Fabulous Fritters

I just couldn't stand another day of working and not cooking, so I kept it simple with a nice meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. But the real treat came at television snack time - banana fritters. Fritters are one of the best foods ever invented because they're so darn versatile. They can be sweet or savory, made with vegetables or fruit. Truly, who can resist piping hot fried dough?

For banana (and sometimes apple) fritters I start with basic corn fritter batter (egg, flour, milk, baking powder, salt) and put in two or three mashed overly ripe bananas. Then I usually throw in some brown sugar and cinnamon for good measure. This all gets thoroughly mixed into a medium-density batter that is dropped by spoonfuls into hot (375 degrees) oil and fried until golden brown. After draining them for a minute or so on paper towels, I dust them with powdered sugar (yum). Though anything fried like this sounds heavy, fritters really aren't because they're just the right size for one or two bites.

When I was a kid my mom often made corn fritters which we ate with maple syrup, so whenever I make these treats I think about how lucky I was to have a mom who treated us to homemade goodies, and much I loved to eat them. My kid loves them, too. Actually he stuffed a couple in his mouth on the way out the door and called dibs on several more asking me to save them for him until he returned. (He went to a dance at a nearby church with several friends. Ultimately the dance wasn't much fun, but he was happy we left him some sweet fritters.) The hubby was appreciative of these little beauties as well. (Of course, when is he not appreciative of something sweet?)

Truthfully, tonight's dessert was at his behest. He's been watching a few bananas turn brown all week. I suspect he let them go on purpose. After all, you can see when a banana is just starting to get a little too ripe and eat it right away. However, he did not eat any of them. Instead he checked the fruit bowl daily and mentioned the bananas were starting to get dark. Then, after a couple of days, he mentioned they were really too dark to eat on their own. (Note, however, he did not throw them away.) Finally, yesterday he wondered aloud if they might still make good fritters, and today (lo and behold) batter was fried.

Apparently I'm just a pushover when it comes to food. I saw Jeff eyeing the angel food cake in the bakery section, and I've already checked the cabinet to make sure I have a mix. Guess I know what I'll be baking tomorrow. Alas, a cook's work is never done!