Golden Brown Goodness: Classic Fried Mush

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever get a hankering for something simple, comforting, and just a little bit different? well, get ready! this fried mush recipe is about to become your new obsession.

It's basically crispy cornmeal cakes of joy and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

Brief Overview

Fried mush , a classic with pennsylvania dutch recipes , is a taste of americana. it's easy, but requires planning for chilling.

This recipe yields four servings, perfect for sharing at family breakfasts.

Main Benefits

Honestly, this comfort food breakfast is pure nostalgia on a plate. a great snack for a party , the main benefit? it's surprisingly adaptable! it can be even adapted as vegan breakfast ideas .

This fried mush will have you reaching for seconds.

Golden Brown Goodness: Classic Fried Mush Recipe Card

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Preparation time:02 Hrs 15 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950 ml) Water
• 1 teaspoon (6 g) Salt
• 1 cup (150 g) Yellow Cornmeal (Stone-ground recommended for texture)
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) Unsalted Butter, or vegetable oil, for greasing the pan
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) Milk (optional, for creamier mush)
• 4 slices Thick-Cut Bacon
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) Pure Maple Syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Apple Cider Vinegar (optional, for tang)
• Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for a little kick)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Vegetable Oil, or rendered bacon fat

Instructions:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, ensuring no lumps form.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 15-20 minutes). Stir in milk, if using, during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Grease the baking dish with butter. Pour the cooked cornmeal mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, until firm.
• Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the cooked bacon.
• Add maple syrup, apple cider vinegar (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Heat over low heat until warmed through. Stir in the crumbled bacon.
• Remove the chilled mush from the refrigerator and turn it out onto a cutting board. Slice into 1/2-inch thick rectangles or squares.
• Heat vegetable oil (or rendered bacon fat) in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully place the sliced mush into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
• Fry the mush for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Drain the fried mush on paper towels. Serve immediately, drizzled with the maple-bacon syrup.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:350-400

Fat:20g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish

Cuisine:American

Golden Brown Goodness

Have you ever tried fried mush ? no? oh my gosh, you are missing out! it’s like a hug in food form, a total comfort food classic.

I remember the first time i had it. i was visiting my aunt carol in pennsylvania, and she whipped up a batch for traditional holiday meals .

It was love at first bite. it's a traditional recipe for me and my family.

What Is Fried Mush?

Alright, let’s break it down. fried mush is basically cooked cornmeal that's been chilled, sliced, and then fried until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Think polenta's cool cousin! it has a rich history, especially in the southern breakfast sides , and the pennsylvania dutch recipes .

It’s simple, but the taste is amazing. you can even create creative ways to serve food .

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Beyond the nostalgia factor, this recipe is just plain delicious . that's why i wanted to create this recipe. we're going to give it a little twist with a maple-bacon syrup.

The salty-sweet combo? unbeatable. plus, it's super easy to make. even if you are rubbish at cooking, you can pull it off.

This recipe uses a diner sides . it's easy and affordable. the recipe makes about four servings, perfect for a family brunch or a lazy weekend breakfast.

What You'll Need

Here's what you need to make this golden, crispy goodness. Simple ingredients, big flavor!

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Mush Going!

Alright, let's talk about what you'll need to make this awesome fried mush . seriously, this is comfort food breakfast at its finest! it's one of those pennsylvania dutch recipes that just screams "autumn" (even though you can totally eat it year-round).

I grew up on this stuff. my grandma used to make it every year, especially during traditional holiday meals .

Main Ingredients: Keep It Simple, Keep It Tasty

Here’s what you need to whip up this batch of Crispy cornmeal cakes , enough for about 4 hungry people. Remember this, if your family are anything like mine double it.

• For the Mush:

  • 4 cups (950 ml) Water
  • 1 teaspoon (6 g) Salt
  • 1 cup (150 g) Yellow Cornmeal. Quality matters! Go for stone-ground cornmeal – it gives the fried mush a much better texture. Honestly, it makes all the difference.
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) Unsalted Butter. Vegatable oil works as well if you prefer.
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Milk (optional). Adds a bit of creaminess.

• For the Maple-Bacon Syrup:

  • 4 slices Thick-Cut Bacon. Because, well, bacon . The thicker, the better.
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Pure Maple Syrup. None of that fake stuff, okay?
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Apple Cider Vinegar (optional). Adds a nice tang.
  • Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (optional). A little kick never hurt anyone!

• For Frying:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Vegetable Oil or, even better, rendered bacon fat. Using bacon fat is one of those creative ways to serve food that'll blow people's minds.

Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up (Or Not!)

The beauty of fried mush is its simplicity. salt is key. don’t be shy with it. a little red pepper flakes in the syrup adds a subtle heat that complements the sweetness.

For a savory version, think about adding garlic powder or onion powder to the cornmeal.

Equipment Needed: Bare Essentials

You don’t need a fancy kitchen to make this. We're channeling those diner sides vibes.

• Large saucepan
• Whisk
• 8x8 inch baking dish
• Cling film/plastic wrap
• Large skillet or frying pan
• Spatula

Honestly, a good whisk and a decent skillet are your best friends here. if you don’t have an 8x8 dish, any similar size will work.

It's a great snack for a party , and easy too.

I hope you love this southern breakfast sides recipe as much as my family does. now, go forth and fry! for those into vegan breakfast ideas , simply sub in plant-based butter/oil and vegetable broth instead of water for a delicious twist on this classic.

