Courtesy Nicole A. Taylor, author, The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen (Countryman Press, 2015).
“Melding together the American South and Caribbean ingredients creates a storied African diasporic dish,” says Taylor when describing this deceptively simple cornbread. The mango purée adds complexity and a subtle sweetness that balances the pepper’s heat. Taylor recommends cornmeal from South Carolina’s Geechie Boy Mill.
About Nicole A. Taylor
Taylor’s book, The Up South Cookbook: Chasing Dixie in a Brooklyn Kitchen, traces her move from Georgia to New York as an adult and her culinary journey to rediscover her roots. The book embraces both traditional dishes and new inventions that reflect her Brooklyn community, and the recipes included are emblematic of a younger generation of inquisitive Southern cooks with varied inspirations.
An expert in Southern foodways and a self-proclaimed “master home cook,” she’s also a freelance journalist, host of the Hot Grease podcast about food culture and food editor for Crop Stories, a semiannual journal that documents farm culture in the South.
Last Updated: May 11, 2023
Ingredients
Directions
Add butter and pepper to small saucepan, and melt over low heat. Remove from heat, and let infuse for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 400˚F. Place seasoned 8-inch, cast-iron skillet in oven to warm.
In large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, sugar, salt, baking powder and paprika. In separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, mango and eggs, then stir into cornmeal mixture. Remove pepper, and slowly pour butter into batter. Mix well.
Pour batter into hot skillet. Place on middle rack and bake for 40 minutes. Serves 8.
Chardonnay and corn are a great match. The Williamsburg Winery 2015 Vintage Reserve Chardonnay from Virginia offers concentrated aromas of pineapple, banana and papaya that nod to the cornbread’s Caribbean elements, with a palate that’s more nutty than fruity. Its round and creamy mouthfeel stands up to the richness of the cornbread, while the wine’s long, toasty finish melds perfectly with the recipe’s slightly smoky, not-too-sweet flavor.
