Okay, my friend Mercelle, sent out a blast email the other day asking for
Hot Water Cornbread recipes. Seemed like an honest inquiry to me. But, I was shocked by how many people replied "I have no idea what you're talking about."
It got me to thinking that a) I'm getting old, b) We aren't listening to our elders and c) I sure do miss my mama.
I don't mean to lecture and who am I to say what is and is not black culture, but, folks, hot water cornbread should be to Black folks what corn beef and cabbage is to the Irish!
That said, I went to my good friend "google," and found a flurry of recipes for
Hot Water Cornbread. Because, you see, I wasn't paying attention either when my mother was making her delicious hot water cornbread. It wasn't just the cornbread itself that was so amazing but the way she patted it with her hands (never burning herself) and formed those amazing patties that she would fry up crispy and not greasy.
Enjoy!
Hot Water CornbreadIngredients:
1 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar 1 tablespoon shortening
3/4 cup boiling water Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, and sugar. Add boiling water and shortening; stir until shortening melts.
2. Pour oil or bacon fat to a depth of 1/2 inch in a large skillet and heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Shape cornmeal mixture into flattened balls using a heaping tablespoon as a measuring guide. Fry each in hot oil, turning once, until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve at once with maple syrup or honey.
