SPOONBREAD                                                                                                                                                                                                    Chuck Williams

 Very soufflé-like.  Make it first for yourself before making for company.  If you can do this, you are on your way towards doing a real soufflé!

 serves 10 - 12

 4 ½ cups milk

1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal

1 ½ TSP. salt

1/8 TSP. fresh grated nutmeg

3 TBSP. unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

6 eggs, separated

2 TSP. baking powder

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Butter a 3-qt baking dish with sides 2 - 2 ½ inches deep.

Pour 4 cups of the milk into a saucepan, place over medium heat and heat until small bubbles appear along the edges of the pan.  Remove from the heat and, using a whisk, stir vigorously while slowly pouring in the cornmeal.  Continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth.  Return to medium heat and stir until thickened, 1 - 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ½ cup milk and the salt, nutmeg and butter, stirring constantly until the chilled butter melts.  This serves to cool the mixture just enough that the egg yolks can be added without instantly scrambling!  Add the egg yolks one at a time, stirring well after each addition.  Stir in the baking powder and Parmesan cheese.