I've had the recipe for cornbread marked in the Bread Baker's Apprentice since the day that I got it. I love, love, love a little cornbread in my life, and I was excited to see what Peter Reinhart was going to do for cornbread. I'd planned on making this cornbread a couple of times last winter, but each time I opened the book to the cornbread recipe, and then I saw that there was an overnight autolyse of cornbread and buttermilk to get the cornbread going. Then I'd stomp my foot, and move on to a cornbread recipe that didn't require advance planning.
Well, this time around, I was ready. I gave myself the extra time, and I planned a meal of ribs and coleslaw to round out the cornbread. The cornbread is really very simple, it's a quick bread, and it was a nice break from all of the kneading that's been going on. Perhaps the most shocking thing about this recipe is the amount of sugar it calls for: 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white sugar, and 2 tablespoons of honey! Woah Nellie! I was a teensy bit worried that this was going to be a sugary sweet cornbread. (I'm not going to get into the sweet vs. not sweet cornbread debate here. I'll just say I like mine sweet-ish with a pat of salted butter.) Not to worry, this cornbread is just about perfect! The crumb is tender, it's just sweet enough, but not too sweet, and it was very well received around these parts!
Cornbread always makes me think of Scarlet O'Hara -- it seems like she's always eating a square of cornbread at any given point in Gone With the Wind. I think that Scarlett would approve of this bread. I thought it was just about perfect for anyone north or south of the Mason Dixon line, and I'm looking forward to making it again soon!
7 comments:
I'm glad that you liked this one so much! I thought it was good, but not my favorite cornbread. I did love the fresh corn in it, though.
We loved this cornbread too, especially hubs. The overnight thing is a major hurdle to this cornbread becoming the "usual" cornbread around here. Still, it was wonderful, and will show up on the menu on special occasions, and/or when I can remember to start the soaker. Yours looks fabulous! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!
Yum! We loved it too, although I didn't even think to check the recipe the night before so no soaking for me. It worked fine though.
We liked this one, too, but it wasn't my favorite. I'm more of a southern cornbread girl, and it was a tad too sweet. I also love mine with salted butter but I drizzle on some honey. I left my soaker in the fridge for a couple of days and it was fine.
Your cornbread looks great! I'm glad to see that others had success with this recipe, since it was a big failure for me. =)
Looks delicious. Glad you enjoyed this one.
We liked it and I will make it soon to actually GO with something. But not bacon.
Love your cornbread. You should submit it to the bread contest on my site. The winner gets a $179 Super Bread bread knife from New West Knifeworks. You can get more info here:
http://www.phamfatale.com/id_516/title_Pham-Fatale-Bread-Contest/
Let me know if you're interested. All I need is a photo of your bread (for voting) and the link to your recipe.
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