Fried Cornmeal Mush

My parents and I were having a conversation about our favorite foods and my Dad mentioned that one of his all time favorites was fried cornmeal mush.  He ate this growing up and LOVES IT.  I never knew!  Unfortunately you can hardly find this at restaurants anymore where they live.  He made it at home one time but said it was a complete disaster.  My parents don't enjoy cooking.  They love eating out and trying new dishes at restaurants as much as I love cooking at home.

Fried cornmeal mush?? What's that I asked?  He said do you know what polenta is?  Of course I said.  Well it's just fried polenta.  We southerners call it fried cornmeal mush.  No need for fancy smanshy names round here.  Interesting.  One of my favorite appetizers at a local restaurant is a lightly fried polenta topped with scallops and covered in a lemon butter sauce.  Oh my it's delicious! 

I GOT THIS :-)  I said to my Dad.  I'm figuring this out and next time I'm home I'll make you some fried cornmeal mush :-).


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Fried Cornmeal Mush
3 cups hot water
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Oil and flour for frying

Combine 1 cup cornmeal with 1 cup cold water in a small bowl.

Bring 3 cups hot water, salt, and sugar to a boil.  Once the water is boiling whisk in the cornmeal mixture.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes or until mixture thickens.

Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.  Pour cornmeal mush into the loaf pan.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Pour a small amount of oil in a pan.  I used about a 1/4 cup.  Heat on medium to medium high.  Slice the cornmeal mush in 1 to 1 1/2 inch slices.  I cut my slices in half vertically as well to make them smaller.  Probably would not do that again.  Dredge in flour and add to hot pan.

Cook on each side until browned.  About 10 to 12 minutes on the first side.  The second side will cook a little quicker.  Be prepared it will stick like mad!  Leave it alone it will eventually release!  

Keep the fried mush warm in the oven on a low or warm setting until you've cooked up all the batches you need.

Serve with butter and maple syrup.  Umm Umm good!

Quote of the Day

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Submit your favorite quote here.

Cheers,
Shannon