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Quick cornbread mixes.


CORNBREAD IS THE MEAL OF PRINCES and paupers, or anyone who likes a hearty and semi-fast meal (fast to mix, a bit of time to bake). The dry component of the cornbread mix can be combined and stored in an airtight air·tight  
adj.
1. Impermeable by air.

2. Having no weak points; sound: an airtight excuse.


airtight
Adjective

1.
 container until ready to use. White or yellow cornmeal corn·meal also corn meal  
n.
Meal made from corn, used in a wide variety of foods. Also called Indian meal.

Noun 1.
 work equally well. The liquid ingredients can be added right before popping in the oven or the microwave. Cornbread is a light labor task. Cornbread batter should be mixed only until all the ingredients are combined. There may be some lumps, but that's okay. Overmixed cornbread can be dry.

To prepare and store the dry cornbread mix, you'll need a measuring cup, measuring spoons, and airtight containers. To prepare the mixes in the following four recipes, you have two options:

* Combine all dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. Have liquid ingredients on hand to add in at a later date.

* Combine all ingredients (wet and dry) and refrigerate re·frig·er·ate  
tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates
1. To cool or chill (a substance).

2. To preserve (food) by chilling.
 for up to three days before baking.

The secret to a crusty crust·y  
adj. crust·i·er, crust·i·est
1. Having, resembling, or being a crust.

2. Rough or surly in manner. See Synonyms at gruff.
 cornbread is the cornmeal and the baking dish. For a crispy crisp·y  
adj. crisp·i·er, crisp·i·est
1. Firm but easily broken or crumbled; crisp.

2. Having small curls, waves, or ripples.
, crackly-crusted cornbread, you'll need fresh cornmeal and a cast-iron skillet that can be put in the oven (no rubber or plastic handles). You can get good results with glass or metal oven dishes or muffin tins. The longer the length of the pan, the less baking time and the more crust you'll have. The recipes in this article can be baked in an 8" square or 9" x 13" glass or metal oven dish. You may also use tins that make 6 standard size muffins or 12 mini-muffins.

To save time, bake two batches at once, freezing one (cut into individual portions) for later use. Allow cornbread to cool prior to freezing. To reheat Re`heat´   

v. t. 1. To heat again.
2. To revive; to cheer; to cherish.

Verb 1. reheat - heat again; "Please reheat the food from last night"
, don't thaw cornbread. Wrap in foil or place in a covered oven-proof dish and heat at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes.

Cornbread can be easily microwaved. Microwaving yields a steamy, moist, dense cornbread. You won't get a crust in a microwave, but the cornbread will have a luxurious texture, like a steamed pudding Noun 1. steamed pudding - a pudding cooked by steaming
pudding - any of various soft sweet desserts thickened usually with flour and baked or boiled or steamed
. You can microwave baked, frozen cornbread when you're ready to eat it. And remember, don't let cornbread thaw prior to reheating Reheating

The addition of heat to steam of reduced pressure after the steam has given up some of its energy by expansion through the high-pressure stages of a turbine.
.

If you're a cornbread purist pur·ist  
n.
One who practices or urges strict correctness, especially in the use of words.



pu·ristic adj.
, piping hot cornbread with a dab of vegan vegan /veg·an/ (ve´gan) (vej´an) a vegetarian whose diet excludes all food of animal origin.

ve·gan
n.
 margarine will suffice. If you'd like to create cornbread meals, you can add in a small amount (about 3 Tablespoons for our recipes) of extra ingredients to the batter before baking, as follows:

* Canned: Chilies, pimentos, corn, mixed veggies Veggies of Nottingham, also known as Veggies Catering Campaign, is a campaigning group based in Nottingham, England, promoting ethicalbum alternatives to mainstream fast food. , kidney beans, sliced mushrooms, sliced olives, crushed pineapple (drain veggies and fruit prior to adding), nutritional yeast Nutritional yeast, similar to brewer's yeast, is a nutritional supplement popular with vegans and the health conscious, who use it as an ingredient in recipes or simply as a condiment. It is a deactivated yeast, usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae.  (1 Tablespoon), chopped walnuts or pecans, chopped raisins, or chopped dried apricots.

* Frozen: Peas, corn, mixed veggies, chopped okra okra: see mallow.
okra

Herbaceous, hairy, annual plant (Hibiscus esculentus or Abelmoschus esculentus), of the mallow family, grown for its edible fruit. Okra leaves are deeply notched; flowers are yellow with a crimson centre.
, or black-eyed peas. (Allow veggies to thaw prior to adding.)

