Southernbatterbread Food

REAL SOUTHERN CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Put the skillet in the oven and preheat to 375 degrees.
• Combine the dry ingredients except for the baking soda in a bowl.
• In another bowl, mix the buttermilk and the baking soda.
• Set aside.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with the sugar until combined.
• Add the oil and mix until combined.
• Pour this mixture into the buttermilk/baking soda, and mix.
• When the oven is preheated, toss the butter into the skillet and let it melt.
• Meanwhile, pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix in as few strokes as it takes to just make the dough come together.
• Pull the skillet out of the oven, swirling to get the butter covering the bottom and up the sides of the skillet.
• Pour the batter immediately into the pan, smoothing the top, then back into the oven for about 25 minutes, or until golden brown and pulled away from the sides of the pan.
• Turn out onto a cutting board, cut into wedges and serve.
• NOTE: IMNSHO- cornbread isn't worth making if you don't make it in a cast-iron skillet.
• It may just be my upbringing, but it tastes better somehow.
• And please do not add the baking soda to the dry ingredients.
• I can't explain why, but adding it to the buttermilk makes a big difference in the texture.

SOUTHERN BATTER BREAD

Steps:

• Bring the water and margarine to a boil on the stove or in the microwave. While it is heating, combine the cornmeal, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Pour the boiling water into the cornmeal mixture. Stir it up quickly with a whisk to prevent lumps. The cornmeal will swell up and absorb the water. Slowly add the milk to the hot cornmeal. If you add it to fast it will wind up lmpy, which is not real bad, but it's better if you try to keep it smooth. So slowly stir in the milk, a little at a time. When all the milk is added, break the eggs into the bowl too. You don't add the eggs before the milk because the hot cornmeal will cook them. Beat up the batter until the eggs are well incorporated. Then turn the batter into a well oiled 2-quart casserole, or 8-inch square pan, or even a ten inch iron skillet. Bake the bread at 375F for abot40 minutes. The top will be nicely browned and the mixture will jiggle a little bit when you shake the pan. Take it out of the oven and serve it hot.

SOUTHERN SPOONBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 3-quart baking dish with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
• Combine the milk, water, salt and the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepot; bring to a boil. Add the cornmeal in a steady stream while whisking rapidly. Continue stirring until the mixture returns to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is very thick, 6 to 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the cheese and add hot sauce to taste.
• Crack the eggs into a small bowl and beat with a whisk. Add 1 cup of the hot cornmeal mixture to the eggs and whisk together to warm the eggs and prevent them from curdling when added to the pot. Continue adding spoonfuls of the hot cornmeal mixture to the bowl of eggs until it's warm to the touch; then whisk the egg mixture back into the pot. Stir in the chopped chives.
• Transfer the cornmeal mixture to the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes; or until puffed and lightly browned. Cool slightly before garnishing with chives and serving. This may also be baked in advance and reheated before serving.