Cornbread Bites Recipes

SPINACH-CORN BREAD BITES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the muffin mix, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, salad dressing and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the spinach, cheddar cheese and onion. , Fill greased miniature muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.

CRANBERRY CORNBREAD BITES

Steps:

• Special equipment: a 24-cup mini-muffin tin
• For the cranberry relish: Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, salt and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries break down and the relish has thickened, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely. The relish can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept refrigerated in an airtight container.
• For the mini cornbread muffins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 24-cup mini-muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, egg and butter until well combined. Pour the milk mixture into the cornmeal mixture and whisk until just incorporated. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Bake until a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Let cool in the tin 5 minutes. Remove from the tin.
• For the cranberry cornbread bites: Stir together the butter and chives in a small bowl. Cut the muffins in half crosswise with a serrated knife. Spread a little of the chive butter on both sides of a muffin. Top the bottom half with a piece of ham. Spoon a dollop of cranberry sauce on top. Sandwich with the muffin top and place on a platter. Repeat with the remaining muffins.

CORNBREAD AND CHILI BITES

Steps:

• For the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Generously spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg and butter. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the cornmeal mix and whisk until incorporated. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared muffin cups (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon per cup). Rap the muffin pan on the counter several times so the batter spreads evenly in each cup.
• Bake until slightly domed on top and golden brown on the underside, about 10 minutes. Cool completely in the pan. Hold a paring knife at an angle to cut a conical shape out of the top of each muffin so that the base is like a shallow bowl. Reserve the cut-out tops.
• For the chili: Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion and chili powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the chocolate and 3/4 cup water and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has cooked off, about 10 minutes. Keep warm or reheat before serving.
• Make the bites: Reheat the cornbread if desired (the best way is in the microwave 1 to 2 minutes to avoid drying them out). Divide the chili evenly between the cornbread cups and top with a sprinkling of cheese and scallions. Place the cornbread top on top and serve warm.

CORNBREAD BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a 12-cup mini-muffin tin or coat with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Combine buttermilk, egg, and oil. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until combined. Divide batter into 3 batches (1 cup each), and stir a flavor combination into each.
• Fill cups of muffin tin three-quarters full with 1 batch of batter. Bake until tops are golden and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Turn out muffins from tin. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve warm or at room temperature. Muffins can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

CHILI TOPPED CORNBREAD BITES

Steps:

• For Chili: In a large pot over medium heat, add the beef and brown well. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Stir in the garlic, spices, chili sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce and salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes to thicken and incorporate flavors. (Reserve 1 cup of chili for Round 2 Hush Puppies recipe.)
• For Corn Muffins: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 (24-cup) or 3 (12-count) mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, mix together the baking mix, cornmeal, and sugar. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined, then mix in melted butter. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just incorporated (reserve 1 cup the batter for Round 2 Hush Puppies recipe). Using a tablespoon or mini ice cream scoop fill the muffin tins 3/4 of the way up with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in top of the muffins comes out clean, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• To Assemble: Using a small teaspoon, scoop out a small amount from the top of the mini cornbread muffins. (Save these pieces for the (Bacon Cornbread Stuffed Mushrooms recipe). Fill the top of each muffin with a tablespoon of the chili. Top with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Transfer to a serving platter and serve.

CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400°F. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square pan or 9-inch round cake pan with the cooking spray.
• In a 1-quart saucepan, heat the butter over low heat until melted.
• In a large bowl, beat the melted butter, milk and egg with a fork or wire whisk until well mixed. Add the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt all at once; stir just until the flour is moistened (batter will be lumpy). Pour batter into the pan; use a rubber spatula to scrape batter from bowl. Spread batter evenly in pan and smooth top of batter.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm.

CORNBREAD BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.
• Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl.
• Combine cheese and remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a small bowl; stir with a whisk.
• Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened.
• Divide batter evenly among miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
• Cool in cups 2 minutes on wire racks; remove from pans.
• Cool completely on wire racks.