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Crush Puppies

Yields1 ServingPrep Time30 minsCook Time30 minsTotal Time1 hr

What happens when a crab cake and a hushpuppy have a love child? Give up? You make a Crushpuppy! The appetizer is the perfect combination of flavorful crabmeat dipped in a spicy cornmeal batter and fried to perfection. Make a lot because these go fast. Don’t say I did not warn you.

Special Equipment
 A deep-frying thermometer
Crab Mixture
 ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
 ¼ cup Mayonnaise
 1 tbsp Grated Parmesan
 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
 1 tsp Kosher salt
 ½ tsp Freshly ground black pepper
 1 Jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
 1 Large egg, beaten
 ½ Red bell pepper, finely diced
 8 oz Lump crabmeat
Hush Puppy Batter
 1.50 cups Yellow cornmeal
 ½ cup All-purpose flour
 2 tsp Sugar
 2 tsp Onion powder
 2 tsp Kosher salt
 2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
 1 tsp Baking powder
 1 tsp Baking soda
 ½ tsp Garlic powder
 ½ tsp Cayenne pepper
 2 cups Buttermilk
 1 Large egg, beaten
 Oil, for frying
1

For the crab mixture: In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, mayo, Parmesan, Dijon, salt, pepper, jalapeño, egg and bell pepper. Gently fold in the crabmeat.

2

Using a teaspoon, scoop out the crab mixture and roll into a ball. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue with the remaining crab mixture. Freeze for 30 minutes.

3

For the hush puppy batter: In a large bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, sugar, onion powder, salt, pepper, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder and cayenne and whisk to combine.

4

In a separate bowl, stir together the buttermilk and egg until combined. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

5

Add about 3 inches of oil to a heavy-bottomed pot and heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 350 degrees F.

6

In batches, use 2 spoons to dip each crab ball into the batter, making sure it is fully coated on all sides, then spoon a little extra batter on top. Gently slide the crush puppy into the hot oil using the spoons and fry until golden brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined platter. Serve immediately.