Summer went by way too quickly. We were gone most weekends, but somehow didn’t manage to check off any of the camping or hiking trips we had planned. To make up for it, we’re headed to Italy in a few weeks for a yoga workshop and some travel. I’m pretty giddy with excitement and looking forward to a little vacation. Before we leave though, I’m packing in a bunch of work and enjoying the rain and cooler weather. I’ve been lighting candles every morning, sipping tea on the couch with my pups and making soup and baking cookies. Fall is my favorite season for sure. As much as I love fall, I’m not quite ready to let go of the summer produce so I’ve got the recipe for these Corn and Shiso Fritters for you. Continue reading for the recipe…
A few weeks ago I was fortunate to be able to attend an event hosted by Ecotrust down in Portland. Ecotrust is one of my favorite non-profits to support. They do great work in a variety of areas, but I’m particularly excited about their Food and Farms program. They always think outside the box and innovate to change the food system to better serve people and the planet. One thing they’ve been focusing on recently is what they call the Ag of the Middle. The idea is to support and promote mid-size producers who are farming and ranching sustainably in order to get their products to wholesale markets like schools, hospitals and grocery stores. They’re doing this through their new food hub and distribution center, through classes for farmers, and by supporting regenerative agriculture. This approach has the potential to reach a much larger population that small farms can do through farmer’s markets and CSAs. It’s a bold idea, and it’s inspiring to think that maybe our broken food system can change for the better.
The event I attended was a tour of farms in the Willamette Valley run by Farmland LP. We toured several areas and learned about how crop rotation, diversified pasture plantings, and intentional livestock grazing can promote healthy soil and carbon sequestration. The cows and sheep on the pasture are not only living a humane, happy life, but are also serving to improve and maintain the quality of the land through fertilization and aeration. There are some great books about this type of farming here and here, that I’m looking forward to reading soon. I left at the end of the day feeling inspired to learn more about how our food system works and how to have a greater positive impact.
As much as I love this work, I sometimes feel like I’m not doing enough to have a concrete and measurable impact. I’m constantly reevaluating what I do and what I can do differently. I truly believe that it’s never too late. Lately I’ve been thinking about how I can learn more about sustainable agriculture and how I might shift my career more towards work that directly creates change. Maybe graduate school is on the horizon…who knows. Anyways, this is all to say, never stop exploring or striving to do better.
XO
*Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag photos of my recipes with #tendingthetable.
Corn and Shiso Fritters
Makes 6-8
INGREDIENTS
FOR THE FRITTERS
3 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk
1 pasture raised egg
3 tablespoons chickpea flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup corn kernals (see note)
6 shiso leaves, chopped
1-2 tablespoons avocado oil for frying
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon coconut sugar
PROCEDURE
FOR THE FRITTERS
In a medium bowl whisk together the coconut milk and egg until combined. Add the chickpea flour and salt and whisk again until smooth. Add the corn and shiso and stir to combine.
Heat the avocado oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add heaping spoonfuls of the batter to the hot pan and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 5-6 minutes.
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE
Combine the dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until the coconut sugar has dissolved.
Serve the fritters hot with the dipping sauce.
*You can use fresh or frozen corn here, but I recommend fresh and charred. To char the corn, cut it from the cob and cook on high in a cast iron skillet stirring occasionally until blackened in spots. This adds a nice smoky flavor to the fritters.
These look absolutely delicious. I doubled the recipe, subbing egg replacement and half quinoa flour and ww flour because I didn’t have any besan. After making four, I added another full cup of corn because they were just way too “floury” – I never got to the look in your pic, and mine were “ok” — would the flour and egg subs make that much of a difference?
Many of us who actually live close to farms don’t have access to things like fresh shisho leaves which I never heard of until this morning. Coconut sugar is also going to require mail order. I’m not saying to not include new, and to many of us, exotic ingredients, just to recognize that no all of your audience is urban.
I totally understand and am familiar with living in a rural area. My recipes are meant to reflect my lifestyle and what I eat and I’m sorry if they seem unapproachable to some. You can easily substitute basil, cilantro or mint for the shiso and brown sugar for the coconut sugar. Hope this helps.
Hmm, I live in Maine and we get our shiso plants at the local farm/plant nursery. They grow really well in my raised herb garden. It also goes by beefsteak plant and some people use it as a decorative plant so you might want to check around. It’s well worth searching for! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
You can grow shiso really easily. In fact some caution about it taking over and becoming invasive. If you don’t have coconut sugar just use the sweetener you have. You are simply making a batter and that can consist of many alternatives. You can even add some spices here. If you don’t have avocado oil, use the oil you have. This recipe was obviously designed for a particular palate and concern. Also if you don’t have shiso now, use basil or lovage. You can always start growing these things.
OH my gosh, these sound so very delicious. The flavor combo, how addictively snack-able they look, all of it. I love them, and love your thoughtful words, too.
Thanks so much! Very snackable indeed! XO
Wow! These fritters look so good😍
Hope you enjoy them!
New moon, New Year, new possibilities. I appreciate witnessing your inquiry and journey. I am with you, it is never too late!
Thanks! XO