Hot Water Cornbread

Name: Hot Water Cornbread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 2 cups white or yellow cornmeal (fine or medium grind); 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp granulated sugar (optional); 1.5 cups boiling water; 1/2 cup vegetable oil or lard (for frying)

A timeless Southern staple: cornmeal patties mixed with boiling water and pan-fried until crisp and golden on the outside with a tender, steamy interior. Made with minimal ingredients and ready in minutes.

25 minEasyServes 4420 cal/serving

Southern AmericanSideStovetopVegetarianGluten-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeLow-SodiumAlcohol-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups white or yellow cornmeal (fine or medium grind)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp granulated sugar (optional)
1.5 cups boiling water
1/2 cup vegetable oil or lard (for frying)

Instructions

1

In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups white or yellow cornmeal (fine or medium grind), 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp granulated sugar (optional).
2

Pour 1.5 cups boiling water into the cornmeal mixture and stir quickly until a thick, cohesive dough forms. Let stand 2 minutes so the meal absorbs the water.
3

Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil or lard (for frying) in a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. You want about 1/4 inch of oil in the pan.
4

With wet hands, scoop and shape the dough into oval or round patties about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches wide.
5

Working in batches to avoid crowding, carefully lower the patties into the hot oil. Fry 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crisp. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
6

Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Serve hot with butter.

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Questions

What should Hot Water Cornbread look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until deep golden brown and crisp.

How many calories are in Hot Water Cornbread?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 420 calories, with 4 g protein, 48 g carbohydrate and 10 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 360 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Can I freeze Hot Water Cornbread?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Hot Water Cornbread within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Hot Water Cornbread?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Halved, the cornmeal drops from 2 cups to 1 cup; doubled, it is 4 cups. Every line in this entry carries its half and double quantity, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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