Golden Brown Goodness: Classic Fried Mush with Maple-Bacon Syrup

Okay, folks, let's talk about fried mush ! honestly, have you ever had it? it's like a warm hug on a plate.

This humble dish, with its roots deep in the pennsylvania dutch country, is pure comfort food breakfast . i'm talking crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, total bliss.

And we're kicking it up a notch with a smoky-sweet maple-bacon syrup. trust me, you'll be hooked! some say there is similar recipe named crispy cornmeal cakes , but nothing can beat the fried mush .

It's also one of the Traditional Holiday Meals people make. My grandma always made it for Thanksgiving breakfast.

Prep Power: Getting Organized

Before we dive into the frying, let’s get our mise en place sorted. get everything measured out. it will make the whole process smoother.

For the syrup, cook the bacon first – that bacon fat is liquid gold for frying! pro tip: while you are cooking bacon, if you love spicy you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Speaking of safety, remember that hot oil is no joke. always be careful and use a splatter screen if you have one.

Step-by-Step to Crispy Perfection

Here's how we make this fried mush magic happen:

1. Boil 4 cups water with 1 teaspoon salt .
2. Whisk in 1 cup yellow cornmeal . No lumps allowed.
3. Simmer on low for 15- 20 minutes , stirring constantly, until thick. Add 1/4 cup milk for extra creaminess (optional).
4. Pour into a greased 8x8 inch dish . Cover with plastic wrap.
5. Chill for at least 2 hours , or overnight.
6. Fry bacon until crispy. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat !
7. Slice the chilled mush into 1/2-inch thick slices.
8. Fry in oil (or bacon fat!) for 3- 4 minutes per side , until golden brown. Critical temperature of the oil is between 350-375 F .

Pro Tips for Fried Mush Success

Honestly, the key to amazing fried mush is all in the chilling. if it's not firm enough, it will fall apart when you fry it.

So plan ahead! another tip? don't overcrowd the pan when frying. you want that golden brown crispiness on every slice.

Looking for some vegan breakfast ideas ? this dish can be 100% vegan with just a few simple tweaks.

One common mistake? not stirring the cornmeal enough while it's cooking. lumps are a no-go! some people have creative ways to serve food , and they include fried mush in the main course as southern breakfast sides .

I personally like to have it when i need comfort food breakfast , and it is a great snack for a party .

You know? the taste can be tweaked according to different cornmeal recipes breakfast .

So there you have it, folks! my take on classic fried mush . give it a try, and let me know what you think! it's a simple dish that brings back so many good memories.

I can make this dish according to the pennsylvania dutch recipes . it's diner sides you don't see often! enjoy!

Recipe Notes for the Best Fried Mush Ever

Alright, let's talk about the nitty-gritty of making fried mush ! honestly, this isn't rocket science, but a few pointers will take your crispy cornmeal cakes from "meh" to "oh my gosh, this is amazing!".

This recipe is something that can be part of traditional holiday meals , like christmas, or thanksgiving.

Serving Suggestions: Creative Ways To Serve Food

Okay, so you've got your perfectly fried mush golden brown and crispy. Now what? Think of Creative Ways To Serve Food to make it extra special.

• Plating and Presentation Ideas: Stack those puppies high! Dust with powdered sugar and serve alongside the maple-bacon syrup. Or, get fancy and create a little tower, alternating fried mush with crumbled bacon and a drizzle of syrup. This works especially well as a Snack For A Party .
• Complementary Sides or Beverages: For a truly decadent Comfort food breakfast , pair it with scrambled eggs and sausage. Coffee is a must, of course, but a mimosa would be even better if you're feeling fancy. This dish can be added to the menu as part of the Southern breakfast sides .

Storage Tips

Life happens! Sometimes you have leftover fried mush , or you want to prep ahead. No worries, I've got you covered.

• Refrigeration Guidelines: Leftover fried mush can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure it's in an airtight container.
• Freezing Options (if applicable): Yep, you can freeze it. Wrap the sliced mush tightly in plastic wrap, then pop it into a freezer bag. It'll keep for up to 2 months.
• Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat fried mush is in a skillet with a little bit of oil. Heat until crispy again. You can also use an air fryer for the quick crisp. Microwaving is also fine, but it will not be as crispy.

Variations: Diner Sides, Vegan breakfast ideas, Pennsylvania Dutch recipes, Cornmeal recipes breakfast

Want to mix things up? Of course, you do! The recipe is versatile and can be tailored based on your dietary or ingredient restrictions.

• Dietary Adaptations: For a Vegan breakfast ideas version, use plant-based butter and syrup, also replace the bacon with coconut bacon.
• Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: In the fall, try adding a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the cornmeal mixture. Serve with apple butter instead of maple syrup for a autumnal twist.

Nutrition Basics

Alright, let's be real. Fried mush isn't exactly a health food. But, everything in moderation, right?

Simplified nutrition information: one serving is about 350-400 calories. key health benefits: cornmeal is a whole grain, so it does offer some fiber.

Plus, bacon makes everything better, right? (don't tell my nutritionist i said that!). this dish is part of the pennsylvania dutch recipes and it's delicious

Honestly, fried mush is one of those dishes that just makes you feel good. it's simple, comforting, and totally delicious.

So go on, give it a try! i have been eating it for breakfast since i was a child. you won't regret it! also it´s a great way to experiment with cornmeal recipes breakfast