Apple Sage Fritters
About a month ago I started a new job at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, working in their education and programming departments. It’s amazing and I love it. And, in an effort to keep work life separate, that is all I will say about it. Except that I love my coworkers because they are sweet and wonderful and on occasion bring sage in from home. Which, it turns out, I use by frying it. Because I have to stay true to my roots.
There is something about sage where, when I smell it, I can only pictured it paired with a granny smith apple. Sometimes that means on top of a burger or a pork chop, and other times that means in pie. When I first started dreaming up the apple/sage dessert, I was picturing something akin to a hand pie. Something bite sized but definitely in the realm of pie. But I kept describing it to people (Dan) as a fritter. Not because I can’t tell the difference between a pie and a fritter, but because apple sage fritter sounded better than apple sage pie. And because I’m crazy.
So I set out to make fritters. And they were so good. And I was in heaven. And for a brief, fleeting moment (a week or so), I wanted to cheat on pie with fritters. I’ve calmed down a bit, and now I just want to be polygamous. Also, ALSO, I fried these on the grill. Partially because I’m obsessed with my grill and partially because frying things on the grill is THE BEST THING EVER. Because here’s the deal, internet. Since I turned 18 and left the comfort of my parent’s house, where there was always pickled okra and tomatoes, I’ve lived in apartments. And you know what is NOT fun to do in apartments? Fry things. But, as a southerner who requires a quotient of fried food in her diet, I fried in my apartments. And it was smoky and hot and messy. But not any more. Now I will fry ON MY GRILL.
Apple Sage Fritters
2 granny smith apples
1 cup fresh sage leaves
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
Powdered sugar for sprinkling
Oil for frying
In a medium mixing bowl, combine milk, eggs, and vanilla. In another mixing bowl combine flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and sugar. Mince sage and add that.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
Peel and dice your apples. Fold them into the batter.
Place a large cast iron skillet directly on the grill and heat your oil to 350 degrees. With a spoon (for a more freely shaped fritter) or an ice cream scoop (for a rounder fritter), drop your fritter into the oil. The batter should sink and then float to the top. Fry for 2-4 minutes and then, using a slotted spoon, turn them over. Fry an additional 2-4 minutes or until both sides are golden brown.
Remove from oil and set on a paper towel. Douse with powdered sugar. Let cool, and devour.