If you’re fortunate enough to have Ina Garten donning the chef’s hat for your meal, chances are you’re in for an unparalleled culinary experience. Jennifer Garner can attest to this firsthand, as she recently found herself delightfully stunned by Garten’s culinary prowess, particularly when it came to reinventing Garner’s grandmother’s cherished cornbread recipe into something she deemed “the best thing I’ve ever had.” Apologies to Grandma, but even her classic recipe couldn’t hold a candle to the magic woven by the culinary queen herself.
“I updated Jennifer Garner’s grandmother’s cornbread recipe on the first episode of #BeMyGuest Season 4, which airs today at 12 pm on @foodnetwork and @streamonmax!!” Garten shared on Instagram, hinting at the gastronomic marvels in store. “We had the best time and my Brown Butter Skillet Cornbread with flaked sea salt on top wasn’t bad either.”
As Garner took her initial bites of Garten’s creation, she couldn’t help but express her amazement. “What in the world? Is there salt on top?” she queried Garten, discovering the subtle yet transformative touch of salt. With each subsequent taste, Garner’s enthusiasm only grew. “Okay, this is a whole other bubble bath. It tastes like the best thing I’ve ever had in my whole life.” High praise indeed, confirming Garten’s mastery in the realm of culinary alchemy.
True to its name, this recipe commences with the luxurious act of browning two sticks of butter in a trusty cast iron skillet. Once the butter reaches a rich, nutty hue, it’s whisked together with milk, seamlessly incorporating the essence of indulgence. Eggs join the party, further enriching the velvety concoction.
Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, a symphony of dry ingredients awaits: flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. With a gentle hand, they unite to form a harmonious blend.
Creating a well in the center, the dry ingredients stand poised, ready to welcome their liquid counterparts. The milk, butter, and egg medley gracefully fills this void, and with a few deft strokes, the mixture is stirred until just amalgamated—embracing lumps as a testament to its homemade charm. A brief interlude follows as the batter luxuriates, basking in its own anticipation for about 15 minutes.
With a final, tender stir, the batter is returned to its iron abode, the skillet, its surface smoothed with care. A sprinkling of flaky sea salt, a gesture of culinary finesse, crowns the masterpiece. Into the oven it goes, baking to golden perfection over the course of a half-hour, until it emerges, a beacon of savory delight.
While this cornbread undeniably shines as a stellar sidekick to any meal, its allure transcends mere accompaniment. Paired with a steaming cup of coffee, it stands proud in its own right—a testament to its rich, buttery essence and savory depths of flavor that beckon for endless indulgence. Dare to embark on this gustatory journey; the full recipe awaits, eager to grace your kitchen with its irresistible charm.
