Classic Southern Cornbread

Heat oven to 400 degrees. When hot, heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven until very hot, 10 to 15 minutes.

Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. Combine all but about 1 teaspoon of the butter, buttermilk, and egg. Stir into the dry ingredients just until blended. Stir in chiles, if desired.

Remove skillet from oven to a trivet or hot pad. Using a pastry brush, quickly coat pan with the remaining teaspoon of melted butter.

Pour batter into pan, filling each triangle about 2/3 full. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan, cool completely on rack.