Brown Butter Corn Spoon Bread – Recipe!

The countdown to Thanksgiving begins, and I am so excited to share some delightful recipes.  This year will be slightly different than the last because we can have a few more folks at our table.  Side dishes are my favorite thing on any holiday buffet, and this dish is no exception.  Corn based recipes are always a favorite in my family, and this simple spoon bread is so creamy good that I think it’ll be yours too.

Corn Pudding is one favorite dish I already have here on my blog from a previous year’s post, so I thought this time around I would add another corn filled recipe, but with a little more southern charm.  Spoon Bread originated in the deep south in the mid 1800’s, and got it’s name from the fact that you have to use a spoon to serve it.  This cornmeal based bread serves more like a pudding, but has the consistency of a super moist corn bread.  It’s not cake-like in any way, and not overly sweet, but just a good old-fashioned corn recipe, like they serve in the south.

Fresh or frozen corn is combined with a can (yes a can) of creamed corn, and a host of other pantry items along with some brown butter.  It’s quick to prepare and you can bake it off when the oven becomes free, after the turkey is resting peacefully on the cutting board.  What’s great about this dish is that it pairs nicely with turkey and all the sides, and it tastes like a skillet of comfort food with flavors reminiscent of Thanksgiving.  My Grandma Bell would’ve definitely approved of this spoon bread on her family table.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons butter

1 cup fresh or frozen defrosted corn, white or yellow

14 ounce can creamed corn

2/3 cup fine cornmeal

1/3 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/4 cups Jack cheese, shredded

(Serves 4-6)

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a 8-inch skillet or oven proof pan, add butter and place over medium heat on stove top.  Melt butter and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes.  Remove skillet from heat, set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except cheese and stir.
3. Add all, but 1 tablespoon melted butter (leaving 1 tablespoon in skillet), then add cheese, stir.
4. Spoon batter into pan, smooth out on top.  Bake in oven for 28-32 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top.
5. Remove and let cool at least 10 minutes before serving.  Serve warm or room temperature.  Enjoy!