Deerfield Inn Indian Pudding Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes 2 cups milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup molasses 1/2 cup cornmeal 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more butter to grease baking dish 2 eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground mace.

Caramel Cornmeal Pudding Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 2 hours 4Z cups milk 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons sweet butter 2 tablespoons cognac 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup finely chopped pecans Pinch of salt Pinch of nutmeg Softly whipped cream of vanilla ice cream.

COUNTRY HAM Adapted from Nick Sundbreg of the Beaumont Inn Time: about 6 hours, after overnight soaking 1 country ham, about 14 pounds 1/2 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup brown sugar.

Polenta Without Fear Time: 25 minutes 1 cup milk (preferably whole milk) Salt 1 cup coarse cornmeal, preferably stone-ground Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 to 4 tablespoons butter or extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup or more freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, to taste, optional.

Polenta Pancakes Time: 30 minutes 1/2 cup cornmeal Salt 1 tablespoon sugar, optional 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups milk, more as needed Butter or olive oil as needed.

Fried Green Tomatoes Total time: 30 minutes 1 1/2 pounds green (unripened) tomatoes Tabasco sauce Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup cornmeal Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Dash cayenne pepper 3/4 cup, approximately, peanut or vegetable oil.

CORNMEAL 'DROPPED' SCONES 1/3 cup cornmeal, preferably stone-ground 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 large egg 1/2 cup buttermilk Oil or drippings for the pan.

MOLASSES CORN PUDDING 1/2 cup molasses 2 cups milk 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Vegetable oil for greasing the bowl.

Soft Polenta 4 cups water 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 cup yellow cornmeal 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese.

Cornmeal Biscuits Total time: 30 minutes 1 1/3 cups flour 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal 4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Cayenne pepper to taste 1 tablespoon sugar 8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, in small pieces 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup buttermilk.