Name: Corn Fritters
Cook time: 1 hr
Total time: 2 hr
Yield: Makes 10 to 12 (side dish) servings
Ingredients: 2 cups water; 4 cups olive oil; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 large egg, separated; 8 ears corn; 1 garlic clove; a deep-fat thermometer

Corn fritters are incredibly versatile—they can be drizzled with maple syrup for a breakfast cake, topped with applesauce as a snack, or served with salsa as a side dish. These fritters, adapted from Laurie Colwin, have a wonderfully crisp exterior and a sweet, fluffy middle.

Cooks' note:

To take the temperature of a shallow amount of oil with a metal flat-framed deep-fat thermometer, put bulb of thermometer in skillet and turn thermometer facedown, resting other end (not plastic handle) against rim of skillet. Check temperature frequently.

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