Cornmeal Brioche Food

PIONEER WOMAN CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat shortening in an iron skillet, muffin pan, or other baking pan. Combine cornmeal, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, and egg. Add baking powder and baking soda. Stir. Add ¼ cup melted shortening, stirring constantly. Pour into hot pan, smoothing surface with spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

CORNMEAL BRIOCHE

Steps:

• Dissolve the yeast in the warm cream in a bowl. Mix with two tablespoons of the sugar and set aside to proof for 10 minutes. When the mixture starts becoming frothy, stir in the cornmeal. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, beat the remaining sugar with the butter until fluffy, either by hand or in an electric mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the cornmeal mixture and the salt.
• Beat in the flour about one half cup at a time either by hand or using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, to form a soft, elastic dough. The dough should be kneaded about eight minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly oiled bowl, cover and set aside to rise until doubled, about two hours.
• Punch the dough down, divide it in half and form each into a rectangle nine inches on one side. Roll each tightly and shape them into two oblong loaves. Butter two loaf pans, nine by five by three inches, and put the loaves into the pans, seam side down. Allow to rise until doubled, about one hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake about 40 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

CORNMEAL BISCUIT SAUSAGE DRESSING

Steps:

• For the cornmeal biscuits: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over low heat.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, thyme, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Pour in 5 tablespoons butter and the buttermilk and stir until just combined. Pour the remaining tablespoon butter into the hot skillet. Turn off the heat and use a teaspoon scoop or a couple of spoons to form the dough into tiny drop biscuits into the skillet-they will be touching. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the biscuits to a plate. Wipe out the skillet and return it to the stove over medium-high heat. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet, then add the sausage and break it up with the back of a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving any remaining fat in the skillet. Add the remaining tablespoon butter and let melt, then add the onion and celery to the skillet and cook until both have softened and started to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Return the sausage to the skillet and stir in the salt and pepper. Pour about 1 cup chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits at the bottom. Add the mini biscuits and the saltines. Pour the remaining 2 1/2 to 3 cups broth into the skillet a little at a time, stirring to coat and distribute everything evenly; it should be moist, but not wet. Sprinkle the thyme leaves over the top and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the top is golden brown and the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot or at room temperature.

MINI BRIOCHE ROLLS

Steps:

• Combine the water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (If the bowl is cold, start with warmer water so it's at least 110 degrees when you add the yeast.) Mix with your hands and allow to stand for 5 minutes until the yeast and sugar dissolve. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed for 1 minute, until well mixed. With the mixer on low speed, add 2 cups of the flour and the salt and mix for 5 minutes. With the mixer still on low, add 2 1/4 more cups of flour and mix for 5 more minutes. Scrape the dough into a large buttered bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
• The next day, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 1 hour. Meanwhile, grease 20 mini brioche tins. Set aside.
• Place the dough in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, add the softened butter in chunks, and mix for 2 minutes, adding additional flour as needed to make a ball. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured board and divide the dough into 20 (1 3/4-ounce) balls and place them in the tins. Cover the tins with a damp towel and set aside to rise at room temperature until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. When the rolls have risen, brush the top of each with the egg wash and bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops spring back and it sounds slightly hollow when tapped. Turn the rolls out onto a wire rack to cool.