar
1 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
pepper
1/4 teaspoon
large egg
1 (whisked)
milk
1/4 cup
firm meaty chopped tomato (like roma)
1/2 - 3/4 cup (chopped)
green onion
3/4 cup (diced)
vegetable oil
as needed for frying
jalapeño pepper
1 (chopped (optional))
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined.
3
Gradually pour the egg mixture into the well of the dry ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is just moistened.
4
Fold in the chopped tomato and diced green onions until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5
For an extra heat, combine in the chopped jalapeño at this stage.
6
In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, pour enough vegetable oil to reach a depth of 3 inches. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C) using a kitchen thermometer to ensure accuracy.
7
Using a teaspoon, carefully drop rounded spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil. Fry the hush puppies in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking them for approximately 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until they achieve a golden brown color.
8
Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the hush puppies to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
9
Serve the hush puppies immediately while they’re hot and crispy. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Southwestern Jalapeño Hush Puppies?
They are golden fried cornmeal nuggets flavored with fresh tomatoes, green onions, and optional jalapeños for a Southwestern twist.
What are the main dry ingredients for this recipe?
The dry ingredients include yellow cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper.
How do I prepare the batter?
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, create a well, pour in a whisked egg and milk mixture, and stir until just moistened.
What type of tomato is recommended?
A firm, meaty chopped tomato like a Roma is ideal for this recipe.
Is the jalapeño mandatory?
No, the jalapeño is optional and can be added if you want an extra kick of spice.
How much oil is needed for frying?
You should pour enough vegetable oil into a Dutch oven or saucepan to reach a depth of 3 inches.
What is the ideal frying temperature?
The oil should be heated to 375°F (190°C) for the best results.
How long should each hush puppy cook?
Fry them for approximately 2 1/2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
How do I ensure the oil temperature is accurate?
Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature throughout the frying process.
Why should I fry the hush puppies in batches?
Frying in batches avoids overcrowding the pan, which helps maintain a consistent oil temperature and ensures even cooking.
How do I remove excess oil after frying?
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the hush puppies to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
When should I serve the hush puppies?
They should be served immediately while they are still hot and crispy.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 servings.
What type of cornmeal should be used?
The recipe calls for 1 to 1 1/2 cups of yellow cornmeal.
What is the role of baking powder in this recipe?
Baking powder acts as a leavening agent to help the hush puppies rise and become airy.
How much green onion is needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of diced green onions.
Can I use a different type of oil?
While vegetable oil is suggested, any neutral oil with a high smoke point will work for frying.
How much milk is used in the batter?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of milk.
What tools do I need to portion the batter?
A simple teaspoon can be used to drop rounded spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include Southwestern, hush puppies, fried, appetizer, side dish, tomato, green onion, and jalapeño.
Is there sugar in the hush puppies?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of sugar to balance the savory and spicy flavors.
How do I prepare the egg?
One large egg should be whisked before being combined with the milk.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the dry ingredients (cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, garlic powder, and pepper) in a large mixing bowl.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total, including the optional jalapeño.
Can I add the tomatoes and onions early?
The instructions recommend folding them in after the dry and wet ingredients have been combined.
What kind of vessel is best for frying?
A Dutch oven or a large saucepan is recommended for frying these hush puppies.
Are these hush puppies a side dish or an appetizer?
They can be served as both a savory side dish or a snack/appetizer.
What gives the hush puppies their Southwestern flavor?
The combination of garlic powder, green onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños provides the Southwestern profile.
Should the batter be over-mixed?
No, you should stir until the batter is just moistened to keep the texture light.
What color should I look for to know they are done?
Look for a rich golden brown color on all sides.