From Miss Mary’s Kitchen…
Spoonbread
When someone mentions the words 'comfort food', what comes to mind for you? Is it that special dish, lovingly prepared by your mother or grandmother? Maybe it's what many of us have come to associate with the phrase - foods like mashed potatoes, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese or fried chicken. Regardless of your preference, comfort foods are special, no matter how they came to be that "something" you yearn for.
A good friend of Mother's (and my godmother), "Aunt" Ethyl, was one who always shared her recipes, and her love for cooking was evident in each one. This recipe was one that she particularly liked to serve with fried quail. Her husband and Daddy frequently hunted together, and it became the responsibility of Mother and Aunt Ethyl to prepare this "special" meal on those occasions. There were often other close friends invited to join us (depending on the men's accuracy of shot), so it was usually a dinner table ringing with much laughter and the feeling of warmth that comes from close friendship.
Thus is the story of my association of 'comfort food' with Spoonbread. Every time I prepare it, I can hear the stories told around that table and recall how special a time that was.
This dish probably fits best in a bread category, but can easily serve as a side dish instead of a vegetable. It is important to note that, as was the case with those memorable fried quail dinners, this is to be served hot, and with lots of butter!
SPOONBREAD
Serves 4
2 c. boiling water
1 c. yellow cornmeal
3 T. butter
1 t. salt
3 beaten eggs
1 c. milk
Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly add cornmeal to water. Use a whisk to remove any lumps, stirring until thick and creamy. Add butter and salt, remove from heat and cool the mixture to lukewarm. Once cooled, add eggs and milk. Pour the mixture into a greased 8" square pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Spoon out while hot, and serve with butter.
Mary Bentley
"Good Food...Good for the Soul"
From Miss Mary's Kitchen Recipes available at her blogsite - http://frommissmaryskitchen.blogspot.com/
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thecherokeeconnection.com
