From the Callaway Kitchen
Bring the celebration home this centennial year with a recipe from the collection of Ida Cason Callaway—a perfect addition to a cozy meal at home this winter season.
Written on the end pages of The New Annie Dennis Cook Book © 1901, the list of ingredients for “Mrs. Slacks good corn meal muffins” were handwritten and the recipe deemed “excellent.” The cookbook, originally published in 1893 by Atlanta, Ga., Mutual Pub., Co., contains late 19th century southern favorites, and—from Ida’s notes—can be assumed to have been used in the kitchen at Hills & Dales as early as 1916. Mrs. Slack refers to Ruth Bradfield Slack (1864-1943) who was married to Dr. Henry R. Slack Jr., a prominent LaGrange family and friends of the Callaways.
Mrs. Slack’s good corn meal muffins
1 pt. buttermilk
1 pt. corn meal
1 level teaspoon soda
1 level teaspoon lard (melted)
1 egg
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 400° F and grease muffin pan. Mix dry ingredients together. Combine lard, egg and milk in a separate bowl; mix well. Add dry mix to wet mix and stir until just combined. Spoon batter into muffin pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm!
Editor’s note: Although Ida only listed the ingredients, preparation follows the typical steps for cornmeal muffins.
