This is great bread for any meal, but one of my favorite ways to eat it is crumbled up in a big bowl with really cold milk. Mmmm! Beth likes it cold with buttermilk. Now that’s just wrong!
Recipe information
Yield
serves 8
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Step 2
Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a well-seasoned 9-inch cast-iron skillet (see Note) and place over medium-high heat. Put the cornmeal in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the cornmeal and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. With a fork, stir in enough of the buttermilk to make a batter that is thick but can be easily poured into the hot skillet. You may not need all 3 cups.
Step 3
Carefully pour the batter into the skillet. The oil will come up around the edges. Use the back of a spoon to smooth this over the top of the batter. Continue to heat on the stovetop for 1 minute, and then transfer the skillet to the oven and bake the corn bread for 20 minutes, or until browned on top. Immediately turn the cornbread out onto a cooling rack to keep the crust crisp.
Note
Step 4
Season a new cast-iron skillet by coating the inside with vegetable shortening (not butter) and heating the pan in a very hot oven (450°F) for 1 hour. Cool the skillet and wipe off any excess oil before using. To care for a seasoned skillet, wipe the interior after each use. Do not soak it in soapy water or put it in the dishwasher.
