Showing posts with label Kentucky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kentucky. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Appalachian Spoon Bread

Photo: Haggicentric

Spoon bread is a popular Appalachian side dish probably of Native American origin. Lighter than cornbread, it's a cross between a soufflè and Yorkville pudding. Neither a bread nor a dessert, the dish goes well with a beef stew dinner or a breakfast with butter and syrup. The recipe below is traditional Appalachian and linked, but unfortunately uncredited. Here's how to make it the authentic way (yet feel free to substitute yellow cornmeal and baking soda if the ingredients are all you have in your cupboard. Yes, it will change the texture, but you can still eat it.):

Appalachian Spoon Bread

Ingredients:

Photo: Only In Your State
2 3/4 milk
1 cup white cornmeal
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, separated
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 pinch salt

Directions:

1) In a saucepan on a stovetop heat the milk and cornmeal, whisking constantly until thick and creamy. Turn the heat off and whisk in the 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of salt. Let the mixture cool a bit.

2) In a mixing bowl whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar and whisk the egg yolk mixture into the cooled cornmeal mixture.

3) In a separate mixing bowl use an electric mixer to beat together the egg whites, 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar, and a pinch of salt until the egg whites form peaks, then fold the egg whites into the cornmeal mixture.

Photo: Only In Your State
4) Pour into a large buttered cast iron skillet (or buttered dutch oven).

5) Bake in a 350-degree F preheated oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Eat the spoon bread warm and the leftovers cold the next day. Soft, moist, filling, and delish! This is a keeper recipe and that's why it's on the blog, so we can all return here to make it now and again.


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Friday, September 4, 2020

The Kentucky Derby 2020

Photo: AP
The one and only time I attended the Kentucky Derby was when I was 16 years old. My high school friend, also a Debbie, had an adventurous mom who was brave enough to take 4 teenagers to Churchhill Downs with 1000s of other people. We had fun, and our chaperon did too. Hours before the race we watched a young man climb up a tall metal light pole and take off all his clothes, tossing them to the ground and then watched the police wait for him to climb down to take him away. Poor naked lad, he missed the race! All in all a mellow crowd, the excitement saved for the race itself. Near the start of the race, my namesake and I separated from our group of 5 to find a spot pressed against the fence in the infield to watch the horses run by, and we succeeded, as the spot we randomly selected turned out to be the starting gate that becomes the finish line! The rest of our party decided to watch the race on big television screens set up under a roof area. This was a time before cell phones, yet we knew exactly where to find each other after the race ... the cashiers' widows to cash in our winning tickets!💰💸🤑

Every year I long to go back to the Kentucky Derby but must watch it on television. This year I'm not alone. Nobody gets to go to the Derby, and we will all have to watch the 2-minute race at home.

So to celebrate the 146th running of the historic race, I'm going to hook you up with 2 traditional Derby cheese dips to eat in the comfort of your living room: 1st up is Benedictine Cheese dip. You can leave it as cheese dip. It is also popular to make Benedictine Tea sandwiches:

Benedictine Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

Bluegrass Bites here
1-8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 peeled, seeded, drained, and finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup minced onion (or green onions)
1/4 cup finely chopped dill
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise (regular is fine, but do not substitute flavorless non-fat mayonnaise ... never buy it!)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
A shake (or to taste) of hot sauce (I use Louisana hot sauce, but Tobasco is used too, or to tone down the heat, you can use black pepper to taste ... but why would you?)
Optional: a couple drops of green food coloring

Fresh slices of bread if you make sandwiches, or vegetable sticks and crackers for a dip.

Directions:
Teatime magazine here.

Chop everything as finely as possible and using a potato masher, mix it up in a bowl. (Yes, you can use a food processor if you wish.) 

This simple cheese dip makes delicious sandwiches, but I do not know why as you would not think so!

For the 2nd authentic Derby cheese dip: Kentucky Beer Cheese, I must turn you over to Chef John. His video is so much fun to watch, it is not to be missed. Sooo tasty too!

Below are links to some of the other traditional Kentucky Derby eats I prepare (at times someone brings) whenever I invite friends over to watch the race ... normally held on the 1st Saturday in May. This year our COVID pandemic postponed the Derby, which will run on Saturday, September 5th without any spectators at Churchhill Downs. The loading of the horses into the starting gates happens at 6PM. The race begins around 6:30PM. Check local listings for all the Derby coverage if you wish to see features about the horses, jockeys and owners.🌹

So this year like no other, we are all equal and in it together watching from the comfort of a couch!🙂


You may also enjoy:
Since 1875: The Kentucky Derby (see for history and main course recipes)
Louisville After The Kentucky Derby
The Pegasus Parade Before The Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Favorites: Hot Brown And Chocolate Pecan Pie