Monday, November 8, 2010

Blue and Yellow Corn Muffins and A Winner!


 Chili and cornbread or corn muffins are one of those classic combination of flavors that compliment each other perfectly, just like milk and cookies.  I saw these beautiful blue and yellow corn muffins posted at food blog, My Year on the Grill. I love blue corn tortilla chips so the idea of adding blue cornmeal to corn muffins sounded great to me!  I also loved how they looked baked together so I have to admit that the 'cute factor' played a big role in trying these also.



Luckily, I was able to find blue corn meal at my local grocery store (I used Bob's Red Mill brand).  The yellow corn and blue corn batters are mixed separately and a scoop of each batter are simultaneously poured into each muffin cup. This requires a little dexterity but wasn't too difficult.  I just grabbed a heaping tablespoon of batter in each hand and plopped it in, adding more if necessary. You could probably use two 1/4 cup measuring cups also.


I then tapped the pan gently on the kitchen counter to even out the level of the batters.


Although these are very good, I found them a drier than other cornbread I've made.  Next time, I think I'll find a way to add additional moisture to the recipe such as adding some plain yogurt or using creamed corn instead of corn kernels.  These would be fun to serve for a football party along with your favorite chili!

Blue and Yellow Corn Muffins Adapted from Mesa Grill's Blue and Yellow Corn Muffins found Here
You can find A Year on The Grill's version Here
Printable Recipe

Note: My recipe differs slightly from the original in that I also sauteed the red pepper, chilies and corn before adding to the batter.

6 Tbs unsalted butter
½ cup finely diced red onion
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-1/3 cups whole milk (I might try Greek yogurt next time)
4 large eggs
2 Tbs honey
½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
2 jalapeno chiles, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
2 Tbs finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup blue cornmeal
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
4 tsp kosher salt

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or nonstick cooking spray.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Divide the mixture evenly between 2 large bowls. Return the pan to the heat and add the red pepper, jalapeno and corn. Saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add half to each of the bowls containing the onion mixture.

In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, honey and cilantro. Pour the mixture into a measuring cup and add half of the mixture to each of the large bowls containing the onion and pepper mixture.

Put the blue cornmeal and yellow cornmeal in 2 separate bowls. To each bowl, add ⅔ cups flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix each cornmeal mixture into a bowl with the liquid mixture.

Pour an equal amount of each batter side by side into each muffin cup and bake for about 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out with a few moist crumbs on it. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then remove to a cooking rack. The batters can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated.

My Notes: These are best eaten soon after baking as they are best when warm.

43 comments:

  1. Well, I am crying, but congrats to the winner!
    The muffin looks interesting and I am sure you will find a way to make it moist!

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  2. This is a "cute factor" meal for sure! I agree the cute factor makes me try many a new recipe as well as splurge on a plate or two :)

    I think the addition of creamed corn sounds like an great idea - I love the spoonbread type of cornbread the most.

    Great photos as always!

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  3. Cute factor indeed! I love the look of these muffins.

    Congratulations to SHF on the CSN win!

    :)
    ButterYum

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  4. Your muffins are so adorable!!! And since I am a fan of cornbread I know I'd love them. Congrats to your winner!

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  5. Well, I am blue, but I am not a muffin! Congrats to the winner!

    The muffins look great!

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  6. Congratulations to the winner!
    The chili looks so good!
    Have a great week.

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  7. I'm another fan of those cute muffins, Susan! They look like a wonderful chili accompaniment! I also like my cornmeal spicy and add fresh red pepper to it.

    Congrats to the winner! She has a cute blog name :)

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  8. The muffins are really different!
    Congrats to Scrambled Hen Friut, I know she'll be thrilled:@)

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  9. Yep...those have a cuteness factor of at least 8 out of 10. I might swirl the tops if I ever make them, just to add some excitement. :-) - www.delightfulcountrycookin.com

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  10. Congrats to the lucky winner!

    You've really dressed up the ordinary corn muffin, Susan. This one is company worthy.

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  11. These muffins are so beautiful. i have never seen blue corn, nor have I eaten it. I wish I would.

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  12. I've made corn muffins, bread and sticks but for some reason never with blue corn... looks gorgeous with the yellow (your great pictures are a part of that!) and I love the bits of corn in them... they would be great with chili... thanks for the great recipe!

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  13. Happy Dance!!! So excited to win your giveaway- thanks bunches!! :) Those muffins are seriously cute, and sound delicious too. I've never made blue corn muffins before, but I think it's time to try.

