A History of American Cuisine, Part I
Note in the recipe the absence of “Clabber Girl” or other baking powder. The use of aluminum sulfate in baking powder introduces a “metallic” off-flavor, so soda and tartar are used instead to boost leavening. Still, this is not a puffy cake.
Basic Southern Skillet Cornbread
> (adapted from a recipe by John and Matt Thorne in Serious Pig)
Put a well-oiled* 8-inch cast-iron skillet in a 450-degree oven for 5 minutes.
1 cup white corn meal
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t cream of tartar
1/2 t sea salt
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk, or yogurt mixed with milk
(*1 T bacon grease, lard or peanut oil for the skillet)
>> Whisk the egg, adding liquid, then pour the dry ingredients through a strainer to remove lumps, and whisk again.
>> When the pan is ready, remove — hot! — pour batter in, then bake for 15-20 minutes. Bread should be set and golden brown when done.
>> Remove from oven, and invert over a cutting board (otherwise it will continue to cook and become dry). Allow to cool 1-2 minutes before slicing. Serve hot, with butter.
This was the simplest recipe I’ve ever encountered. I was skeptical.
But omigod. I’m now a devout believer. It was the best cornbread I’ve ever tasted, so good we ignored most of the meal, cutting off and buttering little wedges until we felt like Thanksgiving turkeys ready for the oven. (We were also testing Organic Valley “cultured butter,” which is the perfect accompaniment.) Simpler is not just better; it is heaven.
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Humboldt Educare Valentine's Spaghetti Dinner and Auction
food, for kids / 3-6 p.m. Portuguese Hall, 1185 11th St., Arcata. Help benefit Humboldt Educare preschool with dinner (vegetarian and meat options), a bake sale, silent auction, and cash-only wine bar. Arts, crafts and games available for children. Bringing own dishes suggested in effort to reduce waste. $10/$5 Children. E-mail alg2@humboldt.edu. 822-6447.
Mad River Grange Breakfast
food / 8-11 a.m. Mad River Grange, 110 Hatchery Road, Blue Lake. Pancake breakfast. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. $4. 668-1906.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
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