Cornmeal Fried Fish Food

BETTER THAN GRANNIE'S CREAMED CORN

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, sweat the onion in butter and salt until translucent.
• In a large mixing bowl, place a paper bowl in the middle of the bowl. Resting the cob on the bowl in a vertical position remove only the tops of the kernel with a knife, using long smooth downward strokes and rotating the cob as you go. After the cob has been stripped, use the dull backside of your knife to scrape any remaining pulp and milk off the cob.
• Add the corn and pulp mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium high until the juice from the corn has tightened. Add the rosemary. Sprinkle the corn with the sugar and turmeric. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the cornmeal onto the corn, using a whisk to combine well. Add the heavy cream and cook until the corn has softened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the rosemary. Season with freshly ground black pepper.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH

Steps:

• Stir together the milk and 1 heaping tablespoon of the House Seasoning. Pour the milk mixture into a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the filets. Spread the filets in an even layer in the dish, turning to coat each side. Let marinate for about 1 hour in a cool place or the refrigerator.
• Pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven to come 2 inches up the side. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the pot and heat over medium-high heat until the thermometer reaches 370 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, stir together the cornmeal, flour and remaining 1 heaping tablespoon House Seasoning in a paper bag. Working with a few filets at a time, remove them from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them in the paper bag and gently turn the bag over several times until the filets are evenly coated with the cornmeal mixture. Remove the filets and place them on a baking sheet while you repeat the process with the remaining filets.
• Working in batches, fry the filets until golden brown and crisp on the outside and moist and flaky inside, adjusting the heat to maintain temperature, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to drain. Serve the filets with lemon wedges.
• Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

CLASSIC CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil.
• Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg, vegetable oil and buttermilk, then fold into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes before serving.

CORNMEAL BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

Steps:

• Set a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with two layers of parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Rub 2 tablespoons of the butter into the flour mixture with your fingertips, until it is completely incorporated. Work the remaining butter into the flour until it's in even, pea-sizes pieces. Gently stir in the buttermilk to make a loose dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Pat the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick rectangle. Fold the dough in thirds like a business letter. Pat the dough into a 5 by 8-inch rectangle about 3/4 inch thick. Use a 2- to 3-inch round cutter to make 6 biscuits, and put biscuits on the prepared baking sheet. Press together the scraps of dough, cut 2 more biscuits, and place them on the baking sheet.
• Bake until the tops are lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly on a rack before serving.

CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl place the cornmeal, flour, grated carrot and salt. Mix these ingredients until blended together. Make a well in the cornmeal mixture and add water, knead until the dough is firm to the touch. Cover the bowl with a cloth or tea towel and set aside. Place a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and let melt. Once butter has melted add the thyme, pimento peppers, grated carrot, vegetable stock, tomato paste, coconut milk, Angostura bitters and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil.
• Once boiling reduce heat to medium, place the dumplings into the pot cover. Cook for 15 minutes. The dumplings will rise to the surface when they are done. To Plate: Pour this delicious concoction into bowls and serve.

CORNMEAL BISCUITS

Steps:

• Whisk 1 1/3 cups flour, 1/3 cup cornmeal, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of cayenne. Work in 6 tablespoons diced cold butter with your fingers until crumbly. Stir in 2/3 cup half-and-half and 1 tablespoon honey; let sit 5 minutes. Pat into a 1/2-inch-thick square on a floured surface and cut into 8 pieces; shape into rounds and brush with half-and-half. Bake at 425 degrees F on a parchment-lined baking sheet until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

CORNMEAL PANCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a large bowl. Whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined to make a thick batter.
• In another bowl, whip the egg whites until they hold soft peaks. Use a rubber spatula to fold the whites into the batter just until no white streaks remain.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and brush lightly with butter. Working in batches, drop about 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the tops of the pancakes and the undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the pancakes are cooked through, about 1 minute more. Transfer the cooked pancakes to the oven to keep warm and continue to make more pancakes, brushing the skillet with butter as needed, until all the batter has been used. Serve the pancakes with blackberries and maple syrup.