Goat Cheese Hushpuppies

There are some ingredients that I'm immediately drawn to and one of those is goat cheese.  As soon as I see goat cheese in the title of a recipe or the list of ingredients I'm interested.  Goat cheese in hushpuppies?  Sold.  Hook, line, and sinker.

Hushpuppies are as down to earth a food as you will find but adding goat cheese takes them to a new, slightly sophisticated, level.  They are also a food that can range from leaden balls of dough, to greasy, flavorless nothingness, to a light and fluffy, perfectly seasoned accompaniment to your favorite fried fish.  These most definitely fall on the light and fluffy spectrum with their crispy exterior and light interior flecked with pools of cheese.  

What a great way to incorporate one of my favorite ingredients!  Have you tried one of your favorites in a new way recently?

Goat Cheese Hushpuppies
slightly adapted from Heather Cristo Cooks

1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
4 ounces soft goat cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Canola oil, for frying

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, and paprika.  

In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.  Stir this mixture into the dry ingredients

Combine the goat cheese and cream cheese in a bowl until well combined.  Add to the other ingredients and careful stir until the cheese is mostly incorporated.  

Add the canola oil to a large heavy pot.  The amount you will need will depend on the size and depth of your pan.  You will need at least three inches of oil in the pan.  Heat the oil over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.  To test the temperature, drop in a small amount of batter and if it bubbles and quickly floats to the top of the oil it is hot enough.

Using a scoop or a large spoon, scoop the mixture and carefully drop into the hot oil.  Do not crowd the pan as it will bring down the temperature of the oil.  Fry the hushpuppies, flipping when one side is completely browned until they are golden brown.  This will take about 4 minutes.

Place the completed hushpuppies on a baking sheet or plate lined with a few paper towels.