Crackling bread

About Crackling Bread

Crackling Bread is a Southern Cuisine which mainly consists cracklings and a type of bread, usually containing cornmeal. Cracklings are extremely similar to pork rinds and chicharrones, and dish made of fried pork rinds. Another name for Cracklings is gratons or grattons, dubbed by the Cajuns. During times of slavery, servants would be given pork skin, which they would then deep-fry and incorporate into cornbread batter. Since those times, this rich food has become international. Many countries, including Italy, has had an interesting history corresponding with cornbread as well. Substitutes for the pork skin include raisins and candied peel.

History

As mentioned previously, servants in times of slavery would make due with what was at hand, such as pork skin or lard for flavoring food. Slaves were given mainly leftover scrapes and undesired meat from their masters' table. By obtaining weekly cornmeal rations from their masters, and lard from a slaughtered pig, slaves were able to create a hearty dessert.

To Kill A Mockingbird Reference

In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, Crackling Bread is referred to when Calpurnia, an African American servant of the Finch family, bakes Crackling Bread for Scout Finch as an apology. "'Shut your eyes and open your mouth and I'll give you a surprise,' she said. It was not often that she make crackling bread, she said she never had time, but with both of us at school today has been an easy one for her. She knew I loved crackling bread." This goes to show to cuisine in the Southern United States is quite unique.

Ingredients And Instructions For Preparation

Ingredients (From Foodnetwork) 2 tablespoons pork or bacon grease 1 1/2 cups stone-ground cornmeal (white or yellow) 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup fresh corn kernels, cut from the cob with milk from the cob 2 large eggs, beaten 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup pork cracklings or 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled Butter, for garnish Directions Place 2 tablespoons of pork fat or bacon grease in a 9-inch cast iron skillet, place in oven, and preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Meanwhile, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add corn kernels and milk, eggs, buttermilk, and cracklings and stir until well blended. Pour in hot skillet (preheated for 12 to 15 minutes) and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve warm with fresh butter.