Pumpkin Cornbread
I know there are as many ways to serve chili as there are people with opinions, but in my book chili is best served with a thick slice of cornbread made for dipping. I’m always looking for ways to create the recipes in each issue that serve as a sort of “capsule”. I try to use similar ingredients so you can use up everything you buy at the store. So after looking at the half used can of pumpkin in my fridge leftover from the pumpkin curry, I decided to create a recipe that used exactly what was left. That’s this recipe! The cornbread bakes up moist and golden colored from the pumpkin puree, but you can barely detect that it’s there. Not only does it add vitamins, but the subtle earthy sweet flavor of pumpkin glimmers in the background. It’s the perfect side to serve with breakfast or the autumnal chili above!
Ingredients:
Makes 8 servings
2 eggs
¼ cup honey
¼ cup butter, melted
1 cup milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal or masa flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. I like to melt my butter in the oven as it preheats in the 9x13 baking dish I plan on using. Not only does it save me a dish to wash from melting the butter, but a quick swirl of the butter greases your pan just enough to keep the baked good from sticking to the sides! While that melts, whisk the eggs and honey in a large bowl. Pour the just melted butter in and whisk again. Add the milk and pumpkin puree and whisk yet again. Add the flour, cornmeal (or masa flour!), baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients and fold it together until just mixed. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and pop it in the oven for about 3o minutes. You don’t want to overcook it, so check it with a toothpick or knife in the middle after 30 minutes. It should come out clean with no wet batter stuck to it. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing into chunky squares, perfect for dipping! I like to warm leftovers in the oven before enjoying to bring it back to peak deliciousness!
