Skillet Cornbread

I could not think of a better way to start off my new blog, "Cornbread and Kugel," than with recipes for my two title food items.

I must be honest.  When it comes to cornbread, that little blue box of Jiffy is about as far as I go.  It is easy, cheap, and dependable.  I've added corn, jalapenos, broccoli & cheese, you name it and it always comes out good.  But, for the sake of the blog I'll give you a recipe for something more difficult and substantial.

Skillet Cornbread
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening

Preheat oven to 450 F. In a bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt and baking powder and stir together. Measure the buttermilk and milk in a measuring cup and add the egg.  Stir together with a fork.  Add the baking soda to the milk mixture and stir.  Pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients.  Stir with a fork until just combined.  Do not overstir. In a small bowl, melt 1/4 cup of the shortening in the microwave. Slowly add the melted shortening to the batter, stirring constantly until just combined. In an iron skillet over high heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons shortening.  Pour the batter into the hot skillet and spread to even out the surface.  Cook on the stovetop for 1 minute, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.  The edges should be crispy.  Variation: stir in 1 small can diced green chilies or 1 diced fresh jalapeno into the cornbread batter before pouring it into the skillet.

This recipe is poached from "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" by Ree Drummond.  If you have not yet found her blog stop reading this right now and click here, The Pioneer Woman.  This is, by far, my favorite blog to read.  She is hilarious, and a great cook/photographer.  I have tried a lot of her recipes and never been disappointed.  And, she kind of makes me want to home school my children... kind of... okay, not really, but maybe in another life.  If you click on the link in the name of the recipe you will see her step-by-step photos of how to make this cornbread.