Savory Cornbread Muffins

Still on the search for that tasty cornmeal bite to go along with chili or kidney bean tomato soup (see separate post), I decided to try using frozen corn inside the muffin to add moisture and sweetness.  It is a simple matter, and you can add bits of hot peppers, onion or anything else you want! The texture came out surprisingly coherent though dry between the kernels, just the way I hoped it would. None of that too-mushy, stick to the teeth stuff here! My efforts produced 5 muffin cups worth, an odd number, but turned out fine. After years of avoiding using these silicone muffin cups, I now praise their flexibility. It used to be that when I ran out of batter on the fifth muffin, I had a dilemma with that 6th empty cup, but no more. I'm thinking that if you really want 6 muffins, you can figure out how to add just a little more of each grain, and a dash more water.

Savory Cornbread Muffins (mades 5)

1/2 cup organic whole grain cornmeal
1/2 cup organic brown rice flour
1 Tblsp almond meal
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup frozen (or fresh) corn kernels
1/2 tsp cider vinegar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp chili powder (to sprinkle on top)
1/4 tsp kosher salt (rough not fine for tops)
1/8 cup (a handful) sunflower seeds

1. Mix dry ingredients, all except seeds, rough kosher salt and chili powder.
2.  Measure and mix wet ingredients.
4. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix wet into dry. This will be a crumbly soft dough, not a batter feel. Spoon clumps into silicone muffin cups, shaping gently with fingers into a mound.
5. Press a few sunflower seeds into the tops of each muffin, sprinkle just a little kosher salt and chili powder on tops.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, testing with a toothpick. Some will eat this with honey, others might dip 'em in their soup!

savory cornbread muffins Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 muffin (65g) Amount Per Serving % Daily Value* Calories 134 7% Total Fat 3g 5% Saturated Fat 0g 2% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0% Sodium 103mg 4% Total Carbohydrate 24g 8% Dietary Fiber 2g 9% Sugars 1g 0% Protein 3g 7% Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 1% • Iron 6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calories needs. courtesy of cronometer.com using my data.

Addendum:  Made these without almond flour, substituted 2 tblsp sorghum flour and added 2 tblsp coconut water... stretched nicely into 6 muffins with just a little encouragement. 8/16/13