2 tablespoons bacon drippings or Crisco
2 1/2 cups water ground white cornmeal
1 scant teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups yogurt or buttermilk
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Generously grease a muffin tin and preheat oven to 400°. Sift together the cornmeal, soda, salt and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Add the yogurt and the beaten egg, shortening and butter, and stir well.

Pour into muffin tins and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with butter and preserves.

Tex-Mex Variation: Add 1 to 2 jalapeno or chipotle peppers and 1 red bell pepper, seeded, and chopped fine. Stir in 1/2 cup jalapeno jack cheese, shredded, and reduce sugar to 2 teaspoons. Add 1 large chopped Vidalia onion, a pinch of cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of paprika. Serve with Chili!

Submitted by: CM