Corn Fritters with Hot ’n’ Sweet Dipping Sauce

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Fry up these babies and set them out with the dipping sauce while you’re preparing the fish tacos, but maybe set aside a couple for yourself, because when you turn around, they’ll be gone. Using fresh corn is always preferable, but if fresh corn isn’t available, use frozen cream corn.

For the fritters:

8 ears corn, shucked, or 2 cups frozen cream corn, thawed

½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

¼ cup finely chopped green onions

¼ cup finely chopped onion

¼ cup milk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

½ tsp. minced garlic

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup plain cornmeal

1 Tbsp. baking powder

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Canola oil for frying

For the dipping sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. hot sauce (or to taste)

1. Wrap the corn tightly in parchment or wax paper and microwave on high power for 4 minutes. When cool enough to handle, cut the corn off the cob into a bowl.

2. Stir in the cheese, green onions, onion, milk, eggs, bacon, and garlic. Combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Add to the corn mixture, and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.

3. Pour the oil to a depth of 2 inches in a deep skillet and heat to 350°F.

4. Using a small ice cream or cookie scoop, drop the batter into the hot oil, and cook, in batches, for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.

5. To make the dipping sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with the fritters.