Cornbread is a frequent dinner table item in the southern and southwest states. But what about hot water cornbread? That doesn’t happen every day! What exactly is hot water cornbread?
A Southern favorite is hot water cornbread. It’s simple to prepare and goes well with almost any meal. Anyone can create this meal because of its basic ingredient list and easy preparation.
Furthermore, did you know that this food dates back to Native Americans? Are you ready to learn how to manufacture it as well? Continue reading!
Contents
- Where Does Hot Water Cornbread Come From?
- What Are the Ingredients for Hot Water Cornbread?
- How to Make Hot Water Cornbread?
- Hot Water Cornbread Vs Regular Cornbread
- Is Hot Water Cornbread Healthy?
- Tips for Delicious Hot Water Cornbread
- How to Store Hot Water Cornbread
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
- What is Hot water cornbread made of?
- What’s the difference between cornbread and Hot water cornbread?
- Why is it called Hot water cornbread?
- Where did Hot water cornbread come from?
- What’s the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread?
- How do you make hot water?
- What is the secret to moist cornbread?
- Why is Southern cornbread not sweet?
- Why is my hot water cornbread falling apart?
- Why do you put milk in cornbread?
Where Does Hot Water Cornbread Come From?
Before European invaders came in the Americas, Native Americans had been eating maize for thousands of years. Cornbread was one of the numerous recipes produced by the indigenous peoples.
Many of those dishes were later adopted by the settlers when they arrived. Hot water cornbread has become a beloved meal among southerners throughout the years.
It has been a staple of the southern cuisine since before 1780.
Hoecakes are another name for hot water cornbread. The name stems from the fact that they were initially cooked over a wood fire on the flat end of a hoe.
Hot water cornbread is still popular in the southern states today. Outside of these areas, it might be difficult to discover!
Some individuals prefer it to other sorts because it tastes fresher and lighter than baked or deep-fried counterparts. Others enjoy it because of its unique texture or flavor.
What Are the Ingredients for Hot Water Cornbread?
The components in hot water cornbread are what distinguishes it. You won’t need much and will still finish up with a wonderful lunch!
Hot water cornbread takes simply cornmeal, light oil, and heated water. That’s all there is to it!
If desired, season with a pinch of salt or sugar. However, all you’ll need to make this recipe is water and cornmeal.
It has a primarily sugarless and salty flavor. It’s also crisper on the outside and moister on the interior than other cornbreads.
How to Make Hot Water Cornbread?
You’re missing out if you haven’t tried hot water cornbread yet! Fortunately, you just need a few ingredients and you’ll have a fantastic addition to your other meals in 15 minutes.
Heres a list of the ingredients youll need:
- Two cups of fine cornmeal
- Two cups of water
- Vegetable oil
- One tablespoon of salt
- A large iron skillet
Next, follow these steps:
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil and set it aside to cool. Don’t let the water cold.
- Before adding anything else, combine the cornmeal and salt in a mixing dish.
- Pour the boiling water over the dry ingredients after you’ve finished mixing.
- Mix well, then set aside for approximately five minutes to enable the mixture to cool.
- Preheat the oil in the iron skillet over medium heat while you wait for the mixture to cool.
- Cover your hands with oil and roll the dough between your palms to form little balls.
- Press the dough between your hands until it forms half-inch thick patties.
- Place the patties in the heated oil using a spatula.
- Cook them for approximately a minute and a half on each side.
- When done, place the cornbread on a paper towel to absorb any extra oil.
- Voil, enjoy your hot water cornbread!
Hot Water Cornbread Vs Regular Cornbread
Hot water cornbread is popular in the South, although it isn’t as well-known as ordinary cornbread. The components for the two forms of cornbread are the same: cornmeal and salt.
The similarities, however, stop there. You’ll need a lot more than cornmeal and boiling water to produce conventional cornbread. Eggs, milk, flour, and even baking powder are used in regular cornbread!
Furthermore, the primary distinction between conventional cornbread and hot water cornbread is that one is cooked in an oven and the other is fried.
Cornbread baked in hot water is crispy on the exterior and moist on the inside. A typical one has a more cake-like texture.
Is Hot Water Cornbread Healthy?
Hot water cornbread is not the healthiest way to eat, but it is also not hazardous. Let us investigate why this is the case.
First and foremost, this snack is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly. That’s because all you’ll need is cornmeal and boiling water to prepare it.
Unlike traditional cornbread, this recipe has no eggs, milk, or flour. It is thought to be safe for those with gluten allergy or other dietary sensitivities.
Furthermore, cornmeal, the main ingredient in this snack, has a variety of nutritious components.
