Broccoli and cheddar corn bread

Broccoli and cheddar corn bread | Me & The Moose. Sneak in some more vegetables in your corn bread. #meandthemoose #cornbread #cornbreadrecipes #broccoliandcheddar #quickbread #hiddenveggies #sidedishes #toddlerrecipes

When we were but wee lads and lasses, M's dad took me to a fancy pants restaurant called Dovetail on the UWS in Manhattan. Despite its pedigree, the restaurant served this perfectly salty and sweet corn bread instead of the traditional sourdough or focaccia. It definitely had whole corn kernels--either fresh or roasted, I'm not sure-- and probably more salt than is healthy. I don't even remember the rest of the meal, but that corn bread haunts my dreams 10 years later. We're planning a return trip in March for our wedding anniversary and I'll be Instagramming the hell out of that dinner.

This also feels like a good game day food and is perfect with a bowl of chili. (My favorite chili recipes here and here.) I have mixed feelings about football (the brain injuries, the low pay for the non-all-stars, turning a blind eye to domestic violence), but we'll be watching the Superbowl this weekend for the commercials and Lady Gaga, at least. So, why not have an appropriate accompaniment, right?  

M refuses fresh corn kernels, but make no mistake, we'll be trying again come corn season 2017. To get that extra corn-y flavor of the bread from Dovetail, I subbed corn flour for the AP flour that most recipes call for, which has the added bonus of turning this bread gluten-free. The flour isn't a perfect swap for fresh or roasted corn, but it gets the flavor closer while still being something M will eat.

Broccoli and cheddar corn bread | Me & The Moose. Sneak in some more vegetables in your corn bread. #meandthemoose #cornbread #cornbreadrecipes #broccoliandcheddar #quickbread #hiddenveggies #sidedishes #toddlerrecipes

Cheese makes everything better and broccoli makes me feel like a good mother, so I've thrown some of that in too. 

Broccoli and cheddar corn bread | Me & The Moose. Sneak in some more vegetables in your corn bread. #meandthemoose #cornbread #cornbreadrecipes #broccoliandcheddar #quickbread #hiddenveggies #sidedishes #toddlerrecipes

Broccoli and cheddar corn bread

Adapted from Martha Stewart

1 cup corn flour
1 cup corn meal
2 Tbsp coconut sugar (or granuated)
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1.5 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly whisked
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1.5 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
6 large scallions, chopped
2 tbsp butter
Flaky salt, such as Maldon, for the top

Preheat oven to 425. Combine the corn flour, corn meal, coconut sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and lightly whisk. Add the buttermilk, eggs, cheese, broccoli, and scallions, and stir to combine.

Place the butter in the cast iron or oven-proof skillet and put the skillet into the hot oven just until the butter melts. Take it out and carefully swirl to coat the bottom and sides.

Pour the mixture into the hot skillet (be careful!) and bake until golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Let the corn bread cool before cutting.

Yield: 8-10 large slices of bread.

Broccoli and cheddar corn bread | Me & The Moose. Sneak in some more vegetables in your corn bread. #meandthemoose #cornbread #cornbreadrecipes #broccoliandcheddar #quickbread #hiddenveggies #sidedishes #toddlerrecipes