Cracklin Bread Pork Fat From Southern Indiana Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a cast-iron pot halfway with oil and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• Add the pork belly to the oil and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and the skins begin to float, crack and pop, about 1 hour. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
• Again, heat the oil to 350 degrees F and fry a second time, stirring occasionally, until the cracklings are crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel. Sprinkle liberally with Cajun seasoning.
• Allow to cool slightly and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat a cast-iron skillet over low heat until warmed through. Meanwhile, grind or cut the bacon into a small dice. Spread over pan evenly. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently so that it doesn't burn, until the fat is rendered and the bits of bacon are crispy, 4-5 minutes. Drain the bacon in a strainer, reserving the fat to use in the recipe. (You will need 5 tablespoons.) Place skillet into the preheated oven to heat.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and salt. Slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat. In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and bacon bits. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, just to combine.
• Move the skillet from the oven to the stove, placing it over low heat to keep it hot. Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat to the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Pour the batter into the center of the skillet, distributing it evenly. It should sizzle. Cook on the stove over medium heat until the edge is golden and pulling away from the pan, 1-2 minutes.
• Bake the cornbread until a toothpick placed in the center comes away clean, about 20-30 minutes. Optional: Rub a bit of lard on top of the finished cornbread and broil until golden and sizzling (less than one minute).
• Serve in the skillet or flip out of the pan onto a plate. Slice into wedges and serve hot.

Steps:

• 1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 F.
• 2. Prepare an 8 x 10 oblong baking pan by spraying it with butter-flavored cooking spray.
• 3. In a medium-size bowl, mix the dry ingredients, stirring to combine.
• 4. In a second bowl, add the wet ingredients, mixing well.
• 5. Gently fold in the dry cracklins and pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• 6. Bake at 400 F for 25 to 30 minutes.
• 7. NOTE: Over the years this recipe has been cooked in everything from cast iron skillets or corn cob molds, cake pans and even waffle irons. I have even spooned the mixture by the ladle into a skillet of hot oil and made individual servings of fried cornbread (called corn pones). It is a very versatile and forgiving recipe.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a 9x9 inch square baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the egg, shortening and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, stir together the cornmeal, sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until smooth, then stir in the pork cracklin's. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until center is set and the top is slightly brown.

Steps:

• 1. To make cracklings, fry pork fat till crisp. Drain,reserving 3/4 cup of drippings. In a mixing bowl stir together cornmeal, flour, baking soda and salt.Add buttermilk,eggs and reserved drippings. Beat till smooth. Stir in cracklings Turn into a greased 10 inch skillet. Bake at 425 till done, 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into wedges. Serve warm. Makes 6 servings.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degree C).
• In a 10 inch oven-proof skillet, fry the pork till crisp. Add onion, and cook till just tender. Drain off liquid fat, and reserve 2 tablespoons.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine corn meal, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Combine eggs, honey, buttermilk, and juice: mix into cornmeal mixture. Stir in pork and onions.
• Return reserved fat to skillet, and heat till very hot. Pour batter into skillet. Transfer to oven, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Steps:

• Heat about 4 inches of oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry pork belly squares in batches until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat about 4 inches of oil in another large saucepan to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C).
• Fry pork belly squares in batches a second time until skin "pops," 30 seconds to 1 minute. Drain on fresh paper towels.