For starters, cornmeal contains sodium. One dish of hot water cornbread has around 3.7mg of salt. This element is an essential electrolyte that aids in fluid equilibrium in the body.
It also improves cognitive function, relieves muscular spasms, and raises blood pressure.
Protein is another ingredient in hot water cornbread. One serving of this delectable meal provides around 2.3g of protein.
Protein is required for almost every bodily function! It is extremely beneficial for weight reduction. This is because protein helps to suppress your appetite and minimize hunger.
Tips for Delicious Hot Water Cornbread
Follow these steps to produce the best hot water cornbread:
- Make careful to use light, vegetable oil while cooking the patties. When it comes to baked products, vegetable oils are recognized for their distinct taste and richness.
- Nobody wants to watch their cornbread crumble! To avoid this, heat the oil well before putting the patties in the pan.
- Experiment with various forms! You don’t have to stick to the patty form; you may be creative and give a fun twist to a tasty dinner.
- You may use self-raising cornmeal for normal cornmeal. Some varieties use baking powder and salt as well. They are really easy to use and will save you an ingredient or two!
- Keep your patties (or whatever form you’re using) as thin as possible. A thicker dough may take longer to cook and may be undercooked.
- To add a little flavor diversity, cook the cornbread in bacon drippings.
- Try adding syrup or jam to the cornbread for a sweet taste. Herbs like oregano and parsley may be used for a herbaceous taste.
How to Store Hot Water Cornbread
You can sometimes make a bit too much hot water cornbread. But don’t worry! You may keep the leftovers in the fridge for approximately five days in an airtight container.
These small nibbles may be eaten cold or warmed in the microwave. Furthermore, you may keep the dough for later use by freezing it in grip-seal bags in the freezer for months.
Final Thoughts
That’s all there is to it! Do you still want to know what hot water cornbread is? To summarize, it is a unique and tasty method of making cornbread that dates back to Native Americans.
Try preparing some hot water cornbread the next time you’re wanting some good, old-fashioned southern comfort food!
FAQs
What is Hot water cornbread made of?
Hot water cornbread is a traditional Native American and enslaved African meal. It’s made using cornmeal, salt, grease (typically butter or animal fat), and hot water. When you combine all of these components, you will have a soft dough.
What’s the difference between cornbread and Hot water cornbread?
The distinction between hot water cornbread and regular cornbread is as follows: Hot water cornbread is created with hot, boiling water in the batter, and the batter is fried in small patties in a light oil rather than baked like regular cornbread. It’s delicious and makes the nicest texture!
Why is it called Hot water cornbread?
What exactly is hot water cornbread? Hot water cornbread is a one-of-a-kind bread that only requires three ingredients: cornmeal, baking powder, and hot water. The recipe requires for boiling water, which gives the bread a distinct texture than regular bread.
Where did Hot water cornbread come from?
Its roots may be traced back to the aboriginal peoples of the Americas, who had been eating ground maize for thousands of years. Its appeal stemmed in part from the fact that it included just three components (water, cornmeal, and lard) and was relatively inexpensive.
What’s the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread?
Northern cornbread is less sweet and cooked with less eggs and yellow cornmeal for a crumbly texture. Southern-style cornbread is cooked with white or yellow cornmeal, has a buttery finish, and requires more eggs for a cake-like texture.
How do you make hot water?
Tea kettles are used to warm water for drinking. Even if you’re not preparing tea, you can use a kettle to reheat your water! Simply place the kettle on the burner and wait for the whistle to indicate that the water is ready.
What is the secret to moist cornbread?
To produce a moist and soft cornbread, we use butter (for fat and taste), buttermilk (for tang and moisture), and eggs (for binding). Also, bake it just until a toothpick comes out clean, no longer. Cornbread that has been overbaked is dry cornbread.
Why is Southern cornbread not sweet?
Cornmeal puddings are served with sweet sauces, but no Southern chef would risk ruining her cornbreads by sweetening them.” According to the New York Times, “cornbread in Kentucky is made with white, coarsely ground cornmeal.” Cornbread should never, ever include sugar or wheat flour.
Why is my hot water cornbread falling apart?
This occurs for two primary reasons: 1) When frying starts, the fat is not hot enough. 2) The cornbread had not been totally frozen before being placed in the hot fat. The cornbread piece will come apart if the fat is not hot enough to immediately crisp up the outside shell.
Why do you put milk in cornbread?
Milk: To moisten the batter and provide a soft texture, many cornbread recipes call for ordinary milk as a wet component. You may use whatever sort of milk you choose, including full milk, 2% milk, and plant-based milk. Eggs: Eggs are often used in cornbread as a binding agent, helping to keep the batter together.