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  14. Your muffins do look really cute! Congratulations to scrambledhenfruit!

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  15. These look great! You could also layer them in the cupcake for a hidden surprise, but I really like the way you did them! Gee, now I'm thinking checkerboard . . . I could have fun with this recipe! Thanks for a great idea - I also love corn bread, and make a lot of veggie chile during the cold weather!

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  16. Just read this on Mennonite Girls Can Cook - it would go great with your muffins! Here's the link.
    http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/2010/11/chunky-guacamole.html

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  17. Congrats to the winner!

    The muffin sure looks "purty" - I've never made any type of cornbread so don't know if I would like them or not..but they look good next to that chili!!

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  18. Congrats to the winner. I am intrigued by the blue corn!!

    I think the creaned corn will do the trick!!

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  19. These are awesome and I've definitely bookmarked them! They're so unique and pretty and I LOVE blue corn anything :)

    Sues

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  20. The muffins look marvelous! Blue corn...I am going to look for some and try the recipe.
    Congratulations to your winner!
    Angie

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  21. What a beautiful muffin. It truly is a work of art as all of your food is. I just love perusing all of your pictures, your gallery is amazing and it makes me soooo hungry. Beautiful food is a treasure. I would love to make these for a party although the family would love them too. Great idea.

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  22. Ciao, bella! Che ricetta supergolosa!!! E' sempre un piacere curiosare nel tuo fantastico blog ;-)

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  23. Congrats to Scrambled Hen Fruit, what a nice giveaway.

    I love Biscoff cookies and would have preferred them to the ones I found. I didn't know Walgreens had them. I will search them out. After my husband first had them on the airlines, he ordered a whole case from the company! Thanks for the info.

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  24. What an intersting recipe. We love corn muffins in the winter. Love the flavors.

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  25. These would have gone deliciously with the red quinoa chili I made for dinner. I did put a quart in the freezer so there's still time to do the muffins. Now to find the blue cornmeal.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  26. I had Bobby Flay's blue and yellow muffins when i went to mesa grill last year...excellent. And yours look like the spitting image! I think adding some yogurt is a great idea for them!

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  27. Congrats to SGF! This is a wonderful recipe to try! I'll be looking for blue cornmeal. Your photos are gorgeous as usual!

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  28. What a greta idea to spilt the color of the cornmeal. It's so elegant and festive. Can't wait to try it out!

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  29. Your house must have smelled wonderful! I like the chunkiness of this corn muffin, also the two tone corn meal gives this a great novel touch. Now I want corn bread!

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  30. such great photos as always. .yummy muffins! clap!clap!

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  31. Congrats to the winner , u made her thanksgiving so special!!
    The Muffins look so beautifully baked , i love how u take any recipe and make it totally beautiful and delicious!!
    An art of creativity!
    Dey dont look dry but ur idea of adding moisture to them rocks gurl!
    Ur chilli looks soooo gooddd too!

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  32. they look great! I never ate muffins with these ingredients, are new to me!your photos are lovely, as usual..... a hug

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  33. I love the look of these and like usual your phtos are amazing! Joni

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  34. This is my first time here and it just feels right. I love it! And I will be coming back, for sure!

    If you can, please go visit my new blog and tell me what you think. It will be great to have you there. :-)


    Luciane at HOMEBUNCH.COM

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  35. This is my first time here and it just feels right. I love it! And I will be coming back, for sure!

    If you can, please go visit my new blog and tell me what you think. It will be great to have you there. :-)


    Luciane at HOMEBUNCH.COM

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  36. Cute factor yes! The red bowl is lovely.

    Congratulations to SHF on the CSN win!

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  37. To me, food is never too pretty to eat. However, in this case, I'd have to shellac that adorable corn muffin and put it on display!

    I'll have to look for blue cornmeal and recreate your two-tone muffin.

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  38. Love these...the contrasting colors are so appealing, and I like that you
    sauteed the peppers and chilies first, adds so much to the flavor :)

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  39. Sorry forgot 2 things...
    Congratulations to your winner :)
    And, I love these photos :)

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  40. Dear Susan, I have a surprise for you, please take a look...A hug...

    http://chiara-lavogliamatta.blogspot.com/2010/11/susans-zucchini-pie.html

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  41. Thank you for the shout out. I do agree about them being a little dry, but a little honey in the morning on em and they were great. I am going to try the creamed corn idea next thanks for the idea!

    Dave

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I appreciate your comment!