Alden's Grandmother's Cornbread

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/4 cup bacon grease or 1/4 cup vegetable oil or 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 cups cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 450 degrees f.
• 2 place the bacon grease in a 10-inch black cast iron skillet and swirl to coat the sides and bottom evenly.
• 3 place skillet in the oven to heat.
• 4 in a bowl, combine the cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pepper and mix well.
• 5 in a small bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter.
• 6 add to dry ingredients and stir just to combine.
• 7 remove the hot skillet from the oven, carefully swirl to evenly distribute hot grease, and quickly pour the cornmeal batter into the skillet.
• 8 bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until firm and golden brown on top.
• 9 let sit for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a cutting board.
• 10 cut into wedges and serve hot with butter on the side.