Mom’s Cornbread Crust
My mom makes the best cornbread crust. There are many different varieties of cornbread. Traditional cornbread with the perfect ratio of bread to crust, thick cornbread that is moist and cakey, sweet cornbread, cornbread with jalapenos and even sweet heat. (I think I am beginning to sound a little like Forrest Gump) Then there is Cornbread Crust. When you only want the crust and no filler. I love to eat this slathered in butter and sometimes dripping with honey.
My mom says it is very easy to make. Easy for her to say, she has been making this for years. There are only 2 ingredients: Martha White’s Hot Rize Cornmeal and Corn Oil. The trick is getting the batter to the right consistency with water and baking until it is just right. I have not perfected this yet, but will keep on trying until I get it right. I made mine in an 8″ skillet.
Ingredients
Martha White Self-Rising Hot Rize Corn Meal (the Hot Rize is important)
Corn Oil
Hot Water
Iron Skillet
Directions
Heat your oven to 450°. Pour enough oil to generously cover your skillet. You want it thick enough to see it run across the skillet as you are swirling to coat the bottom. Place skillet into the oven and let it heat while the oven comes to temperature.
Meanwhile, turn your tap water on and let it get hot. Put corn meal into a bowl. For my 8″ skillet, I used about 2/3 cup of corn meal. Once water gets good and hot add some to your corn meal a little at a time. You will want to stir and make your batter the consistency of pancake batter. (I needed to add just a little more water)
When the oven has reached temperature remove the pan and pour the hot oil into your batter. Give it a quick stir to incorporate. Pour the batter into the hot iron skillet and place it in the oven.
Bake for about 20 minutes. Check for doneness. The top should be nice and golden brown.
In the picture below, my Mom’s crust is on the left and mine is in the middle. Mine was a little on the dry side, which is why it has small cracks in it. Make notes as you go and when it turns out perfect, you will know how to make it perfect again. 😉
Cut, butter and enjoy!
