Fool-proof corn fritters from In Praise of Veg
Servings: 4
Once you get the hang of these, you’ll be making them all the time – and adding your own go-to combinations beyond these bases. In fact, the more veg you can pack in, the better – think zucchini (courgette), frozen peas, shredded red capsicum (pepper) and the like. Keeping the corn frozen adds moisture, and saves you having to thaw it in advance. These fritters are not only brilliant for breakfast, steaming hot and crispy, but make for fab lunchbox additions, too.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen corn kernels
- ½ cup self-raising flour I use gluten-free, but you do you
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- ⅓ cup milk
- ½ cup grated haloumi
- ½ tsp salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- peanut or sunflower oil for shallow-frying
Instructions
- Pop the frozen corn into a bowl with the flour and toss through to coat. Add the eggs, milk, haloumi, salt flakes and pepper and mix well to combine. Allow to stand for 15 minutes, or until bubbling a little.
- Add in any chosen flavourings (see below; this is where things can get creative).
- Heat 1 cm (½ inch) of oil in a large frying pan over medium–high heat. Line a tray with paper towel and set a wire rack on top.
- Working in batches, add heaped tablespoons of the batter to the hot oil and cook for 1–2 minutes, or until golden. Turn and cook for a further 1–2 minutes, or until cooked through and golden. Drain on the wire rack and continue with the remaining batter. Serve hot.
Notes
Tex-Mex fritters
To the batter, add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 small grated red onion and 1/2 bunch of shredded coriander (cilantro). Cook as above. Serve with lime wedges, extra coriander and chilli salt, or mayonnaise spiked with chipotle chillies or smoked paprika. Indonesian fritters
To the batter, add 100 g (31/2 oz) thinly sliced green or snake beans, 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger and 1 finely chopped seeded red chilli. Cook as above. Serve with Vietnamese mint, chilli and nuoc cham. Indian fritters
Fry the leaves from 2 curry leaf branches, or 1/2 bunch of coriander (cilantro), until crisp, then crumble one-third into the batter. Stir in 1 teaspoon ground turmeric.
Cook as above. Serve scattered with the remaining leaves, and plain yoghurt with a dollop of Coriander raita (page 280) or mango pickle swirled through. Tip
You can also slice corn kernels off fresh corn and stir these through the batter. However, you’ll need to add another tablespoon or so of milk to compensate, until you have the consistency of pancake batter. Shortcut
You can use a pre-mixed pancake batter from the shops. Pour the frozen corn straight into the bottle with the grated haloumi, milk and eggs and shake.
To the batter, add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 small grated red onion and 1/2 bunch of shredded coriander (cilantro). Cook as above. Serve with lime wedges, extra coriander and chilli salt, or mayonnaise spiked with chipotle chillies or smoked paprika. Indonesian fritters
To the batter, add 100 g (31/2 oz) thinly sliced green or snake beans, 1 teaspoon finely grated ginger and 1 finely chopped seeded red chilli. Cook as above. Serve with Vietnamese mint, chilli and nuoc cham. Indian fritters
Fry the leaves from 2 curry leaf branches, or 1/2 bunch of coriander (cilantro), until crisp, then crumble one-third into the batter. Stir in 1 teaspoon ground turmeric.
Cook as above. Serve scattered with the remaining leaves, and plain yoghurt with a dollop of Coriander raita (page 280) or mango pickle swirled through. Tip
You can also slice corn kernels off fresh corn and stir these through the batter. However, you’ll need to add another tablespoon or so of milk to compensate, until you have the consistency of pancake batter. Shortcut
You can use a pre-mixed pancake batter from the shops. Pour the frozen corn straight into the bottle with the grated haloumi, milk and eggs and shake.
