What I burnt on my summer vacation- August 2, 2010
We’re at Topsail Island on the North Carolina coast. I’ve been to this beach every summer of my life. I took my first steps in the beach cottage, right where I’m sitting right now. Our little house has survived umpteen hurricanes when houses around us crumbled. Needless to say a piece of my heart is on this shore.
For the uninitiated, in the Carolinas, we listen to Beach Music. Girls wear pearls and flip flops with sundresses to go to football games. We like our pork bar-b-que chopped, and tea sweet. We love hushpuppies. Hushpuppies are little pieces of fried dough heaven that go deliciously with fish. I have never made them myself, but I was gonna give it a try. I figured I had to be proficient at this Southern delicacy before becoming an official Southern Mama. I had no idea hushpuppy dreams could so quickly become greasy nightmares.
Greyson and I bought fish from a roadside shop from a guy with one bad eye and some of his hushpuppy mix. I was feeling good. The family was relaxing. You could hear The Embers from the iPod speakers, “I love beach music….” I followed directions as closely as I could. I mixed the batter exactly as I should. The pan was full of hot grease and it was time to drop in my first dollop of dough. “I always have and I always will….”
That’s when it happened. When this dough hit the pan it instantly incinerated. Think of that scene in Terminator 2. I mean, burnt-up-turned-to-black-in-seconds. All that happened next was within seconds.
Smoke hit my eyes. Greyson started to cough. “I learned to shag on the beach with the salt in the air…” Smoke alarm. I pulled the charcoal briquette that was a dollop of dough and put it on the plate. The grease burned my hand. I heard, “{cough} {cough} Oh my God!” “Get a fan!” “My eyes!” “I love beach music….”
Greyson and I bought fish from a roadside shop from a guy with one bad eye and some of his hushpuppy mix. I was feeling good. The family was relaxing. You could hear The Embers from the iPod speakers, “I love beach music….” I followed directions as closely as I could. I mixed the batter exactly as I should. The pan was full of hot grease and it was time to drop in my first dollop of dough. “I always have and I always will….”
That’s when it happened. When this dough hit the pan it instantly incinerated. Think of that scene in Terminator 2. I mean, burnt-up-turned-to-black-in-seconds. All that happened next was within seconds.
Smoke hit my eyes. Greyson started to cough. “I learned to shag on the beach with the salt in the air…” Smoke alarm. I pulled the charcoal briquette that was a dollop of dough and put it on the plate. The grease burned my hand. I heard, “{cough} {cough} Oh my God!” “Get a fan!” “My eyes!” “I love beach music….”
That is not a turd, it’s a hushpuppy.
Mom and Greyson in the smoke filled kitchen
Mom fanning the smoke detector in time to The Embers
I turned things around. These were the finished products after I got the grease a better temperature. My family was kind enough to tell me how good they were.
Nothing more beautiful.
Except for that.
Spread it around:
Amy, Your blog was suggested by ofthesea, from the 31dbbb challenge. It's beautifully done and humorously written, which are 2 things I look for in a blog! Well done! Keep your sense of humor, because it's what will keep you sane through parenthood!
All the best, Barbara
i'm humbled in your presence…..as a proud southern belle, i have NEVER attempted to make hush puppies. you have now achieved rock star status in my opinion! xoxo
Had to post a comment after I saw that you were in Topsail for vacation. Do you live in NC? I'm also in NC, and also pregnant (due first week in November) so I thought I'd enjoy your blog! Great documentation of your hush puppy adventure
It was nice to be a witness to this crazy day!!! i had to run outside with kylee just to get some fresh air! too funny amy!! but you did redeem yourself cause they were some yummy hushpuppies.. Great dinner!!
Hush puppies are too good for me to ruin them with my lack of Southern cooking skills
Props to you for attempting them!