Grace’s Table provides itself on “Celebrating Flavors from Around the World.” Chef/Owner Mauro Pando and his wife, Nancy Lindaas-Pando, certainly are passionate about their restaurant in Downtown Napa. Norm and I were fortunate enough while on an International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association trip to experience their delicious fare. While we were visiting we had an opportunity to meet Mauro. He said, “This classic American mix is celebrated everyday by the cuisines of the world that we serve, and the ethnic backgrounds it touches. It is the cuisine of the grandmothers and grandfathers and our various homelands that we crave, yet have forgotten the recipe, lack the skill, or the lack time to prepare. These are the foods we grew up with in our own homes or the homes of our friends or neighbors.”

After a delightful evening, the chef shared his recipe for Skillet Corn Bread. All of our entrees were great and the atmosphere was relaxing. I’d highly recommend it. The Lavender Honey Butter was outstanding.

Mauro Pando & Maralyn Hill

Mauro Pando & Maralyn Hill

IRON SKILLET CORNBREAD

Dry:

7 oz. Cornmeal

6 oz. All Purpose flour

1 1/3 oz. Sugar

½ tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Baking Powder

½  tsp. Baking Soda

Wet:

2 Eggs

2 cups Whole Milk

6 oz. Grated Sharp Cheddar

8 oz. sour cream

16 oz. Creamed Corn

3 oz. Butter, melted

Method:

  • Pre-heat oven to 400, or 375 with convection.
  • Mix wet ingredients well. Add the dry ingredients a whisk well.
  • Then, add the melted butter to the mixed batter.
  • Heat 7inch cast iron skillet for 30 min. in the oven until very hot.
  • Spray with non stick spray, and pour in the batter, fill ¼  inch from the top.
  • Bake until golden brown and is just set in the middle, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan: the residual heat will finish the cooking of the bread.
  • To serve, re-heat cooled cornbread in it’s pan. When hot, loosen from edge of pan and turn onto warm plate. This recipe also works well in the cast iron skillet that has dividers and re-heated directly on the rack in the oven for some grill marks as well.

Lavender Honey Butter

3 Tablespoons Dried Lavender-ground fine

8 oz. Unsalted Butter- Soft

½ cup Honey

2 tsp. Salt

½ tsp. White pepper

Method:

  • Warm the honey and lavender together oven a double boiler and let the lavender infuse into the honey for a half hour, Let it cool to room temperature. Stir in all of the other ingredients. Taste for seasoning and sweetness. Serve with the warm cornbread.

Grace’s Table

Phone Number: (707) 226-6200

Address: 1400 Second Street, Napa, CA 94559

Cross Streets: Corner of Second and Franklin

Hours of Operation:    Mon-Thurs:    8:30 am – 9:00 pm

Fri:    9:00 am – 10:00 pm     Sun:    9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Maralyn
Author: Maralyn

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.