* Vegan "dairy" and "meat": Sour cream, shredded cheese, soy crumbles, vegan ground round, crumbled vegan sausage, or chopped Tofurky[TM] or seitan sei·tan  
n.
A chewy, protein-rich food made from wheat gluten and used as a meat substitute.
.

* Fresh: Corn off the cob, or chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, mango, or fresh chilies.

If you'd like to let everyone create their own cornbread flavor, you can have toppings on hand. Here are some suggestions:

* Sweet: Applesauce, chopped canned fruit, mashed or sliced bananas, maple syrup maple syrup: see under maple. , molasses molasses, sugar byproduct, the brownish liquid residue left after heat crystallization of sucrose (commercial sugar) in the process of refining. Molasses contains chiefly the uncrystallizable sugars as well as some remnant sucrose. , chopped dried fruit, chopped nuts, carob carob (kăr`əb), leguminous evergreen tree (Ceratonia siliqua) of the family Leguminosae (pulse family), native to Mediterranean regions but cultivated in other warm climates, including Florida and California.  chips, vegan fruit-flavored yogurt, peanut butter, or margarine.

* Savory savory, name for any plant of the genus Satureja, aromatic herbs and subshrubs of the family Labiatae (mint family). Commonly cultivated as border ornamentals or potherbs are two species of the Mediterranean region and surrounding areas: summer savory (S. : Salsa, vegan chili, canned beans, heated vegan chopped sausage, chopped white or green onions, vegan sour cream, canned creamed corn Creamed corn is a side dish of the cuisine of the Midwest and has now become a common part of American cuisine, typically sold canned by firms such as Del Monte Foods. It is an almost soupy version of sweetcorn. Not to be confused with crammed corn. , or cooked lentils.

Filled or topped, a hearty serving of cornbread makes a hearty meal. In the morning, pair cornbread with a hot soy or rice chocolate beverage or a fruit smoothie smooth·ie also smooth·y  
n. pl. smooth·ies Slang
1. A person regarded as being assured and artfully ingratiating in manner.

2. A smooth-tongued person.
. For lunch or dinner, pair with a salad, some grilled or steamed veggies, and a mug of soup.

The recipes we've included in this article, except for the first one, are lowfat. All can be baked in the oven or microwave and can also be used to make corn cakes (cornmeal pancakes). To make cornmeal pancakes, prepare one of the recipes, then drop the batter onto a preheated, vegetable oil-sprayed or nonstick non·stick  
adj.
Permitting easy removal of adherent food particles: a frying pan with a nonstick surface.


nonstick
Adjective
 frying pan. Just like pancakes, flip corn cakes once when the batter begins to bubble.

If you allow yourself an occasional indulgence, prepare hot water cornbread. Simply make one of the recipes, omitting half the called-for liquid (you want a stiff batter). Drop the cornbread batter by spoonfuls into hot vegetable oil and deep fry until golden and crispy. This is a traditional Southern dish.

Note: For the recipes below, Energy egg replacer can be purchased in natural foods stores or ordered online. For more information on this product, see the company's website at <www.ener-g.com>.
NOW AND LATER
CORNBREAD MIX
(Makes 15 two-inch square pieces)

DRY MIX
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon salt
1 cup sugar (your favorite vegan variety)
4 Tablespoons baking powder
4 cups cornmeal
4 Tablespoons Ener-G egg replacer

Combine all ingredients and store
in an airtight container.

LIQUID INGREDIENTS

1 cup vegetable shortening or vegan
  margarine
3 Tablespoons water
1 cup say or rice milk (Use a lowfat
  version, if desired.)
Vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In
a large bowl, combine all ingredients
and mix only until blended.
If mix does not appear moist (like
extremely thick pancake batter),
you may slowly add 1-2 additional
Tablespoons of water. Spray vegetable
oil into baking dishes or
muffin tins, then pour in batter.
Bake for 20 minutes or until knife
inserted in center comes out clean.

Total calories per serving: 420
Carbohydrates: 66 grams
Sodium: 810 milligrams
Fat: 15 grams
Protein: 7 grams
Fiber: 3 grams

Notes:

1) If you want to prepare half this
recipe, use 21/2 cups dry mix,
1/2 cup shortening, 4 teaspoons
water, and 3/4 cup milk.

2) To prepare this entire recipe,
pour batter into a baking pan
and refrigerate for 8-12 hours
before baking.

