Nebraska Corn Muffins

Corn Muffins with a slight kick.  You may have to adjust the amount of Tabasco if you want it to be spicier than what the recipe calls for.  This can also be made in that cast iron frying pan, which will give it a wonderful crust.  Delish!



1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tbs sugar ( or more)
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup milk, at room temperature
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, at room temperature, slightly beaten
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly butter twelve 3 x 1-1/4 inch muffin cups

Stir together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt.  In another bowl combine the milk, oil, eggs and Tabasco.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add the milk mixture and stir just to combine.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center of muffin comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing muffins from cups.  Serve warm

The recipe calls for fresh or frozen corn,  Dare we use creamed corn?

Jamaican Banana Bread

Get ready because you are gonna love this!!

A little twist on the traditional Banana Bread.  This bead has raisins and dark rum, a combination that could possibly cause you to hide the finished product and save it all for yourself.

1 pound very ripe bananas, 3-4 medium-sized bananas
1 tsp dark rum
2/3 cup golden raisins
2 cups all-purpose flour
8 tbs (4 oz) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tbs grated orange rind
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly butter a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

Mash bananas n a bowl with a fork and add the rum.  In another bowl toss the raisins with 2 tablespoons of the flour.

Cream the butter with the sugar until fluffy and light.  Add the egg and beat until smooth.

In another bowl sift the remaining flour with the baking powder, salt and nutmeg.  Add the grated orange rind.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add half the banana mixture, blending well, and then half the butter mixture.  Repeat the process with the rest of the bananas and the remaining butter mixture.  Stir in the raisins and nuts.  Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 1 hour until the loaf is lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing the bread from the pan.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

I have not tried to freeze this, but I bet that because of the rum,  it would just get better.  Enjoy!  

Capri Salad (Tomato and Mozzarella)

This is a delicious and simple recipe for an appetizer.  This would also be nice as summer side dish along side a grill steak or chicken.

2  beefsteak tomatoes
4-1/2 oz mozzarella cheese
12 black olives
8 fresh basil leaves
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper
fresh basil leaves to garnish

Using a sharp knife, cut the tomatoes into thin slices.  Drain mozzarella, if necessary, and cut into slices.  Pit the black olives and slice them into rings.  Layer the tomatoes, mozzarella, olives and basil leaves alternately in a stack, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.  Place each stack under a preheated hot broiler for 2-3 minutes or just long enough to melt the mozzarella. Drizzle over each balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and then season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to individual plates and garnish with basil leaves.