Melt the margarine in a pan in the oven. Start by unwrapping the
margarine. Next choose a pan. I usually use a 10-inch iron skillet.
Other alternatives would be a 9-inch round cake pan or an 8-inch
square pan. Place the margarine into your chosen pan and put the pan
into the oven. Set the temperature to 400°. Keep the pan in the
oven until the margarine melts. Then remove it and set aside until needed.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the cornmeal, sugar, baking powder
and salt. Stir with a fork or clean hands until the baking powder and
salt are evenly distributed with the cornmeal.
In a separate bowl or large measuring cup combine the milk and eggs.
Beat well.
Pour the milk mixture into the cornmeal mixture. Stir until mostly smooth.
Pour the hot margarine into the batter. Leave a little bit of
margarine, less than 1-tablespoon, in the pan. Beat the batter until smooth.
Turn the batter into the hot greasy pan. Bake at 400° for 25 to
30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven
and cut into 8 or 9 or 12 pieces. Serve hot with plenty of margarine
and maybe some molasses. It's sweet enough to be dessert, especially
when drizzled with molasses.
Notes.
If you want to make plain cornbread then skip Step 1. Melt the
margarine in your microwave and then add it to the batter during Step
5. Be sure to grease your pan or coat it with non-stick cooking spray
so the cornbread won't stick to the baking pan. Bake as directed.
If you want to make muffins then prepare the batter as described in
Note 1 (directly above). Divide the batter evenly between 12 greased
muffin cups. The cups may be filled 3/4-full because the batter
doesn't rise especially high. Bake for about 20 minutes instead of
25. Nummy!
I almost always make this cornbread the way it's written in the
original recipe. This is the way my Granny made it and the way her
mom taught her to make it. I believe it makes the finished cornbread
more tender, but I might be biased. Since going gluten-free this is
my family's favorite cornbread recipe. They even like it better than
the cornbread I used to make that had added wheat flour.
And above
all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall
cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another
without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so
minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold
grace of God.--1 Peter 4:8-10
