Corn Spoonbread with Cheddar and Bacon
(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)
Source: Arkansa Democrat Gazette
Serves 6 peopleCategories: Breads
Ingredients
- 3 thick slices Applewood smoked bacon,
- coarsely chopped
- 3 cups whole milk, divided use
- kosher salt and ground black pepper
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-
- ground
- 4 Tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces
- 3 eggs, separated
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
- 4 green onions, white and pale green parts,
- finely chopped, plus more fir garnish
Directions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring frequently, until crisp and golden, about 6 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Use the rendered fat to coat a 2-qaurt baking dish or 6 individual baking dishes.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat 2 cups of the milk, 1 1/2 tsp. of salt and 1/4 tsp. of pepper to scalding. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, whisking frequently, until the cornmeal is quite thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the butter and whisk until melted.
- In a bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 cup milk and the egg yolks and whisk into the cornmeal mixture. Stir in the cheese, corn, green onions and bacon. Set aside.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with a handheld mixer on high speed until medium-stiff peaks form. Stir about 1/4 of the whites into the cornmeal mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whites. Spread the cornmeal mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish(es).
- Bake until puffed and golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the depth of the baking dish. Garnish with additional green onion and serve immediately.
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Variation: For a little heat, substitute pepper Jack or jalapeno cheddar for the extra-sharp cheddar.