LOWFAT CORNBREAD
(Serves 4-6)

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 Tablespoons sugar (your favorite vegan
  variety)
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer
1 cup soymilk
5 Tablespoons applesauce
Vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Combine all ingredients until just
mixed. Spray vegetable oil into
an oven-proof dish or muffin tins
(or use the nonstick variety), then
pour in batter. Bake for 20 minutes
or until knife inserted in
center comes out clean.

Total calories per serving: 250
Carbohydrates: 53 grams
Sodium: 880 milligrams
Fat: 2 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Fiber: 3 grams

Notes: To prepare dry mix ahead,
measure and combine cornmeal,
flour, baking soda, salt, and egg
replacer. Store in airtight container
until ready to use. To microwave,
spray vegetable oil into a 1-quart
microwave dish, pour in prepared
batter, cover with damp cloth or
paper towels, and microwave on
HIGH for 4 minutes. Remove
towels, and microwave for 4 more
minutes on HIGH or until knife
inserted in center comes out clean.

WHEAT- AND SUGAR-FREE CORNBREAD
(Makes 6-8 two-inch square places)

1     cup cornmeal
1/2   teaspoon salt
1/2   teaspoon baking soda
1     cup unsweetened milk
1     Tablespoon lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon Ener-G egg replacer mixed with 2 Tablespoons water
1     Tablespoon  vegan margarine

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix cornmeal, salt, and
baking soda, and set aside. Put soymilk in a large cup,
then add lemon juice to "sour." Combine "sour"
soymilk with egg replacer. Add to cornmeal mixture
and stir only to combine. Place in 8" square or 9" x 13"
baking dish, cast-iron skillet, or muffin tins. Dot the
top of batter with margarine and bake until golden,
about 20 minutes. This recipe doesn't rise very much,
but it forms a nice crust.

Notes:

To premake mix, you can measure and combine cornmeal,
salt, baking soda, and egg replacer. Store in an
airtight container until ready to add liquid ingredients.

To microwave this recipe, place prepared batter in a
1-quart microwave dish. Cover with wet cloth or paper
towel. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes. Remove
towel and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes or until
knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Total calories per serving: 90
Carbohydrates: 15 grams
Sodium: 270 milligrams
Fat: 3 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Fiber: 2 grams

WHOLE WHEAT CORNBREAD
(Serves 6-8)

2     cups cornmeal
1/2   cup whole wheat flour
2/3   cup oat flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder
2     cups soy or rice milk
3     Tablespoons applesauce
3     teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer
3     Tablespoons water
Vegetable oil spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine
cornmeal, whole wheat flour, oat flour, and baking
powder. In a second bowl, combine milk, applesauce,
egg replacer, and water. Combine the contents of both
bowls and mix only until combined.

Spray an 8" square pan, cast-iron skillet, or muffin
tins with oil. Pour in batter and bake until a knife
inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25
minutes.

Total calories per serving: 220
carbohydrates: 43 grams
Sodium: 340 milligrams
Fat: 3.5 grams
Protein: 7 grams
Fiber: 6 grams

Notes:

To make ahead, measure and combine cornmeal,
whole wheat and oat flours, baking powder, and egg
replacer. Place in airtight container and store until
ready to use. You can prepare this entire recipe, then
pour mixture into a baking pan and place in the
refrigerator for 8-12 hours prior to baking.


Commercial Cornbread Mixes

If you'd like to skip the measuring, look for the following commercial mixes.

* El Torito The format developed by Phoenix Technologies and IBM that has become the standard for creating bootable CD-ROMs on the Intel platform. El Torito provides only the format. In order to make a CD-ROM bootable, the correct boot images must be placed on the disc, and the target computer must  Sweet Corn Cake Mix: Add vegan margarine where directions call for butter. (Note that this product contains sugar.)

* Energ-G Corn Mix (yellow corn flour, baking powder, salt): This mix is kosher and free of wheat, gluten gluten, mixture of proteins present in the cereal grains. The long molecules of gluten, insoluble in water, are strong and flexible and form many cross linkages. , dairy, egg, soy, yeast, and sugar. Their website is <www.ener-g.com>.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Vegetarian Resource Group
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Title Annotation:Vegan Cooking Tips
Author:Berkoff, Nancy
Publication:Vegetarian Journal
Date:Jan 1, 2004
Words:1625
Previous Article:Untitled.(Vegetarian Journal's 2003 Essay Winners)
Next Article:The New Becoming Vegetarian: The Essential Guide to a Healthy Vegetarian Diet.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
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