I have done much searching for this to make for a southern friend of mine. This version is what he says is closest to his Kentucky memories:

Fried Corn Bread

1 cup white cormeal (he says it must be white)
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup BOILING water
Crisco

Mix the cornmeal salt and 1 Tbsp. Crisco in a bowl and then pour in the boiling water and mix. Drop this mixture by spoonfuls into a skillet heated to medium with a couple of tablespoons of Crisco in the pan. Fry the cakes until desired crsipness and turn.

We have tried this with bacon fat and butter instead of the Crisco but it does not seems to work as well.