Do you ever daydream about foods you haven’t had in a long time?
Like the fried chicken you used to eat but you don’t now because it’s too fattening, too fatty and too messy to make?
Or Mac n’ Cheese the way your Grandma made it, but it doesn’t taste the same since she’s gone?
Or the original Bonomo’s Turkish Taffy that doesn’t taste anything like it used to so you don’t bother?
One of the foods I think about more than occasionally is my Mom’s Corn Fritters. Crispy outside, soft and puffy within, and loaded with corn. Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. With a little real maple syrup.
It’s an indulgence, to be sure, so I don’t make them too often. But I just had to have some yesterday. I had been thinking about them, mostly because I had some corn left over from a few extra cobs I cooked over the weekend.
So I made some. I changed one important ingredient though. I switched from dairy milk to coconut milk. UNSWEETENED refrigerator case coconut milk (not canned).
The fritters were vaguely sweeter, but every bit as wonderful, delicate, crispy-edged and perfect. I think Mom would approve.
CORN FRITTERS
2 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 large egg
1 cup coconut milk (or use regular, whole milk)
2 cups cooked corn kernels (about 4 ears of corn)
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1-1/4 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
margarine/butter/vegetable oil for frying
maple syrup, optional
Melt the butter and set it aside to cool. In a bowl, beat the egg and coconut milk together. Stir in the cooled melted butter and the corn kernels. In a second bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt; add this to the corn mixture and stir ingredients gently to blend them together. Heat enough margarine, butter and/or vegetable oil in a saute pan over medium heat. When the fat has melted and looks foamy (or the vegetable oil is hot), drop the corn batter by the 1/4-cupful. Cook for about 2 minutes or until the bottom has browned. Flip the pancakes and cook for another 2 minutes or until the second side is brown. Serve with maple syrup if desired.
Makes 6-8 servings