Here’s one more way to use your cornmeal, another great breakfast/brunch option. And great because you can make it ahead. It came from Cook’s Country magazine five years ago. Serve it with hot sauce. Yum.
Ingredients:
CORNBREAD 1 cup (5 ounces) cornmeal 1 cup (5 ounces) all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 1/3 cups whole milk 2 large eggs, lightly beaten CUSTARD 10 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 1/2 cups) 6 scallions, sliced thin 4 1/2 cups whole milk 6 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 teaspoons salt
Preparation:
FOR THE CORNBREAD: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with vegetable oil spray.
Whisk cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, pepper, salt, and cayenne together in bowl. Whisk milk and eggs together in separate bowl. Whisk milk-egg mixture into cornmeal mixture until just combined. Pour batter into prepared sheet and spread to cover entire sheet. Bake until lightly browned and edges of cornbread pull away from sides of sheet, 17 to 19 minutes. Let cornbread cool in sheet on wire rack for 10 minutes.
FOR THE CUSTARD: Spray 13 by 9-inch baking dish with oil spray. Tear cornbread into 1-inch pieces and place in prepared dish. Add 1½ cups cheddar and scallions to cornbread and toss to combine. Whisk milk, eggs, and salt in bowl; pour custard over cornbread mixture. Top casserole with remaining 1 cup cheddar. Cover with plastic wrap, weigh down, and refrigerate for 6 to 24 hours.
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Remove weights from casserole and discard plastic. Bake until lightly browned and center registers 170 degrees, 50 to 60 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes. Serve.