Hot water cornbread is a popular bread choice for many families, especially those in the south. When the recipe for hot water cornbread (or johnny cakes) was passed down through the generations, so was the story of how this tasty soul food dish was created. The recipe is said to have been created out of poverty and lack. This could possibly be true since the recipe calls for only cornmeal, water and lard/shortening. Consequently, it is both a tasty and economical choice for any meal.
With a little creativity, one can make this southern bread a staple in a variety of meal plans. Consider some of these tasty but simple menu ideas.
Chili Over Hot Water Cornbread
Serves 4 people.
Ingredients:
- 4 cornbread cakes (1 per person)
- 1 can of chili
- ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup of sour cream
- ¼ cup of chopped green onions
Directions:
- Prepare hot water cornbread per recipe.
- While preparing cakes, heat chili.
- To serve, place one cake on each plate and top with about ½ cup of chili.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese and top with a dollop of sour cream.
- Finish by sprinkling a handful of chopped green onions on top.
Variations to this recipe might include using a chicken chili instead of a red chili, replacing green onions with either red or white, or adding jalapeno peppers or fresh chiles to the dish.
Hot Water Cornbread Breakfast
Serves 4 people.
Ingredients:
- 4 cornbread cakes (1 per person)
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups of diced potatoes
- ½ cup of shredded cheese
- ¼ cup of chopped green onions
- ½ cup of salsa
- ¼ cup of sour cream
Directions:
- Place diced potatoes in lightly greased baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in oven at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes. Be sure to turn potatoes half way through baking.
- While potatoes are baking, prepare cornbread cakes.
- When both potatoes and cakes are done, scramble eggs in lightly greased pan.
- To serve, place one cake on each plate. Top cakes with about ½ cup of potatoes and a ½ cup of eggs.
- Top with shredded cheese, two tablespoons of salsa and a dollop of sour cream.
- If desired, sprinkle with a handful of green onions.
Variations to this recipe might include adding a breakfast meat like breakfast sausage, ham or smoked bacon the dish. One might also include a fresh herb or spice like cilantro for stronger flavor.
Hot water cornbread can replace bread in almost any recipe. Consider replacing biscuits with hot water cornbread in a biscuits and gravy recipe, or pour creamed chicken over cakes for a unique version of a chicken pot pie.
