A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 6 to 8 servings. 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening ½ cup butter, melted ⅓ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, beaten 1 cup whole buttermilk ½ teaspoon baking soda 1

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 6 to 8 servings. 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening ½ cup butter, melted ⅓ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, beaten 1 cup whole buttermilk ½ teaspoon baking soda 1

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

1 tablespoon vegetable shortening
½ cup butter, melted
⅓ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup whole buttermilk
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with vegetable shortening. Place skillet in oven.

In a large mixing bowl, add melted butter and sugar, and whisk to combine. Whisk in eggs and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, add baking soda, cornmeal, flour, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients and stir until just combined with no lumps.

Remove skillet from oven and pour batter into hot skillet. Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Sorghum Butter

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sorghum syrup
½ teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, syrup, and salt until well blended. Serve with cornbread, biscuits, or on pancakes. Store leftover butter in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

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This story was published on Sep 27, 2021

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.