The aroma of crackling cornmeal in a cast-iron skillet takes me again to my grandmother Ethel’s kitchen in Jefferson Metropolis, Missouri. On crisp morning visits, she’d serve golden-brown slices of fried cornmeal mush, crispy on the skin and creamy inside. This humble dish, born from Despair-era resourcefulness, stays certainly one of my most treasured breakfast recollections.
A recipe forward of its time!
Are you searching for a gluten-, dairy-free, and egg-free breakfast menu merchandise? This can be an excellent choice for you. Whereas cornmeal mush has been related to being a meals of the poor, and pan-fried cornmeal mush is a flavorful breakfast. It is a heat breakfast that can fill the bellies of your loved ones.
Fried cornmeal mush has a crispy exterior and is tender and moist inside. This may be topped with butter, fried in bacon grease, and even topped with maple syrup if you wish to take pleasure in it candy.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Versatile: Take pleasure in it candy with maple syrup or savory with butter and salt
- Finances-Pleasant: Utilizing easy pantry staples, this recipe feeds a household for pennies per serving
- Dietary-Pleasant: Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free
- Make-Forward: Put together the cornmeal loaf the evening earlier than for fast morning frying
The historical past behind the dish
Earlier than turning into a Despair-era staple, cornmeal mush was a present from Native American tribes to early American settlers. The dish crossed cultural boundaries, remodeling into Italian polenta and Southern grits. Throughout the Civil Warfare, each armies relied on this hearty, economical meals for sustenance.
Recipe components for this fried cornmeal mush recipe
Right here’s an inventory of what you want:
- Yellow Cornmeal, Martha White really useful – Gives the principle construction and creates the signature texture
- Water – Chilly water prevents lumps, boiling water gelatinizes the cornmeal
- Salt – Enhances taste and helps steadiness the pure sweetness of corn
- Sugar – Provides delicate sweetness and helps obtain higher browning
- Vegetable oil for frying – Creates the crispy golden-brown exterior
Easy methods to Make Fried Cornmeal Mush
- Carry water to a boil over excessive warmth in a medium saucepan
- Mix cornmeal, chilly water, salt, and sugar in a bowl.
- Regularly add the cornmeal combination to the boiling water, stirring continuously.
- Prepare dinner the cornmeal till thick.
- Scale back warmth, cowl the pan, and cook dinner for 5 extra minutes, stirring continuously.
- Pour the cooked cornmeal right into a loaf pan.
- Cool the cornmeal, then refrigerate it for a number of hours or in a single day.
- Take away the cornmeal from the loaf pan,
- Slice cornmeal mush into 1/4-inch slices.
- Warmth oil in a skillet.
- Fry the cornmeal slices slowly within the sizzling oil over medium-high warmth till browned, turning them over as soon as whereas frying.
Serve selfmade fried mush sizzling with butter and syrup.
Professional Ideas for Success
- Preserve the warmth medium-low whereas frying to realize a crispy crust with out burning
- Don’t crowd the pan; go away house between slices
- Pat slices dry earlier than frying to forestall oil splatter
- Use a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet for one of the best browning
Frequent Questions and Troubleshooting
Q: Why is my mush too comfortable to slice? A: Guarantee correct cornmeal-to-water ratio and ample chilling time.
Q: How do I stop the slices from falling aside? A: Minimize cleanly with a pointy knife and deal with gently when frying.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cornmeal Varieties: Whereas yellow cornmeal is conventional, white cornmeal works too
- Cooking Fats: Strive bacon grease for further taste
- Gluten-Free: Already naturally gluten-free, no modifications wanted
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter for serving
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Unfried mush retains as much as 5 days refrigerated
- Freezing: Slice earlier than freezing, separate with parchment paper
- Reheating: Already fried slices will be reheated in a 350°F oven till sizzling
Serving Recommendations
Candy Toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Recent berries
- Whipped cream
Savory Additions:
- Butter and salt
- Cheese and herbs
- Fried eggs
- Bacon or sausage
Scaling the Recipe
- For smaller households, halve the recipe utilizing a smaller loaf pan
- For bigger teams, preserve the identical ratios however use a number of pans
- The fundamental ratio is 1 cup of cornmeal to three cups of water
Searching for extra methods to make use of cornmeal? Strive these recipes!
Well-liked Breakfast Recipes
Try my simple breakfast recipes and my favourite household recipes right here on CopyKat!
