Buttermilk Hush Puppies with Onions and Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

•	1 quart Crisco® Pure Peanut Oil
•	2 cups White Lily® Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix
•	1/2 cup White Lily® All Purpose Flour
•	1 teaspoon baking soda
•	1 large egg, lightly beaten
•	1 cup buttermilk
•	1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
•	3 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper

Instructions:

1.	HEAT oil in deep fryer or very deep heavy pot to 365°F.
2.	COMBINE cornmeal mix, flour and baking soda in medium bowl.
3.	WHISK together egg, buttermilk, onion and bell pepper in small bowl. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.
TIP	Be sure oil is at correct temperature before adding batter. If you do not have a thermometer, you can test using a cube of bread. The bread will brown within a few seconds, without absorbing very much oil.
4.	DROP batter by rounded tablespoonfuls carefully into hot oil. Fry 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.
TIP	Batter will rise to surface when done.
5.	REMOVE hush puppies with metal tongs or metal slotted spoon; turn onto paper towels to drain.
6.	ALLOW oil to return to temperature before repeating with additional batter.