Crusty Whole-Grain Cornbread — Gluten-Free

Honey drizzled over warm cornbread…wonderful!  Raspberry preserves spread over a another wedge…delicious!  During a week of making extra-easy meals, I really enjoyed a simple pan of crusty cornbread.  Some of it went with soup.  I toasted another wedge in the oven to go with chili and beans.  The last piece was pan-grilled to go with eggs for breakfast.

Crusty Whole-Grain Cornbread

The most important part of the directions to make it has to do with the pan and how it’s preheated.   A cast iron skillet is best, or a large ceramic quiche pan or pie plate will also work.  The idea is to preheat the skillet or pan with a little of the bacon drippings or oil until it’s almost smoking.  That helps bake cornbread with a crisp, tasty crust!

Crusty Whole-Grain Cornbread — Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

1 Cup Cornmeal, Whole-grain, finely ground, or “Masa”

1 Cup Cornmeal, Whole-grain, medium ground

2 Tbsp. Agave Nectar or Honey, or 1/4 Cup Sugar

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Xanthan Gum, optional

2 Large Eggs

1 Cup Milk, 1% Lowfat, or milk substitute

1 Tablespoon Bacon Drippings, or Oil

1/4 Cup Oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425F. Put the bacon drippings in a 9-inch cast iron skillet or 9- or 10-inch ceramic or glass baking dish in the oven.

Stir together the dry ingredients in mixing bowl; xanthan is optional. Measure milk into measuring pitcher; add oil; add eggs; whisk or stir with a fork.Pour onto dry ingredients and whisk (or use rotary beater) till just smooth.(Do not overbeat.)

When drippings in pan are hot (just about smoking!) quickly pour in the batter and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.   Top should be lightly browned and firm.Serve immediately.

–For thinner cornbread, use two 8-inch pans. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

–To make Corn Sticks, use same method with corn-stick pans, filling 2/3 full and baking for 10-12 minutes. Makes 18.

Mix Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 25 – 30 minutes

This gluten-free cornbread has no wheat, barley or rye.   It can also be casein-free, dairy-free, lactose-free, nut-free and refined sugar-free, not to mention soy-free and vegetarian, too.

This also works well to make dressing for holiday turkeys!

Linked to:

- Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesday

- Gluten-Free Homemaker’s Gluten-Free Wednesday

- Miz Helen’s Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday

- The King’s Court IV What’s Cooking Wednesday

- The Nourishing Gourmet’s Pennywise Platter Thursday

– Frugal Follies’ Frugal Food Thursday

- Cybele Pascal’s Allergy Friendly Friday

This gluten-free recipe is designed for those with gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity, celiac (coeliac) disease, but I’ve found that people who have no food allergies like it, too. It’s one of my gluten-free recipes that is wheat-free, barley-free and rye-free, and depending on the bread you use, it can be dairy-free, nut-free and refined sugar-free.

Would you like to find out more about how you too can eat and live gluten-free? If you would, check out my latest book by clicking the book cover below. It’s easier than you think !