The Cast of Characters: Yellow Corn Meal, Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Milk, Buttermilk, Egg, and Shortening. Get ready for greatness, folks.

Now, you can use muffin pans, corn stick pans, pyrex dishes---really, anything you want. My favorite way to make cornbread, though, is to use my favorite iron skillet. Whatever pan you use, start heating it up over medium heat (or in a hot oven) to get it pretty hot.

Add 2 or 3 tablespoons shortening to the skillet...or baking pan...or muffin tins---whichever you decide to use.

The point is to melt the shortening in the hot pan before you pour in the cornbread batter. This is the secret to the crispy, brown outside.

Take yellow cornmeal.

Measure 1 cup...

And dump it into a bowl.

Now for the All-Purpose Flour.

Add 1/2 cup.

Now for the salt. See? I told you it'd be in here.

Add 1 teaspoon.

Stir it all together.

Now measure 1 cup buttermilk. (And remember the trick? If you don't have buttermilk, just add a tablespoon of vinegar to 1/2 milk and you're good to go.)

Add 1/2 cup regular milk to the buttermilk.

Now take one egg...

And crack it into the milk mixture.

Stir together until combined.

Now for the baking powder...

Add 1 tablespoon.

Stir together, then find your baking soda.

Add 1/2 teaspoon. Look how frothy it is already! I've always loved those spice-cabinet mad scientist experiments. My mom always loved them, too, because I always cleaned up after myself, right, Mom? And I never, ever touched your little squirt bottles of food coloring. Right, Mom?

Mom?

Stir together, then pour into the cornmeal/flour mixture.

Stir together...

Until just combined.

Now add 1/4 cup shortening to a microwave-safe dish...

And heat until melted.

Pour melted shortening into the bowl...

Stirring constantly.

Keep stirring until combined.

Now pour batter into your hot skillet. It will sizzle around the edges, which should make your heart go pitter pat. Sizzle is good.

Even out the batter on top, then bake in a 450-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Did someone say "Golden Brown?"

Neato! It kinda looks like an aerial shot of the Grand Canyon.