Jalapeño Spoonbread

Spoonbread, a traditional Southern dish, is sort of a cross between a soufflé and polenta — a light, fluffy mixture of cornmeal, water, milk and eggs. You could serve it as a vegetarian main dish or as a side. I like to bake this in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 130 grams (1 cup) cornmeal, fine or medium, but not coarse
• 2 cups milk (1 percent or 2 percent)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 eggs, separated
• Kernels from 1 ear of corn or 3/4 cup frozen corn (optional)
• 2 jalapeños, seeded if desired and minced
• 2 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated (1/2 cup) (optional)

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

    200 calories; 9 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 111 milligrams cholesterol; 364 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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6 to 8 servings

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil or butter a 9- or 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 2-quart soufflé dish or baking dish.
2. Combine the water, milk and salt in a heavy medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Slowly add the cornmeal in a very thin stream while stirring all the time with a whisk or a wooden spoon. Turn the heat to low and stir for 10 to 15 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter.
3. One at a time, stir in the egg yolks, then add the optional cheese and corn kernels, and the jalapeños.
4. In a medium bowl or in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium until they form stiff but not dry peaks. Stir 1/4 of the egg whites into the cornmeal mixture and gently fold in the rest. Scrape into the prepared baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until spoonbread is puffed and beginning to brown. Serve at once. Chill leftovers.

• Advance preparation: This is best served right away before it collapses. But the leftovers are delicious. Once this is cooled, you can cut it into wedges. You can reheat, serve at room temperature or brown slices or squares in a little oil.

1 hour