ReTRo HouSeWiFe

RECIPES FROM THE RETRO HOUSEWIFE

SIDE DISH

HUSH PUPPIES, American

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups white corn meal
• 1 1/2 cups scalded milk
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 large onion, grated
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 large cloves garlic, grated

Preparation Instructions

Mix dry ingredients, add scalded milk, then add grated onion and garlic (juice and all. Mold into lady-finger shapes. Fry in deep salad oil in which, if possible, fish has been fried.

Note from RH: The following background story was included with the recipe for Hush Puppies. I was hesitant about including it because of the references to African Americans as "the negros". I decided to include it because the usage is reflective of the time, and was not intended to be derogatory. Since this section is intended as a retrospective, editing the passage or omitting it entirely would be tantamount to rewriting history. It is what it is, and I hope it does not offend.

The name "Hush Puppies" comes from the deep South. Years ago, after the day's work was done the negroes would gather around for cane grindings. After the grinding was done, they would gather around an open fire where corn and fish were being cooked in fat. It was said the negroes had a certain way of making corn pones which made them unusually delicious.

While the food sizzled in the pot, they would engage in the fascinating pastime of swapping "tall" tales. On the outer edge of the circle of light reflected by the fire their hounds would sit, their noses raised in anticipation of catching a whiff of the savory odor of the frying fish and pones. Low whines of hunger from the dogs would often catch the attention of a man and he would reach for some of the corn pones that had been placed on a slab of bark to cool. He would break off a piece, toss it to his hungry dog and murmur "hush puppy!" and so they were named "Hush Puppies".

Contributed by Mrs. J. Doe, 1950

HAVE A COMMENT, QUESTION OR RECIPE OF YOUR OWN? Send it in!

Here's a Pfaltzgraff Coupon:

Black and Decker 8-c. Deep Fryer, White
Price: $0.00 at Cooking.com

For the lover of crispy fried foods, you can't go wrong with the FryMate Plus Cool Touch Deep Fryer, featured here in white. Its variable temperature system is excellent for frying chicken, fish, onion rings, doughnuts, fries and battered foods like tempura! The charcoal and mesh filters helps cut down oils and odors and the ThermaGuard base won't burn you if you accidentally brush up against it. It boasts a giant 8-cup capacity for those days when you're frying up delicious foods for parties or dinners. Its nonstick cooking surface allows easy, dishwasher-safe cleanup.