Texas Pete® Hush Puppies W/ Cheddar Cheese & Bacon

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 8 cups peanut oil or 8 cups grapeseed oil or 8 cups canola oil
• 1 1/4 cups cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons texas peteâ® original hot sauce
• 1 cup medium texas peteâ® medium salsa, drained, pulsed in food processor
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, thick shred
• 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

Recipe

• 1 preheat fryer to 350 degrees or pour 4 inches of oil into a deep, heavy pot. clip a candy thermometer on the side of the pot and bring to 350 degrees over medium-high heat.
• 2 in a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper and baking powder. set aside.
• 3 in a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, garlic, texas pete® hot sauce and texas pete® medium salsa. pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed.
• 4 add cheese and bacon. mix until just combined.
• 5 using 2 tablespoons or a #30 scoop, carefully drop balls of batter into fryer. fry for about 4 minutes, turning halfway through until golden brown and cooked through.
• 6 transfer to paper towel lined sheet tray and sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. serve immediately.