I used a cast-iron Danish aebleskiver pan, aka a “puff pancake” pan, to make these hush puppies. An aebleskiver pan has seven holes into which you place oil and batter, ending up with perfectly formed balls of fried goodness. If you don’t have an aebleskiver pan, use a heavy skillet, and pour your oil 1/4 inch deep.
Ingredients:
Hush puppies:
Peanut oil for frying
1 1/2 cups fine Floriani cornmeal
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup water
1 egg
2 tbsp shallot, minced
Chipotle sauce:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp chipotle hot sauce
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, baking powder, salt, buttermilk, sour cream and water. Mix in egg and shallot.
2. Place 1 teaspoon oil in each hole of the aebleskiver pan. Heat on medium-high heat until oil sizzles when you test a spoonful of batter.
3. Turn down heat to medium and drop 1 tablespoon-sized ball into each slot of the pan. After a minute, gently run a dull knife around the edge of the hush puppies and flip over. Fry for another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
4. Remove from pan with a spoon and transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. Serve hot with chipotle dipping sauce.
5. To prepare the sauce, combine all ingredients and mix well.
Makes 2 dozen.