Hot Water Cornbread

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1 cup boiling water
• Oil (for frying)
• 1/4 cup butter (at room temperature)

Instructions

1. Combine cornmeal and salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir in hot water. Dough should be moist enough to hold a shape. Allow dough to cool enough to shape with your hands.
3. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of dough into the palm of one hand. Using both hands, shape the dough into a 1/2-inch thick oval and place on wax paper.
4. Heat 1/2 inch oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Slide cornbread patties into hot oil and cook until golden and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes.
6. Turn and cook until golden, about 3 minutes longer.
7. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
8. Brush with soft butter, if desired.