Cool Cornbread and Red Hot Music

Our cornbread won (again!) at the annual Chili Cook-Off in Highlands 

on March 10, and as promised, here's the recipe:

LEMON-BLUEBERRY-RICOTTA CORNBREAD with JALAPENOS

In small bowl, whisk & set aside:

1 cup flour

1 cup plain yellow cornmeal

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp soda

Mix in large bowl, then add the above dry ingredients & combine:

3 eggs

1/2 cups buttermilk

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup ricotta cheese

2 Tbsp grated lemon peel

2 tsp minced jalapenos

Combine, then fold in:

1 cup fresh blueberries

3/4 cup cut corn

2 Tbsp flour

Pour into a foil-lined 9X13 baking pan and bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees until lightly browned. Best served warm, but we couldn't do that at the Cook-Off, so we made a topping with mascarpone cheese whipped with confectioners sugar (to taste) and fresh lemon juice (to taste), then garnished each square with a fresh blueberry.  When we ran out of mascarpone, we used cream cheese which worked just fine!

Combine that with red-hot music by Tom Hill & The Midnight Suns and you have a really fun evening and a nice break in the Highlands mid-winter cabin-fever blues! The band attracted the best crowd ever and was sponsored in part by Colonial Pines Inn.

Debbie Grossman (on right) and her crew from Fresser's Eatery entered several types of chili and won "Most Unique" for her fabulous Crab Chili.  But my favorite was her Ginger-Pear Salsa which was, without a doubt, THE BEST.  Maybe she'll give me the recipe - what ya say, Debbie?

People of all ages danced to the great music.  Here's Steve Day, DJ of our local radio station, dancing with Della, 88 years old.  I also have a photo of Steve dancing on her table!  (Saving that one in case I ever need to blackmail him...)

The band gave maracas as prizes to the best dancers
and a "Happy Time Was Had By All!"

Thanks to husband Chris, and especially niece Lauren who came over from Virginia to help out. The blueberry cornbread with mascarpone/cream cheese sauce ideas were hers! Please email me if you have any questions on the recipe.  I apologize for not having the exact ingredients for the sauce, but it was a last minute addition and we were experimenting.  

Sometimes those situations have a pleasant ending!

Thanks for checking in & Happy Trails!

Colonial Pines Inn Bed & Breakfast

(828) 526-2060

(866) 526-2060 Toll Free

email:  sleeptight@colonialpinesinn.com