Country School

New England Johnny Cake Recipe

This was my grandmother's recipe.  We ate it on a weekly basis when I was growing up.  I can't hardly stand to eat beans or chili without it!  Serve it with homemade butter with some honey drizzled in.  I could eat it for dessert!

• 3/4 cup sifted flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar (or honey..I like to use honey better and sometimes I put a smidge more in)
• 1 1/4 cups freshly ground yellow cornmeal
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup melted shortening

Sift flour with baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir in cornmeal. Combine eggs, vinegar, milk, and shortening. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until dry ingredients are moist. Turn into a greased 8x8x2-inch baking pan OR a cast iron dutch oven or cast iron skillet. 
Bake at 400° for 30 to 35 minutes. Keep a watch on it as every oven is different.  You want it to still be a little moist.  As soon as the knife in the center comes out clean, it's done.