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.