Buttermilk Hushpuppies

Ingredients

Peanut oil, for frying

1 cup yellow cornmeal

3/4 cup self-rising flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 small Vidalia onion, finely grated

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 cup buttermilk

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat 2 inches peanut oil in a deep-fryer or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Whisk the cornmeal, flour, 1 teaspoon salt, the sugar, cayenne and paprika in a large bowl to get rid of the lumps. (No one likes a lumpy hushpuppy.) Mix in the remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine.
2. Dip 2 spoons into a mug of water (this allows the batter to come clean off). Scoop up about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter and carefully slide it into the hot oil, working in batches. Fry the scoops of batter 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked all the way through (test the first one for doneness). Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet, seasoning with salt as soon as they come out of the fryer.