So much for a gasbag to bloviate about. Trump vs Biden again? Please nooooooo. Will Putin obliterate us all? Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg…….who ya got. They have agreed to fight at the “Vegas Octagon,” an Ultimate Fighting Championship arena, although it’s unclear if and when it will take place. Pumpkin Spice?????? Been there, done that. Wait….. I have it.

Over the years I have had some deep discussions with some owners of some really fine eating establishments on the topic of Hushpuppies or what they may perceive as Hushpuppies.

As we know here in the South the ingredients should usually include cornmeal, flour, salt, baking soda, eggs, buttermilk or milk, and water. Green onion, yellow onion, whole kernel corn, peppers and garlic are optional ingredients although I’m hesitant on the corn. Pancake batter can be used to make hushpuppies in a pinch. ONLY in a pinch. Spoonfuls of the batter are dropped into hot oil and fried until golden brown. They are allowed to cool, then are served with barbecue or seafood. Easy, smeasy.

Buford T. Justice:
You want something?

Junior:
Hush puppies, daddy.

Buford T. Justice:
We don’t got time for that crap! Dumb sumbitch!

The word “hushpuppy” dates back to the turn of the 20th century. The name is attributed to fishermen, hunters and cooks who used to fry a cornmeal mixture to feed their dogs. This practice was literally “hushing” the puppies, distracting them during cookouts and fish-fries. They obviously didn’t have Arlo in mind. He would lap it up in seconds and be back for more aggravation. Another story tells of how Confederate soldiers in the Civil War quelled the bark of their dogs with fried cornbread. Either or both of these might (or might not!) be true.

Legend also has it where Romeo Govan who was born into slavery in 1845 in Orangeburg County, South Carolina and subsequently freed in 1865 following Union occupation of his county. He had the first hushpuppies of what he called red horse bread. Sometime in 1870, Govan began catering a myriad of successful events, from hosting a fish fry on the riverbank to catering soirees for government officials: at all events – besides his fried fish and catfish stew – his red horse bread wowed the audience. The delicious morsel of goodness was born right here in South Carolina, allegedly…….

I have researched this subject extensively. Mainly because of the crap that restaurants falsely pass to their consumers these days as Hushpuppies. You know what I am talking about. Those little pieces of cornmeal, sugar and salt batter. Unbelievably they give you honey butter to slather all over it. What the hell? It is miniature balls of pound cake. I would rather eat the soles of a hushpuppy shoe.

Years ago I had a conversation with Russ, the owner of Russell’s which is one of the best restaurants in South Myrtle. It is almost at the end of Murrell’s Inlet. (He has since sold the restaurant but it is still in good hands) He was aware of his crime to his patrons, his false claim of serving a bowl with what he passed as Hushpuppies. What other false claims were on the menu? Was that really Hogfish? Was the house bourbon really Makers Mark? I don’t think so. How do I know he was aware of his crime? He admitted it. He knew he was committing this treacherous act. The worst part was he did not care. “It is what the people want” he said as he sipped his Bud Light. Little did I know until years later that should have been a red flag.

Unfortunately most restaurants these days do not serve Hushpuppies the way I love them, you know the old Fish Camp Hushpuppies we were accustomed to when I was growing up. The Romeo Govan kind. Those such as myself with my sophisticated palate who cares enough to try to right what for many years has been wrong. I have beaten my drum to the unsophisticated who eat at Applebees for a anniversary meal or who ask the chef for a bottle of ketchup or catsup for their well done steak. A cow gave up his life so you could have a steak. Don’t besmirch its memory by cooking it beyond recognition into a brownish wad of overcooked sadness. Some people say a juicy medium-rare steak is “bloody” and “gross”. Remember you are eating a damn hunk of cow flesh. There SHOULD be blood involved. I have gone down a rabbit hole…. What was I writing about? I remember, Hushpuppies. These are the people who have succumbed to the crappy pound cake version cooked in leftover fish grease. This is progress? I don’t think so.

So here is a recipe that I use when I make this delicious delicacy. I like a little spice and kick added to mine. For those who are afraid of a little heat just omit the jalapeño and please do not get frozen Hushpuppies. Try it and let me know what you think. Notice there is zero sugar. Bon Appétit.

Kent’s Savory Hush Puppy Recipe – Cowboy Kent Rollins

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ¼ cup of flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 egg beaten
• ¾ cup whole milk
• 1 small onion diced
• 4 sweet peppers diced
• 2 jalepenos diced

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in the egg and milk. Stir in the onion, peppers and jalapenos.
2. With floured hands, pinch off the dough and form into about 2 ½ x ½-inch cylinders.
3. In a deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil to 350 – 365°. Drop the batter into the oil. Fry for about 2 to 2-1/2 minutes or until golden brown rotating. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm. Makes 15 – 17.

https://russellsseafood.com/