Cast Iron

Corn Dog-ccoli

by:
August 10, 2011
4
1 Ratings
Corn Dog-ccoli
  • Serves 5-7
Author Notes

I am so sorry. About the name. Not about the dish. The dish is delicious. But that name. What was I supposed to call it? It's a corn dog but instead of a hotdog inside, it's broccoli and cheddar. I wanted to make this dish because corn dogs are delicious, but you just hear horrible things about processed hotdogs. I'm very happy with my broccoli-based fair treat: the corn batter is light and fluffy and compliments the broccolli and cheese quite nicely; I hope you enjoy it too! So here it is! Corn Battered Broccoli!. No. Corn Trees! No. Corn Dog...ccoli! Yes? Yes! - helenthenanny —Helenthenanny

Test Kitchen Notes

Yum! Yum! Yum! Great solution to the old “eat your vegetables” problem or just a new way to fix up an “old” favorite vegetable. The batter was easy to work with, did not absorb the grease, and tasted great. However, I did find the skewers a little difficult to deal with. In order for the broccoli to be meaty enough to push through on the skewer, the florets and stems had to be largish. This presented a problem, for me, getting the oil deep enough in my frying pan. This could be eliminated if a tall home french fry fryer were used, I suspect. My solution was to grate the cheese into the batter, cut most of the stem off, dip the broccoli floret into the cheesy batter and fry more like a fritter. Also delicious! For my second attempt, I also added ¼ tsp of pepper to the batter. Loved them that way also. Either way this is a winner. Congrats to the originator, helenthenanny. - mcd2 —mcd2

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 large broccoli crown, cut into large florets
  • 4 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup plus two tablespoons buttermilk
  • bamboo skewers
Directions
  1. Skewer the broccoli florets, placing cheese cubes between broccoli pieces. When skewering, it is best to twist the skewer into the base of the broccoli, otherwise the broccoli might split (if you were to, say, smash it onto the skewer impatiently, which I would know nothing about).
  2. Heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. I used a cast iron skillet, but you may use whatever you like, as long as there is room for the skewers to lay in the oil.
  3. While the oil is heating, combine all the dry ingredients for the corn batter in a mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the egg and buttermilk. With a fork, whisk the ingredients until the batter is well mixed.
  4. Once the oil is heated, dip the broccoli cheese skewers into the batter, using a spoon to make sure skewers are thoroughly covered. Fry the Corn Dog-ccoli skewers until golden brown, rotating gently to ensure that batter is evenly cooked on all sides. Drain on paper towels. Enjoy!
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29 Reviews

Muse
Muse December 27, 2013
Oooooo...these are a keeper recipe. Love broccoli and cheddar cheese!
 
wssmom
wssmom August 14, 2011
I LOVE the name!
 
The B.
The B. August 14, 2011
Wow, looks fantastic!!!
 
ChefJune
ChefJune August 12, 2011
What a cool idea. Wonder whether this will help my great nephews eat their broccoli?
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 12, 2011
thank you! i hope so! if battering and deep-frying the broccoli doesn't work, i don't know what will! ; ) thanks for the comment!
 
Sagegreen
Sagegreen August 12, 2011
Fun and healthy! Baby Henry is going to love these growing up!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 12, 2011
i hope so, thank you!! henry is quite the chubster, so i hope his love of eating will continue! with a mom like arielleclementine, how could he not love food!!?!!
 
gingerroot
gingerroot August 12, 2011
Brilliant and delicious!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 12, 2011
yes! thank you gingerroot!!
 
nicholas.kier
nicholas.kier August 12, 2011
Delicious AND nutritious?! Sign me up!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 12, 2011
mmmm deep fried nutrition... ; ) !!! thank you, boyfriend!!
 
nannydeb
nannydeb August 11, 2011
If ya'll open up a stand in front of the house I'll be there every day! And I don't make it down South very often!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 12, 2011
thanks nannydeb!! i might just do that!!
 
arielleclementine
arielleclementine August 11, 2011
Yay, sister! These were so delicious- perfectly cooked broccoli and ooze-y cheese inside a delicious corny batter! You are the cleverest!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thanks sister!!! they were a nice compliment to your frito pie, i must say!!! ; )
 
healthierkitchen
healthierkitchen August 11, 2011
Fun twist!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thank you!!
 
aargersi
aargersi August 11, 2011
Nice Helen! Love the idea of using broc n cheese instead of a hot dog!!!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thank you, abbie!!
 
nannydeb
nannydeb August 11, 2011
Abbie, you would probably put ketchup on this, wouldn't you?
 
aargersi
aargersi August 11, 2011
of COURSE I would! AND mustard cuz that's how I roll!
 
lapadia
lapadia August 11, 2011
Yum, delicious and such a cleaver idea!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thank you, lapadia!
 
mrslarkin
mrslarkin August 10, 2011
Oh, very yum!!!
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thank you, mrslarkin!!
 
dani
dani August 10, 2011
I think this a very original idea. Getting something healthy and vegetarian at a State Fair sounds good to me. Can't wait to try it. What a fun food idea.
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
thanks mom! : }
 
boulangere
boulangere August 10, 2011
Whoa, I am so coming to your fair! No apologies needed for the name.
 
Helenthenanny
Helenthenanny August 11, 2011
haha, hooray! and thank you!