Fresh Herb and Cheese Spoon Bread

Spoon bread is often relegated to side dish status; it's certainly delectable beside slices of rare roast beef or seared duck breast. Cafe Drake HRV generally serves it piping hot as the centerpiece of a vegetarian dinner. Suggested accompaniments might include thick sliced beefsteak tomatoes sprinkled with salt and black pepper, a toss of bitter greens such as young dandelion leaves and chicory, assorted roasted root vegetables or radish and cucumber salad. Carnivores, please discover the exquisite breakfast combination of this herb and cheese spoon bread with fried ham steaks. Why not make it a morning to remember and also serve with the sweet potato biscuits posted below?

Variations abound and multiply based on your own creativity - use any cheese or herbs that strike your fancy an hour before dinner. Cafe Drake HRV recommends these confirmed greatest hits:

• bleu cheese with 1 cup of thinly sliced white mushrooms + tarragon and/or chervil
• swiss cheese + fresh parsley, marjoram and caraway seeds (a non-smoked Gouda is also good here)
• Manchego cheese + smoked paprika + a handful of pitted and chopped green olives + oregano
• feta cheese + chopped mint + sliced scallions + fresh parsley

The Basics: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a casserole dish capable of holding 1 1/2 quarts. Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a rolling boil in a saucepan and slowly slowly slowly drizzle in 1 cup yellow cornmeal (fine ground). Be sure to whisk constantly as you add the cornmeal. A few lumps are acceptable but try to keep things as smooth as possible. Add 1 1/2 t. salt and stir constantly for 1 full minute. remove from heat and wait a couple of minutes before stirring in 2 T. butter. Now add 1 cup milk and stir again. lastly, stir in 4 beaten eggs just until incorporated. Add cheese, herbs and seasonings of choice - you'll need at least 1 1/2 cups of cheese and probably around 3 T. or more of fresh herbs; really, anything goes here.

Pour the mixture into the oiled casserole and bake for 40 minutes or until a straw inserted in center comes out sort of clean. Do not overcook. Delicious piping hot or warm.