Cornmeal Cheese Muffins Food

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water, butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy, large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk until the polenta begins to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the polenta is very thick and tender, stirring often with a flat-bottom spoon or heatproof rubber spatula to prevent sticking or burning, about 20 minutes. Blend the corn in a mini processor until a coarse puree forms. Stir the corn puree into the polenta. Season with more salt if desired.

EASY CORN TAMALES

Steps:

• Working in batches, add the corn kernels to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the egg, salt, and baking powder. Mix to incorporate. Add the flour and pureed corn and mix until blended and forms a loose smooth dough.
• Put a corn husk lengthwise in front of you with the wide side closest to you. Spread 3 tablespoons of the dough all over the bottom half (wide side) of the corn husk, leaving about a 1-inch-wide border on the left and right sides. Pick up the 2 long sides of the corn husk and bring them together. Roll both sides of the corn husks in the same direction over the filling.
• Repeat with remaining corn husks and dough. Arrange the tamales, seam side down, in a steamer and add 1/2-inch of water. Cover with a tight fitting lid, bring to a simmer and steam for 1 hour, adding additional water, as needed to maintain 1/2-inch of water in the pan. Remove the tamales from the steamer to a serving platter and serve.

CORNMEAL BISCUITS

Steps:

• Whisk 1 1/3 cups flour, 1/3 cup cornmeal, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of cayenne. Work in 6 tablespoons diced cold butter with your fingers until crumbly. Stir in 2/3 cup half-and-half and 1 tablespoon honey; let sit 5 minutes. Pat into a 1/2-inch-thick square on a floured surface and cut into 8 pieces; shape into rounds and brush with half-and-half. Bake at 425 degrees F on a parchment-lined baking sheet until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

BASIC POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a heavy large saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons of salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, stirring often, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Add the butter, and stir until melted.

CORNMEAL PANCAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and nutmeg in a large bowl. Whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter and vanilla in a medium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined to make a thick batter.
• In another bowl, whip the egg whites until they hold soft peaks. Use a rubber spatula to fold the whites into the batter just until no white streaks remain.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and brush lightly with butter. Working in batches, drop about 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the tops of the pancakes and the undersides are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the pancakes are cooked through, about 1 minute more. Transfer the cooked pancakes to the oven to keep warm and continue to make more pancakes, brushing the skillet with butter as needed, until all the batter has been used. Serve the pancakes with blackberries and maple syrup.

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Place the milk, water, and salt into a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the milk mixture comes to a boil, gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking. Once all of the cornmeal has been incorporated, decrease the heat to low and cover. Remove lid and whisk frequently, every 3 to 4 minutes, to prevent grits from sticking or forming lumps; make sure to get into corners of pot when whisking. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is creamy.
• Remove from the heat, add the pepper and butter, and whisk to combine. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in the cheese a little at a time. Serve immediately.

CLASSIC CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil.
• Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg, vegetable oil and buttermilk, then fold into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes before serving.