Cookbook:Southern Cornbread

| United States | Southern U.S. cuisine | Texas cuisine | Bread

Southern Cornbread is a hearty, unsweetened variety of cornbread, widely served in the Southeastern United States. It is easy to make and is usually served as the bread portion of lunch or dinner (supper). It is not unusual for some people to occasionally have a simple, quick meal—even breakfast—by crumbling cornbread into a glass of buttermilk and eating it.

Ingredients

 * 2 cups yellow or white self-rising corn meal
 * 1 large egg
 * 1¼–1½ cups buttermilk or whole milk
 * ¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil

Equipment

 * Well-seasoned 8-inch or 10-inch cast-iron skillet (alternately: an ovenproof skillet or an 8x8-inch baking pan)
 * Assorted measuring cups
 * Medium or large mixing bowl

Procedure

 * 1) Preheat the oven to 425°F. If using cast-iron skillet, place it in the oven to heat. Do not preheat other types of skillets or baking pans.
 * 2) If using non-cast-iron skillet or baking pan, coat with a non-stick spray.
 * 3) Beat egg in the bowl. Stir in buttermilk and oil.
 * 4) Stir in the cornmeal and mix until just moistened. The batter will be somewhat lumpy. Take care not to overmix.
 * 5) Pour the batter into the skillet and place in the oven.
 * 6) Bake until crust is a light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. For an 8-inch skillet this can be 25–30 minutes; for a 10-inch skillet or an 8x8-inch baking pan about 20–25 minutes.
 * 7) Allow to cool for 5 minutes in pan before serving.

Notes, tips, and variations

 * Any leftover cornbread can be wrapped in a damp towel (to keep it moist) and stored in the refrigerator for several days. It can be frozen in storage bags for several months, but will usually become more crumbly if stored this way.