Cheddar and Jalapeno Cornbread

This is a quick and very tasty corn bread that you can whip up to go with soups or stews in no time at all. It’s got pretty regular ingredients that you probably have hanging around in your pantry and fridge. This is based on a recipe from Ina Garten, but my hubby doesn’t care too much for the green onions so I cut down on the amount or leave them out all together if I don’t have any on hand. I add some black pepper and a little more sugar that the original, just because that’s how I like it. Here’s all you need:

3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal – fine ground
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
2 cups milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted plus more for greasing the pan
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 tbsp. minced jalapeno peppers (more to taste if you want to turn up the heat)
1/3 cup chopped green onions (optional)

Start melting the butter over low heat or on the microwave. (I don’t do microwave because I always end up with a mess trying to melt butter but feel free to use it if you are good at it! :-)) Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper) in a large mixing bowl.

Combine the milk with the eggs in a separate bowl or measuring cup. Once the butter is melted, add it to the egg/milk mixture. Use a rubber spatula to stir the liquid into the dry ingredients. When it’s about 1/2 combined, add the green onion (if using) and jalapeno. Mix in one cup of the cheese, reserving 1/2 a cup for the top, but don’t over mix. Allow the batter to sit for 20-30 minutes so the dry ingredients absorb the wet.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter (and I also coat with baking spray) a 13 x 9 baking dish. No sense in making this bread if you can’t get it out of the pan, right? Pour the batter in the pan and smooth over the top, and sprinkle with the reserved cheese. Bake for 30 -35 minutes until the top is light brown and a cake tester comes out clean. You can serve immediately with butter or along side your favorite soup or chili. It’s also great with scrambled eggs for breakfast. Enjoy!