Jalapeño-Cornmeal Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups fine- or medium-grind yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 Tbs. sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 or 3 green jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced
- 1 zucchini, shredded
- 1/4 cup olive oil or sesame oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 3 Tbs. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Asiago cheese
- Unsalted butter for serving
Directions
Preheat an oven to 400°F. Grease 11 standard muffin cups with butter or butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray; fill the unused cup one-third full with water to prevent warping.
In a bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the jalapeño chilies and zucchini and toss to distribute evenly.
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the oil, eggs and buttermilk. Stir just until evenly moistened, using no more than 15 to 20 strokes. The batter will be slightly lumpy.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each level with the rim. Sprinkle each muffin with some of the cheese.
Bake until the muffins are golden, dry and springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately unmold the muffins onto a wire rack. Serve them hot, warm or at room temperature, with butter. Makes 11 muffins.
