Hush Puppies

Side Dishes

Vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 1/3 cups white cornmeal; preferably stone-ground
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 cups water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter or margarine
In a deep-sided 12-inch skillet; heat 2 inches of oil to 350躘 or until a
1 in bread cube turns golden brown in seconds.

While oil is heating combine cornmeal; sugar, salt, baking powder, and onion in a medium bowl.
Combine water and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over heat; pour over dry ingredients and rapidly to blend. Set mixture as until cool enough to handle. Form in 24 equal balls. Drop hush puppies into hot oil; being careful not to crowd pan, deep-fry, turning once; until golden brown on both sides (3 to 4 minutes). Take care to maintain correct oil temperature. Remove puppies from oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper to hot.