Working Nashville TNN

I grew up in the South, in Arkansas till college, then Texas ever since.  But yesterday i stumbled across something new.....    
Hoe Cakes.  I have eaten enough cornbread in my days to pave the yellow brick road, Atlanta to L.A.  Iron Skillet cooked, cut in pie slice shapes also corn sticks, and corn muffins.  Which method is your favorite?  well, i am working this week in Nashville TN and snapped to Hoe Cakes.

 

Pictured: corn muffin resting on a Hoe Cake.  Dandgure's Classic Southern Cafeteria, Nashville TN  

(also shown - collard greens, salisbury steak, green beens and coconut chess pie.)

the cook said he uses white corn meal, no flour.  same recipe for both the muffins and the Hoe Cakes.

 

Hoe Cake Cooking

Back in the pre-Civil War days, slaves worked out in the fields using hoes to do their work. At mid-day, there was no “break-room” in which to eat, so the workers made their own corn bread out in the fields by using a hoe blade which they placed on some red-hot coals. By mixing corn meal, water and a little salt while using a little bacon fat or butter on the blade, they baked a very quick and tasty meal. When you add water to the corn meal, make a fairly wet dough and gently form a patty with your hands. Place the dough patty on the hoe blade and cook on both sides until each side is slightly browned or golden.  

You might recognize this other type of Cake?  it's the Cup variety...   

Nashville at Play.