Soulful Southern Whitebait Fritters

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the traditional New Zealand whitebait fritters are transformed into a soul food delight. The original recipe is enhanced with the addition of cornmeal and Southern spices, giving the fritters a unique flavor profile. The cooking technique remains the same, but the ingredients are modified to suit the soul food cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Whitebait Fritters, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal 1/2 cup (60g) cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk
• 1 large egg 1 large egg
• 1 cup (150g) whitebait 1 cup (150g) whitebait
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 1g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
3. 3.
   Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
4. 4.
   Gently fold in the whitebait.
5. 5.
   Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
6. 6.
   Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
7. 7.
   Remove the fritters from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
8. 8.
   Serve the Soulful Southern Whitebait Fritters hot with remoulade sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Whitebait — Make sure to gently fold in the whitebait to avoid breaking them apart. If fresh whitebait is not available, you can use frozen whitebait, thawed and drained.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or Cajun seasoning to the batter.
• Serve the fritters with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a tangy kick.
• If you prefer a lighter texture, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cornstarch.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces such as tartar sauce, hot sauce, or sweet chili sauce.
• To make mini fritters, use a tablespoon to drop smaller portions of the batter into the oil.

Serving advice

Serve the Soulful Southern Whitebait Fritters as an appetizer at your next gathering or as a main course accompanied by a fresh salad. They are best enjoyed hot and crispy.

Presentation advice

Arrange the fritters on a platter and garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley or chives. Serve with a side of remoulade sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.