Ozark Fried Mush Scrapple Recipes

OZARK FRIED MUSH / SCRAPPLE

Steps:

• Line a standard loaf pan with plastic wrap, making sure it's pressed into the corners.
• Place the water in a size appropriate pan with a heavy bottom, OR a double boiler (if you don't want to watch it as closely). To me, faster is better, & mush cooks up over low heat very nicely w/ the occasional stir in a thick bottomed pot. If you have doubts, use the double boiler.
• Add the corn meal and salt to the cool water and place the pot on med- high heat. - If you want scrapple, add the sausage when you add the cornmeal & put your hand in the pot to break up the sausage very thoroughly.You don't want chunks of meat because it will be much harder to slice later.
• When the mush begins to boil, turn heat down to medium-low, cover, and stir every few minutes w/ a spatula to keep it from sticking and burning.
• Cook 20 minutes, stirring frequently, remove from heat and pour into the plastic lined loaf pan.
• Cool 10 - 15 minutes, cover w/ plastic, finish cooling on the counter, and chill at least four hours, or up to a week.
• Turn the loaf out onto the top covering of plastic wrap and slice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, using a thin, sharp knife.
• Fry slices in a non-stick pan in the fat of your choice; just a drizzle in a non-stick pan does nicely. Fry over med to med low heat till the slices are nicely browned. I take my time when frying this, you want to develop a nice crunchy crust over the soft mush inside, and on high heat you'll brown it before it gets the texture we like.
• Serve hot w/ honey, syrup, or w/ butter and hot sauce. Good cold too.
• Mush cannot be frozen because the formation of ice crystals causes it to break up when thawed.

SCRAPPLE (MUSH)

Steps:

• Bring the ham hocks and water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to meduim-low, cover, and simmer until the pork is very tender, about 2 hours. When done, remove the ham hocks to a plate to cool to room temperature, then shred the meat, discarding the fat, skin, and bones. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve 2 1/2 quarts.
• Return the 2 1/2 quarts of broth to a boil in a large pot over high heat, and stir in the chicken soup base until dissolved. Place the cornmeal in a bowl, and stir in the thyme, sage, savory, allspice, nutmeg, clove, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk the cornmeal into the boiling broth, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
• While the cornmeal is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. After the cornmeal has cooked for 15 minutes, stir in the onion, shredded ham hock, and Cheddar cheese. Cook and stir an additional 15 minutes; the mixture will be thick enough that a spoon will stand up in it. Season to taste, scrapple must be well-seasoned or it will taste very bland when fried. Oil the bottom and sides of three 9x5 inch loaf pans, and pour in the scrapple. Cover the pans with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
• To serve the scrapple, remove from the loaf pans and cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick slices. Fry in melted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crispy on both sides, about 10 minutes.

OLD-FASHIONED SCRAPPLE

Steps:

• Combine pork, broth, cornmeal, thyme and salt in large saucepan. Heat and stir to boiling.
• Reduce heat, simmer stirring constantly until mixture is very thick.
• Remove from heat.
• Line 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with waxed paper allowing 3 to 4 inch overhang.
• Spoon pork mixture into pan, press firmly and refrigerate, covered 4 hours.
• Using waxed paper.
• In the morning or any time you like breakfast, cut into small squares and fry in a skillet with some oil on medium heat like breakfast sausage until browned on both sides and hot in the middle.
• Fabulous with grits, eggs, homefries and toast.

SOUTH CAROLINA SCRAPPLE

Steps:

• For each pound of meat, use a quart of water; simmer until meat drops from bone.
• Remove meat from bones carefully, being certain to get all the small pieces.
• Bring ramaining broth to boiling point, adding sufficient water to make two cups.
• Add corn meal slowly and cook until thick, stirring constantly.
• Chop meat and add to corn meal mixture; add seasonings and onion.
• Cook 30 minutes in top of double boiler.
• Pour hot mixture into a dampenened oblong pan; let stand until cold and firm.
• Heat a little bacon grease in a skillet; slice scrapple and brown until golden in hot grease.

CHUNKY SOUTHWESTERN GAZPACHO

Steps:

• Peel cucumber, but in half lengthwise, and scoop out seeds. Cut into bite-sized pieces and put in a 3-quart, or larger, bowl.
• Stem, seed, and cut the bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. I usually slide my knife over the inside of the pepper to remove the waxy part; add to the bowl. Peel and finely chop the onion and add it to the bowl.
• Add tomatoes, their juice, and tomato-vegetable juice.
• Rinse and drain black beans and add to the bowl. Add garlic, stir in the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot pepper sauce.
• Refrigerate for 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled, serve.