I have great memories of the rhubarb that grew near my early childhood home on the backside of the garage. It was the sunniest part of the yard and that’s why it was located there, but it was hidden from the rest of the house and it always felt a little bit enchanting back there. The warnings about the leaves being poisonous made it a little bit forbidden as well and although I never used the leaves for food, I used to love to suck on the stalks. The leaves were relegated to doll blankets, elf hats, skirts, fairy boats and other useful items.
Rhubarb Sauce
This one reminds me of my grandma. She used to serve it with corn bread and sausage on one of those simple, comfort food nights.
4 cups diced rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 cup maple syrup (to taste)
In a medium stockpot, cook the rhubarb, sugar and cinnamon over medium heat for 15 minutes or until the rhubarb has broken down. Add the maple syrup to taste and serve.
Makes 2 cups
Cornbread
1 cup yellow or white stone-ground corn meal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat the oven to 425°. Grease a cast iron skillet or 9 x 9-inch baking pan. Stir the corn meal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in large bowl. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the eggs into the well and stir lightly with wooden spoon; then add the buttermilk and milk. Stir quickly until almost combined. Add the melted butter and stir until the ingredients are just combined. Pour the batter into the greased pan. Bake until the top is golden brown and lightly cracked and the edges have pulled away from side of the pan, about 25 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for around 5-10 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm. Alternately, cool in the pan and serve directly from the pan for a more rustic look.
Makes 4-6 servings
2 Comments
Barbara
May 8, 2012 at 7:23 amI just found your blog, so sorry about such a “late” post. I too love rhubarb and am always excited to find a new way to use it. So…a question. Is this more like a sauce on the cornbread or a side like applesauce? I’m going to try this recipe the instant my plants are ready. Thanks!
Annie Mahle
May 8, 2012 at 10:16 amNo worries! I love hearing from people no matter how long ago I posted! This is more like applesauce. It’s kinda thickish. Hope you love it. Our rhubarb is just about ready to pick! Can’t wait.