Hush Puppies

Ingredients:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup fine-grind cornmeal
2 teaspoons sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg, beaten to blend
1 cup buttermilk
½ small onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeded if desired, finely chopped
Vegetable oil (for frying; about 6 cups)

Preparation:

1.Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper in a large bowl to combine. Add butter and work in with a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse meal (the largest butter pieces should be no bigger than a pea).


2.Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add egg and buttermilk to well. Gradually incorporate into dry ingredients, mixing from the center out, until a smooth batter forms. Add onion and jalapeño and mix gently just to evenly disperse (be careful not to overmix).


3.Pour oil into a large heavy saucepan to come halfway up sides and fit with thermometer. Heat oil over medium-high until thermometer registers 350°. Using a 1-oz. scoop or a tablespoon and working in 2–3 batches, carefully drop balls of batter into oil and fry, turning often with a spider or a slotted spoon and adjusting heat to maintain temperature, until hushpuppies are puffed and deep golden all over, about 4 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and let cool slightly.


4.Serve warm hushpuppies with tartar sauce alongside for dipping. 


Do Ahead: Batter can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Scoop cold batter directly into hot oil and fry.