Pimento Cheese Cornbread Recipes

PIMENTO CHEESE CORNBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400*.
• Brush melted butter in a cast-iron cornbread pan or skillet, coating entire surface so that cornbread does not stick.
• Place pan in oven to heat.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients, stirring until just moist.
• Spoon batter into prepared pan.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until top begins to brown.

PIMENTO CHEESE-STUFFED CORN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Stir together the Cheddar, cream cheese, pimentos, onion, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a mixing bowl until combined and creamy. Divide the cheese mixture into 12 heaping tablespoons and shape into balls. Chill the balls until firm and cold, about 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, butter and beaten egg and yolk in another medium bowl. Fold the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture using a rubber spatula, mixing until a slightly lumpy batter just comes together.
• Fill each prepared muffin tin cup about halfway full with some of the batter. Put a chilled cheese ball in each muffin cup, pushing down slightly so the batter swells up around the cheese. Top evenly with the remaining batter (each cheese ball will be completely covered) and dust lightly with cayenne. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

PIMIENTO-CORNMEAL CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Scallion Mayonnaise: Stir together mayonnaise and scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. (Makes 1/2 cup.)
• Croquettes: In a heavy pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil; add 1 teaspoon salt. Slowly stir in cornmeal in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cornmeal is tender and has thickened, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cheese spread and chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture into an 8-by-8-inch straight-sided baking dish. Let cool completely, then refrigerate, covered, until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Turn cornmeal mixture out onto a cutting board. Slice into thirty-six 1 1/4-inch squares. Place flour, eggs, and panko in separate shallow dishes. A few at a time, coat squares in flour, shaking off excess; then dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Dredge all sides in breadcrumbs, patting to adhere.
• In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high until a few panko crumbs dropped in sizzle immediately. Working in batches, add squares to skillet and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. (If browning too quickly, reduce heat.) Transfer squares to paper towels; season with salt. Serve with a dollop of scallion mayonnaise and garnished with greens; or let cool completely and freeze in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, covered tightly with plastic wrap, up to 2 weeks.

PIMIENTO SOUR CREAM CORNBREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine dry ingredients; mix well. Add remaining ingredients and stir just until moistened. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until bread tests done.

BACON-PIMIENTO CHEESE CORN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Whisk together cheese spread, butter, sour cream and egg until blended. Add muffin mix; stir just until moistened. Fold in bacon., Fill 10 greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 10-12 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm.