Earth Day 2023: Jalapeño Cornbread
In American food culture, we often see the influence of many different cuisines that people have brought with them as they settled into the country. This creates a diverse and beautiful tapestry of flavors, colors, aromas, and textures that we can experience and enjoy. On top of this melting pot of world cuisines, we also have foods and dishes that are uniquely American. Cornbread is one such dish which has evolved over thousands of years, becoming deeply woven into the history and legacy of the country.
The (Brief) History and Magic of Corn and Cornbread
To talk about the history of cornbread, it makes most sense to first discuss the importance of its namesake ingredient, corn.
Corn was believed to be domesticated in southern Mexico approximately 10,000 years. Cultivation of it spread into what would become the United States by Native Americans and it became a staple crop and food source for them, as well as the early European settlers whom they shared it with. Its popularity and versatility have endured and it is still considered the most important crop of the United States.
Nearly as long as corn itself has been around, some form of cornbread has also been eaten. In its most basic form, cornbread is created by mixing ground cornmeal and water together and cooking it over an open flame. However, numerous iterations of this quick bread can be found throughout history under different names and with various ingredients such as butter, sugar, honey, buttermilk, or baking powder added in, dependant on where in the country it is being served. Today, cornbread is often served as a side dish component for meals, such as our Mole Chicken Chili.
A large part of what makes corn such an important resource is its association with being life giving and life sustaining. In paganism, we see it as a symbol of fertility and abundance and it can be used in spellwork relating to those areas. Beyond that, corn and items made with it are associated with the deeply protective and nurturing elements of Earth and can be offered to Gaia herself in return for her blessings upon you and your loved ones.
Recipe: Jalapeño Cornbread
Jalapeño Cornbread
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (nurturing, prosperity)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (attraction/manifestation)
- 1/4 cup honey (manifestation, prosperity)
- 1/2 cup roasted corn kernels (fertility, abundance, protection)
- 1/2 cup jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced (igniting spellwork, encouragement)
- 3 eggs (fertility, divine feminine energy)
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (prosperity, abundance)
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal (fertility, abundance, protection)
- 1 3/4 cups milk (nourishment, vitality)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder (raising vibrations)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (cleansing, protection)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet with foil
- Remove the silk and husks from two ears of corn on the cob and coat lightly with olive or avocado oil.
- Roast for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the corn is slightly golden in color. Remove and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut off the roasted kernels from each cob.
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and prepare either two 8" round pans with cooking spray or 2 standard size muffins tins with muffin papers.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, place the softened butter, sugar, and honey and beat on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes, or until creamy and lighter in color.
- Add in the eggs one at a time and mix until fully incorporated.
- Slowly add in your dry mix, alternating with the milk, until fully combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure the mixture is homogeneous.
- Add in your roasted corn and jalapenos and mix to combine.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups or 8" pans and place into the oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and firm to the touch. Removed and allow to cool. Enjoy!
