Barefoot Bloggers: Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
It’s Barefoot Bloggers time again! For the fourth selection, Sabrina and Alexander of Cooking with the Kids have chosen Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread. I thought this was an interesting choice for the group. Definitely a recipe I have overlooked in the Barefoot Contessa at Home book and one I probably never would’ve made on my own.
The recipe is simple and straightforward. I made 1/3 of the recipe, and after a long day, I have to say my mathematical skills were really failing when it came to scaling down some of the ingredients. 
I added extra cheese because I figured everything is better with extra cheese. I also used canned jalapeños and dried chives in place of the fresh scallions. Instead of using two bowls like Ina says, I just dumped all the ingredients into one and stirred with a *plastic* spoon instead of wooden. Yeah, that’s right, I’m a rebel.
On a side note… does anyone have one of those Aero Gardens? Every once in a while, I consider getting one because A: I don’t think an actual garden would work that well in my backyard and B: I almost always use dried herbs instead of fresh because I usually can’t justify the cost of fresh herbs. Especially when I end up using just a little bit and then throwing the rest away.
Anyway, the cornbread smelled great once out of the oven. I let it cool off for a bit and then cut myself a small slice. The texture was really light. On first taste, I don’t know if I would call it Cornbread if I was eating it without knowing what the name of it was. It was more of an almost spongy, cakey texture. Though the second day, eating it at room temperature, it was more like a cornbread I guess. The jalapeños gave it a nice kick, but it wasn’t too spicy. I’m glad I tried this out, I could see myself making it again.
Thanks to Sabrina and Alexander of Cooking with the Kids for picking a great recipe. Be sure to stop by their blog and check out how things went with their Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread. Then head on over to the Barefoot Bloggers blogroll to see how the other members did. The Barefoot Bloggers group is up to 87 members now. If you’ve been thinking about joining but haven’t yet for some reason, what are you waiting for? 
Next time, the recipe selection comes from Ashley of The Spicy Skillet.
Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
Book: Barefoot Contessa at Home
Show: Barefoot Contessa – Episode: The Cat’s Away
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 cups milk
3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus extra to grease the pan
8 ounces aged extra-sharp Cheddar, grated, divided
1/3 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts, plus extra for garnish, 3 scallions
3 tablespoons seeded and minced fresh jalapeño peppers
Check out the directions here!
Carey replied:
Krn, you are making this the next time I make chili. Sometime in November?
July 10, 2008 at 11:32 am. Permalink.
1freshstart replied:
I had the same thoughts about the cornbread, it was more corncake. It was really good. I’ve never had one of those gardens, but when I had limited space on my deck, I bought a little terracotta pot for each of my herbs and they held up really well in it.
July 10, 2008 at 2:54 pm. Permalink.
nbbride06 replied:
Definitely more like corncake. I did 1/3 of the recipe too!
July 10, 2008 at 3:28 pm. Permalink.
Jessica replied:
Only one bowl – sounds like my kitchen style! Glad you liked the cornbread – the pictures are beautiful.
July 10, 2008 at 4:08 pm. Permalink.
Ashley replied:
I usually think of cornbread as being more yellow (I think it usually has a more equal proportion of cornmeal to flour). But whatever you call it, your cornbread looks delicious! Great photos.
July 10, 2008 at 4:57 pm. Permalink.
Erin replied:
Your texture looks perfect. It looks especially yummy with the extra cheese.
July 10, 2008 at 6:57 pm. Permalink.
Kelly D replied:
Your cornbread looks great. No Aero garden but I have herbs in containers that do well. It is much better than taking out a loan to make some pesto.
July 10, 2008 at 7:03 pm. Permalink.
Roni replied:
I’ll be scaling the recipe down next time. We just can’t eat that much corncake. Your’s looks great! Extra cheese is always good, right?
July 10, 2008 at 7:59 pm. Permalink.
bethany replied:
I agree the texture is more like cornbread on the 2nd day. Looks great!
July 10, 2008 at 9:10 pm. Permalink.
Rebecca replied:
These cornbread shots are gorgeous! Please, don’t make me hate you.
July 11, 2008 at 12:49 am. Permalink.
debinhawaii replied:
Your photos are wonderful and your cornbread looks great! I have wondered about the Aero Garden as well but don’t know anyone who has one.
July 11, 2008 at 1:35 am. Permalink.
Christine replied:
Your cornbread looks delicious! My mom had a small aero garden and really enjoys it!
July 11, 2008 at 2:07 am. Permalink.
Elra replied:
What a great texture, I am sure it tastes great!
Btw, I am glad that you are joining MKMW!
July 13, 2008 at 5:05 pm. Permalink.
Laura replied:
Your pictures look great! I agree that is cornbread was very cakey, but I think that is how my husband likes his cornbread. I have been wondering about those areo gardens as well
July 13, 2008 at 5:30 pm. Permalink.
Hannah replied:
you have really nice pics!
July 16, 2008 at 11:45 pm. Permalink.