2 parts flour : 2 parts liquid : 1 part egg

When I was in high school, my mom randomly brought home a book one day. I won’t call it a “diet” book–it was more like a fitness plan. She read it and then I, curious, read it as well. It was a smart plan, based on solid science of the body, and we were both inspired. We knew we could be living and eating better (at the time, I was hardly eating at all), so we decided to partner up and start taking care of ourselves. Six days each week, we got up together at 4am and exercised, alternating between cardio and lifting.  We ate several small meals throughout the day and I stopped counting calories.  As part of the plan outlaid in this book, it was also required that one day per week be a free day.

And by free, I mean free.

Eat as much as you want, whatever you want, whenever you want.

So every Sunday we did just that, all day long until we couldn’t eat a single bite more.  We would start off those free days by waking well before the sun rose and driving to the bakery at our local grocery store.  More often than not, we’d get there before they finished stocking the case and would have to wait.  No matter.  After a week of tuna, turkey burgers, and brown rice, those warm, freshly glazed doughnuts were so worth it.  We’d each grab a couple (it was a free day after all), but the only one I truly cared about, the one that gave those trips meaning, was my blueberry fritter.

It was just like an apple fritter, all knobbly and sticky, but with a purple tint and that heavenly berry flavor.  I often wish that I had flown back and eaten a baker’s dozen before I went gluten-free.  I never really got a chance to say good-bye….

But that’s the beauty of being able to create recipes (with the help of ratios!).  You can bring yourself back to a moment, enjoy a taste of something you know you’ll never experience again.

These blueberry fritters are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweet from the glaze.  While they may not be the massive doughy treat I once so loved, they definitely recall that time for me: the excitement of those early mornings with my mom, her foot pressing on the imaginary passenger side break as I drove us to get our doughnuts.  Of course I can’t go back–and I’ll never have one of those fritters again–but maybe one day I can share some of these with her and we can remember that time together.

Blueberry Fritters
Makes 16-18 fritters 

This fritter batter, right up until the vanilla, can be used for any filling that you like–sweet or savory.  If your filling of choice is particularly wet, you may want to reduce the liquid a bit, but feel free to add spices or extracts as you see fit.  For my blueberry version, I like to use frozen berries because they help to give the batter a pretty purple tint.

Fritters

About 3 cups canola or vegetable oil, for frying
2 oz millet flour
1 oz brown rice flour
1 oz tapioca flour
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
4 oz milk
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 oz frozen blueberries

Pour about an inch and a half of oil in a cast iron skillet (or a dutch oven or deep saute pan) and set it over medium heat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the millet, brown rice and tapioca flours, the xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt.  In a small bowl, whisk together the mik, egg, and vanilla.  Add the flour to the milk mixture, whisking until thoroughly combined.  Place the blueberries in same bowl in which the flours were mixed.  Pour the batter on top of the blueberries and stir to evenly distribute.

Drop batter into the oil in tablespoon measurements, adding no more than 6 at a time so as not to overcrowd the pan.  The fritters should take 3-5 minutes on each side to reach a very deep brown.  It is important that they take this much time so that they cook through entirely.  Adjust the heat under the oil as necessary.

Remove finished fritters to a paper towel lined plate to drain briefly, then transfer to a wire rack set over a piece of waxed or parchment paper to be glazed.  Allow to cool at least slightly before eating; these fritters will hold up well over extended periods at room temperature.

Glaze

1 cup confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small bowl, whisk the confectioner’s sugar with the milk and vanilla until smooth.  Drizzle over hot fritters, using just enough to coat the top and drip down the sides.

This is a very very good month to be rallying.  Doughnuts and fritters, people!  Meg from GF Boulangerie was our thoroughly wonderful host this month.  Please, go, run and check out all the other delicious links from the other participants on her site.  Just a taste of what you’ll find: peach cider doughnuts, sweet pepper and pancetta fritters, and brioche doughnuts with italian plum jam.  Swoon.  (If you’re still here, kindly wipe the drool from your chin and start clicking.)

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