Recipes For a Variety of Old Fashion Breads - Johnny Cakes, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Hot Rolls

Yes, you can go home again. Well, sort of anyway. With these recipes you just may be able to recreate some of the delicious breads you remember from Grandma's and Mom's. Remember Johnny Cakes? Now you can make your own with this simple old-fashion recipe. Do You prefer those delicious big ole buttermilk biscuits? You can do that, too, using this recipe for Wilma's Favorite Buttermilk Biscuits. Or perhaps you prefer hot rolls. Bet you've never tried this recipe for Jiffy Cake Mix Hot Rolls!

JOHNNY CAKES

1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp soda
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together using only enough strokes to mix well. Drop by spoonfuls on hot griddle. Fry until brown on each side.

WILMA'S FAVORITE BUTTERMILK BISCUITS
This is another old Southern Indiana recipe.

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 cup lard (or shortening)
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 tsp baking soda

Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder together into a large bowl. Work the lard into the flour mixture using your fingers. Mix the baking soda into the buttermilk and add to the flour mixture; blend lightly. Knead and roll out to 1/2-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Using a biscuit cutter or the lip of a glass cut the dough. Bake on a greased baking pan (or even better, a cast iron skillet).

NOTE: Do not over knead the dough. The less you knead, the better the biscuits.

JIFFY CAKE MIX HOT ROLLS

1 box Jiffy brand white cake mix
1 pkg dry yeast
1 1/4 cups warm water
3 cups flour

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Set in a warm place and let rise until double in size. Punch down and shape into rolls. Dip into vegetable oil and let rise again. Put into greased muffin cups or arrange in a pan. Bake at 375 degrees until browned. Enjoy!

Johnny Cakes

Belizean food is easy to prepare, physically filling and delightfully delicious.  How about a dish of Johnny Cakes - a cross between what the American people traditionally or culturally know as biscuits and/or pancakes and traditionally a favored  food item breakfast dish in Belize.    However, Johnny Cakes are also, for many people, a standard, even a favorite bread that is consumed during lunch and dinner meals.  They are excellent with refried beans, cheese that is melted, crumbled or sliced.   A cultural Belizean food indeed; seldom is a meal eaten in a Belizean home without Johnny Cakes!

JOHNNY CAKES

2 lbs. Flour 1/4 lb. Shortening 4 tsp. Baking powder 2 tsp. Salt Cream from 1 coconut, or 1 tin Coconut Cream (8 oz.)

Method: Place flour in mixing bowl and add all dry ingredients. Work in shortening with fingers. Gradually add coconut cream and mix until dough handle easily without being too sticky, or dry. If too sticky, add a bit more flour. Knead until smooth. Cut into desired size (golf ball size works well) and shape into a ball. Let rest about 10 minutes, then flatten to about 1/2" thickness onto baking sheet. Prick top with fork four or five times.

Bake in preheated oven at 450 degrees F. until golden brown, or about 15 minutes. Once cooked split open and butter while hot.

Johnny Cakes are also good for when one has the munchies, pop one in the microwave or eat it cold, like bread and butter spread a bit of jam, jelly or your favorite fruit preserve on top. How delicious!