Southern Cornbread

Ingredients:
2 cups corn meal
3 cups boiling water *
½ cup sugar
2 tsp. salt
3 beaten eggs
½ cup melted butter
2 cups evaporated milk

Directions:
Quickly stir boiling water into corn bead with a wisk or slotted spoon, blending thoroughly. Add melted butter, sugar and salt; continue to blend. Add beaten eggs and incorporate thoroughly. Add milk and stir until blended. Turn into buttered 9-inch square pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes, or longer, until done. Test doneness by inserting a knife in the center. When the knife comes out clean, the cornbread is ready. Serves 9-12.

*by this, Frances really means boiling, not just hot, because it helps to cook the raw meal and following this step correctly is critical to obtaining satisfactory results.

c:2000AnnWilmer-Times Of Our Lives, Christmas Issue