Dutch Oven Cornbread With Fig Jam Food

DUTCH OVEN BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together, and then add the creamed corn, buttermilk, and eggs, and mix thoroughly.
• Position a 10-inch or 12-inch Dutch oven over where the fire on your grill will be, and then arrange 15 charcoal briquettes around the bottom. Heat the Dutch oven over the fire.
• Melt the lard in the Dutch oven, and then add the batter. The lard will rise up the edges and spill onto the top of the batter. Cover the Dutch oven and place 10 coals on the lid. Cook for about 30 minutes, or until the bread is brown and firm.
• If using a cast iron skillet in the oven instead, preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place the skillet in the oven, melt the lard, and then add the batter. Do not cover. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Serve warm.

FIG JAM

Steps:

• Place the figs in a large pot or a Dutch oven and add the water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the figs are completely soft and tender, about 15 minutes.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade or in a blender, purée the figs and their cooking liquid (if using a blender, don't fill the jar more than halfway, as the hot liquid might burst through the top when the blender is turned on). Or, pass the figs through a food mill.
• Return the purée to the pot. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from burning on the bottom, until the jam is thick appears slightly jelled. (Because figs are low in pectin, the wrinkle test, page 256, won't work with this jam.)
• Ladle the jam into clean jars. Cover tightly, let cool, and refrigerate.
• Storage
• The jam will keep for at least 6 months in the refrigerator.
• Variation
• Before ladling into jars, stir in 1/2 cup (80 g) coarsely chopped Soft-Candied Citrus Peel (page 253) made with lemons.