Mom Sampsons Spoonbread Food

SPOONBREAD

Steps:

• Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter a 1 1/2 quart souffle dish or casserole with 1 tablespoon of the butter and dust with 1 tablespoon of the cornmeal.
• In a medium saucepan, scald the half-and-half and remaining butter over medium-high heat. While whisking constantly, gradually pour in the cornmeal and salt. Lower the heat and simmer, while whisking, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Scrape the cornmeal mixture into a bowl and whisk in the egg yolks, one by one. Whisk in the baking powder, chives, and cayenne.
• In a clean non-reactive bowl, whip the egg whites to soft peaks. Lightly mix a quarter of the whites into the cornmeal mixture to lighten it, and then fold in the rest with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake until puffed and golden brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Serve immediately as a side dish or as a main course with tomato salad.
• In a large serving bowl, whisk together the vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Add the tomatoes, herbs, and scallions and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, if needed. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Serve.
• Yield: 4 servings
• Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

SPOON BREAD

Steps:

• Grease 2 quart casserole, set oven to 325 degrees.
• Cook corn meal with 2 cups of the milk until thickened.
• Remove from heat and add salt, baking powder, butter, and 1 cup milk.
• Add beaten egg yolks.
• Fold in stiff-beaten egg whites.
• Bake about 1 hour.
• Serve in warm dishes and top with butter.

CHEESY CORN SPOON BREAD

Steps:

• In a skillet, sauté onion in butter until tender; set aside.
• In a bowl, beat eggs; add sour cream, both cans of corn, salt and pepper.
• Stir in corn bread mix just until blended.
• Fold in sautéed onion, jalapeño and 1 1/2 cup cheese.
• Transfer to a greased shallow 3-quart baking dish.
• Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, at 375°F for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean; cool slightly.

CHEDDAR-CORN SPOON BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 2-quart souffle dish or casserole; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, milk, corn, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and cayenne. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cheese. Let cool until just warm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Stir in egg yolks until combined.
• In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites and a pinch of salt until soft peaks form. Stir 1/3 of the whites into cornmeal mixture until combined, then gently fold in the remaining whites with a rubber spatula. Pour into prepared dish.
• Place dish in oven; reduce oven heat to 375 degrees. Bake until browned on top but still slightly loose in the center, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

SPOONBREAD, MOM'S

Steps:

• 1. Stir milk into cornmeal in a saucepan. Place over moderate heat and stir until thick as mush. Remove from heat and add salt, baking powder and butter. Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl and stir into cornmeal mixture. Beat egg whites in another bowl until they peak and add sugar. Fold into the mixture. Turn out into greased casserole and bake about an hour until browned.
• 2. Note: Mom didn't put temperature, so perhaps 350? But check before an hour in case that cooks faster!