Southern Cornmeal Hoecakes

Southern Cornmeal Hoecakes 1 cup of self rising flour 1 cup of all purpose cornmeal 2 teaspoons of baking powder 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1 tablespoon of sugar, optional 2 eggs 3/4 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup of cooking oil (vegetable, canola, melted bacon fat etc.) 1 tablespoon of fat, for frying, or oil combined with a bit of butter Method Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels and place a rack on top; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and sugar. Measure out the buttermilk in a liquid measuring cup, and add to that the water and oil; blend well. Add eggs and mix well; combine with dry ingredients. Heat oil and butter in a cast iron skillet over medium to medium high and drop batter by about 1/8 cup measures into the hot skillet to form small medallions. Fry until brown and crisp, turn and brown the other side. Remove and let drain on rack. Serve immediately with warm syrup for breakfast or as a snack, or dip ’em in a mess o’ greens to sop up that pot likker (juice from the greens)! Variation: When corn is at peak and in-season, add about 1 cup of corn cut and scraped off the cob. You’ll need about 1 large ear of corn. Can also make this into a pan hoecake. Add only enough buttermilk to make a stiff batter.