Food Stamp Challenge Recipes: Potluck-Worthy Fresh Corn Bread with Chilies

This is a bit of work, but if you just want to time-splurge on yourself or your friends, this comes out really spectacular. It is very rich and very addictive….it’s a good thing it take so much effort or I’d be tempted to make it all the time. Oh heck, I may anyway.

3 ears of fresh sweet corn, kernels cut off, or 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
6 tablespoon butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs plus 1 large yolk
1/4 cup minced green, red, or hot chilies, or a combination
1-1/3 cups organic stone-ground cornmeal
1 cup organic unbleached white flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1-1/4 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (optional)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Put the rack in the middle of the oven. Grease a loaf pan or 10″ cast-iron skillet.

Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cumin, and salt together in a large bowl. Set it aside.

Whirl the corn kernels in the blender until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the puree into a saucepan (you should have about 1-1⁄2 cups). Cook puree over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it’s very thick and yellow and reduced by half. Stir in the peppers and take it off the heat. Let it cool a few minutes.

Add 5 tablespoons of butter and stir until melted. Add the buttermilk and stir well again. Add the eggs and the yolk and whisk it all until smooth. Transfer this yellow glop to the flour mixture, and fold it together until just moistened through and through. Fold in the shredded cheese if you want to use it.

If you want, add the final tablespoon of butter to your greased pan and put it in the oven for 3 minutes to melt. (This is a luxurious extra that gives the bottom crust a beautiful yumminess)

Pour the batter into the pan, bake for 25-30 minutes or until a little golden on top (test it with a toothpick for doneness).  Cool in the pan for a bit, then cut into wedges or squares and serve.

Outrageous.

Category: Cooking, Food, Food Stamp Challenge Recipes, Money Saving, Recipes, Whole Foods Challenge