AT THE TABLE WITH JAMES K. POLK

Golden corn pone

Name: Golden corn pone
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 200 g fine cornmeal (about 1⅓ cups); ½ tsp salt; 240 ml just-boiled water (1 cup), plus more if needed; 2 tbsp melted butter or neutral oil; 2 tbsp neutral oil for the pan

Simple ingredients. Serious crunch.

Sides40 minServes 4

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Golden corn pone — a painted table — A painted table · Serving illustration

THE STORY ON YOUR PLATE

The French dinner that sent Polk looking for ham

More about James K. Polk →

The eleventh president served a single term during a period of major territorial expansion.

Documented meal / preference

Polk’s account of a New Orleans visit records his wish for corn-bread and broiled ham. This small batch of corn pone supplies the bread half of that remarkably straightforward meal.

The president & the table

During a visit to New Orleans, Polk encountered elaborate French cooking and asked a servant for corn-bread and broiled ham instead. His diary account gives this preference an unusually clear voice: the traveller wanted familiar food even when something more fashionable was on offer.

Behind this story

Polk’s New Orleans diary episode; The Presidents’ Cookbook, Polk chapter.

APRON ON. HISTORY CAN WAIT.

Make it at home.

Serves 4

What you’ll need

200 g fine cornmeal (about 1⅓ cups)
½ tsp salt
240 ml just-boiled water (1 cup), plus more if needed
2 tbsp melted butter or neutral oil
2 tbsp neutral oil for the pan

Let’s make it

Heat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Put an oiled ovenproof skillet inside.
Mix cornmeal and salt. Stir in the hot water and melted butter or oil. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Add a little more water if needed to make a soft, mouldable dough. With damp hands shape 8 small, flat ovals.
Carefully place in the hot skillet. Bake for 15 minutes, turn and bake for another 10–15 minutes until crisp and cooked through.

Cooking notes

This small batch cooks in the oven, leaving the stovetop free for the rest of dinner.

Metric and US measures are approximate equivalents. For baking, use weights when you can.

Golden corn pone

The French dinner that sent Polk looking for ham

Make it at home.

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

More from this table.

Broiled ham with buttered toast