Hush Puppies With Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
If you are looking for a delicious and easy side dish to accompany your favorite meals, hush puppies with Jiffy corn muffin mix are a perfect choice. These deep-fried balls of goodness are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a sweet and savory flavor that complements any main course. In this article, we will share with you a simple and foolproof recipe for making hush puppies with Jiffy corn muffin mix, as well as some tips and variations to customize them to your taste.
What are Hush Puppies?
Hush puppies are a traditional Southern side dish made from a mixture of cornmeal, flour, eggs, and milk or buttermilk, which is shaped into small balls or patties and deep-fried until golden brown. The name "hush puppies" comes from their original purpose as a way to "hush" or quiet barking dogs, as people would throw them to the dogs to keep them from following or disturbing them. Nowadays, hush puppies are a beloved comfort food that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to seafood, barbecue, and other dishes.
Why Use Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix for Hush Puppies?
While you can make hush puppies from scratch using cornmeal, flour, and other ingredients, using Jiffy corn muffin mix is a convenient and time-saving option that produces consistent and delicious results. Jiffy corn muffin mix is a pre-packaged blend of cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, which you only need to add eggs and milk to make into a batter for hush puppies. Jiffy corn muffin mix is affordable, widely available, and has a sweet and slightly cakey texture that makes hush puppies more moist and flavorful than plain cornmeal ones.
The Recipe for Hush Puppies with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Here is the recipe for making hush puppies with Jiffy corn muffin mix:
Ingredients:
- 1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix (8.5 oz)
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup of milk or buttermilk
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion (optional)
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Jiffy corn muffin mix, egg, and milk or buttermilk, and stir until smooth.
- Add the chopped onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, if using, and stir until evenly distributed.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer, over medium-high heat, until it reaches 350-375°F.
- Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry the hush puppies for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and cooked through on the inside.
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the hush puppies to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve the hush puppies hot, with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside your main dish.
Tips and Variations for Hush Puppies with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Here are some tips and variations to make your hush puppies with Jiffy corn muffin mix even better:
- You can substitute the milk or buttermilk in the recipe with beer, which will add a yeasty and slightly bitter flavor to the hush puppies.
- You can add other seasonings to the batter, such as chopped herbs, paprika, or Old Bay seasoning, to give the hush puppies a different taste and aroma.
- You can stuff the hush puppies with cheese, ham, or shrimp, by wrapping the filling inside a ball of batter and frying it until crispy.
- You can make mini hush puppies by using a mini muffin tin or a cake pop maker, which will make them bite-sized and cute.
- You can use leftover hush puppies as a base for a Southern-style eggs Benedict, by topping them with poached eggs, ham, and hollandaise sauce.
Conclusion
Hush puppies with Jiffy corn muffin mix are a tasty and easy recipe that will add a touch of Southern comfort to any meal. With just a few basic ingredients and some imagination, you can customize your hush puppies to suit your preferences and surprise your guests. We hope you enjoy making and eating hush puppies, and that this article has inspired you to try new variations and techniques. Happy cooking!