Tavern-Style Spoon Bread

Combine milk in a saucepan and heat it until boiling point is reached. Introduce cornmeal into the mixture; continue to cook and stir vigorously for several minutes, until the cornmeal has fully incorporated with all of the milk. Set the saucepan aside to cool for approximately 1 hour, allowing it to thicken significantly.

Preheat the oven to its designated temperature of 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly coat a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with a thin layer of oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Transfer the cooled cornmeal mixture into a large, clean bowl. Incorporate eggs, salt, baking powder, and melted butter into the mixture through a series of gentle folds.

Pour the prepared cornmeal mixture into the lightly greased casserole dish. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the edges of the mixture have turned a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve the warm cornmeal mixture directly from the dish using a spoon.