Cherry Cornmeal Slump Or Grunt Food

CHERRY COBBLER WITH ALMOND-BUTTERMILK TOPPING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. Place the cherries in a large bowl, and add the sugar, lemon juice and all-purpose flour. Carefully mix them together with a rubber spatula or a large spoon until the sugar and flour have dissolved into the liquids. Transfer to the baking dish, making sure to scrape out all of the liquid in the bowl.
• Sift all of the dry ingredients for the topping. If some of the cornmeal and almond flour remain in the sifter, just dump it into the bowl with the sifted flours. Place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, and pulse a few times. Add the butter, and pulse to cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse cornmeal. Turn on the food processor, and pour in the buttermilk with the machine running. As soon as the dough comes together, stop the machine.
• Spoon the topping over the cherries by the heaped tablespoon. The cherries should be just about covered but may peek out here and there. Place in the oven, and bake 35 to 40 minutes until the top is nicely browned and the cherries are bubbling. Remove from the heat, and allow to cool to warm before serving. Serve warm (heat in a low oven for 15 minutes if necessary before serving).

CHERRY-CORNMEAL SLUMP (OR GRUNT)

Steps:

• Put the cherries, 1/3 cup sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water in a large skillet over medium heat; you can also put the skillet on the grill or over a campfire. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices have released, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, a pinch salt and remaining sugar in a bowl, or pulse once or twice in a food processor. Add the butter, and process for 10 seconds or until mixture is well blended. Add the egg and vanilla; mix until combined.
• When the cherry mixture is thickened slightly, dollop the batter over the top, and cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Cook, undisturbed, until the dumplings are cooked through, and their tops are dry (not sticky), 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or yogurt.

BLACKBERRY GRUNT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place a piece of foil on the bottom rack of the oven to catch any drippings.
• Place the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda into the bowl of a food processor and process for 3 to 4 pulses. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and, using your hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until about half of the fat disappears and the rest is left in pea-size pieces. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the buttermilk and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon just until it comes together. Turn the mixture out onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper that has been lightly dusted with flour, shape into a ball and wrap and store in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
• Combine the blackberries, sugar, water and ginger in a large mixing bowl. Pour the mixture into a 10-inch cast iron skillet and place over medium heat. Bring this to a simmer decrease the heat to medium low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the liquid is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Retrieve the dough from the refrigerator and gently drop it on the fruit mixture using a 1-ounce disher or large spoon, evenly distributing it over the top. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is just starting to brown. Remove from the oven and allow the grunt to cool for 15 to 30 minutes before serving.