17 January 2014

Corn Dogs and New Year's Goal

While the rest of the blogging world is resolving to cut corn, wheat and dairy products out of their diet, 
I am perfecting my corn dog recipe. 
I tell Ryan that I only eat one hot dog a year, but that excludes hot dogs roasted over an open fire, because we all know that food consumed in the great outdoors does not contribute to any sort of quota.
A few years ago I posted some of these photos of the corn dogs I made but then I couldn't find my original recipe, so I included a link to a recipe that was similar.  I was craving corn dogs, but the recipe I linked to was confusing and included oil in the batter which seems repetitiously redundant, as you fry them in oil anyway.
I figured out the perfect frying temperature.  And the batter?  It's good enough that I'll whip some up and just cook balls of it to eat ditching the meat on a stick.
Also, the key is to use corn kernels.  Fresh if you've got them.  Moderation in all things, right? And at least I use the all natural nitrate-free hot dogs.  That has to count for something.
Best Corn Dogs Ever
1 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper (or more if desired)
corn, cut, from 2 cobs
3/4 to 1 cup buttermilk
1 egg, beaten
8 regular franks
8 popsicle sticks or wooden skewers
1/2 cup corn starch
oil for frying

Heat oil (deep enough for the hot dog to be fully immersed) to 365 degrees F while you mix batter.  Mix corn meal, flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, corn together.  Add egg and enough buttermilk to create a batter the consistency of cake batter.  Let rest for a few minutes for baking powder to be activated.  Meanwhile, insert stick in each hot dog and roll in cornstarch on a plate.  Rub off excess.  Dip hotdog in batter, using a spoon or your hand to encase the whole thing in batter.  The more, the better.  Quickly place in the hot oil.  If some of the batter comes lose, no worries. Those are good to eat, too.  Remove when golden brown.  Serve with ketchup and mustard.
Of course there is always room for improvement when it comes to eating, exercise and other daily habits.  I vow to drink more water.  But, I find that when I set too many goals for myself, I feel overwhelmed and change nothing at all. Olive and I recently attended a writing workshop with her 4th grade teacher to help improve their writing and she said, you can't change everything at once.  If their spelling is atrocious, pick one word for them to practice.  When they have that word down, add another one.  
While new growth and change may feel and look awkward like my cactus, it's worth the price.  I am vowing to hug more.  I'm not the hugging type, but hugs can heal sometimes when words fail.  Hugs I can do.  I want my children to remember that their mom stopped what she was doing and gave them a hug.  Even if she didn't cook a perfectly healthy dinner or look perfectly fit.  Water and hugs.  I can do that.

23 comments:

  1. You are completely awesome. Perfect goals and I can't wait to try these! Thanks!

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  2. Those look awesome. I'm going to have to pass this recipe over to my husband, who is the master fryer in this house. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I am so with you on the more hugging thing. I am working on that too. Really freaking the 14 and 15 year olds out though! And I can only take so much rejection. :(

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  4. love this. a bit ago my girl decided she wanted corn dogs and I remembered a post from you about them so I searched and couldn't find the recipe. Just when I was about to email you she had moved on to fish. Glad you posted this so I can try them, pretty sure corn dogs will be back around on her menu.

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    1. Cathy! So fun to hear from you and glad I can assist in scratching the corn dog itch ;)

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  5. These corn dogs look awesome and delicious and I don't even LIKE corn dogs and NEVER eat them. I bet I'd eat more than one of these, though! More water is a great goal for everyone. Ditto on the hugs. I am a hugger. After years of hugging at my school, I actually have adults coming down to my room and saying, "I need a Karen S....hug!" That and tea. A cup of tea is often healing, too. I try to have a pot at the ready both at school and at home.

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    1. Regular corn dogs shouldn't even be in the same food group as these. And I love your hugging story. So great :)

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  6. yummy! I recently switched my kids to nitrate free hot dogs and they made the change just fine... I don't eat meat at all, but these actually look great. I love the whole corn kernels... Emily@nap-timecreations

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    1. Maybe you can make an exception for one a year ;)

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  7. Sweetie, I'm from south Louisiana and us Cajuns hug everybody anytime and all the time. It's just a part of life here. We do surprise a lot of Northerners with our welcome hugs, but I know deep down they love it.
    The corn dog recipe surprised me with the kernel corn, but I think I am going to have to try this. Sounds yummy.

    Hugs from this little old Cajun lady

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  8. Great post...I am with you on that one WATER AND HUGS. I have to admit I have never had a corn dog....maybe that can be a new years resolution too!!!

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  9. I LOVE corn dogs. These sound wonderful!

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  10. Oh, Katy, you're the BEST mom ever! I never dreamed of making home-made corn dogs!!! And for those hugs, your kids are so cute, I'm sure that resolution will be an easy one to keep!!!

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  11. Ah...who cares about healthy ALL of the time? Not me! :) This looks amazingly delicious.

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  12. I made these last week and they were a huge hit! Now corn dogs without corn kernels in them just seem wrong... Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

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