Pamela’s Sweet Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins

Pamela’s Sweet Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins

I have included several optional ways of making these muffins (less sweet, sans pumpkin, etc.) including an additional suggestion for experimenting should you prefer a cake-style cornbread!

This recipe is Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Wheat-Free, and optionally Refined Sugar-Free. Note that Pamela’s mixes are made on equipment that also processes tree nuts, soy, eggs, and milk. Contact them directly to learn about their processes if potential cross-contamination with a food allergen is a concern for you.

• 1 Bag Pamela’s Cornbread & Muffin Mix
• 1 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon
• 1/4 Teaspoon Xanthan Gum
• 1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar (see below for unrefined sweetener option)
• 1/3 Cup Oil (I used coconut oil)
• 1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Cup Vanilla Milk Alternative (I used Hemp Bliss)
• Optional: Add 1/4 to 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder for lower altitudes (below 3000 feet) or for a cakier result

Preheat your oven to 375ºF. I use silicone baking cups, which actually work better without greasing, but if needed, lightly grease the muffin tins.

Combine the mix, spice, and xanthan gum in a large bowl and stir to combine. If using additional baking powder, stir it in too. Add the sugar, oil, pumpkin, and milk alternative, and stir to combine. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tins and bake for 17 to 20 minutes. Allow them to cool for a few minutes in the tins on wire racks, then remove the muffins to a wire rack. Devour hot or let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Bigger Muffins? These do make somewhat petite muffins (I had no problem eating two in one sitting). For more generously sized muffins, pour into 8 to 10 muffin tins and increase the baking time accordingly (probably more like 22 to 25 minutes – or until a toothpick comes out clean, and a nice firm crust has formed on top of the muffins).

Less Sweet? Sub 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar for the sugar and use either unsweetened milk alternative or water for the liquid.

Plain Egg-Free Cornbread? Omit the pumpkin spice, swap the brown sugar for white sugar or the “less sweet” option above, use unsweetened applesauce in place of the pumpkin puree, and use unsweetened milk alternative or water for the liquid. You could use banana in place of the pumpkin, which would probably be tasty, but it would affect the flavor more than applesauce.

Feel Like Experimenting? For a lighter, cakier muffin, I might swap the milk alternative for water (and possibly increase the amount by a tablespoon or so if the batter looks to thick) and add just a touch of baking powder.

Makes 12 corny muffins

SOURCE: http://www.alisacooks.com/2010/10/28/pumpkin-cornbread-muffins/

Silvana Nardone’s Gluten-Free Apple-Pecan Cornbread Stuffing

Silvana Nardone’s
Gluten-Free Apple-Pecan Cornbread Stuffing

Instead of toasting the cornbread, you can spread out the pieces on a baking sheet and let them sit on your counter top overnight, uncovered, to dry out.

Double Corn Cornbread:
1 cup rice milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup cornmeal, preferably medium grind
1 cup store-bought gluten-free flour blend
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup corn kernels (from about 1 ear of corn)

Stuffing:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
Salt
Pepper
4 cups Double Corn Cornbread (see recipe above), toasted and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 teaspoons dried herb blend, such as McCormick Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1. Prepare the cornbread. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 4 1/2-inch by 8 1/2-inch loaf pan. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vinegar. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the milk mixture, eggs and oil until just blended; fold in the corn kernels. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

2. Bake until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.

3. Prepare the stuffing. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease an 8-inch square pan with olive oil. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened, about five minutes; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste.

4. In a large bowl, toss together the onion mixture, cornbread, apple and herb blend. Transfer to the prepared pan. Scatter the pecans on top and cover with foil; bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil; bake until crispy and golden, about 20 minutes more.

Yield: Serves 6 to 8.

Gluten Free Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Stuffed w/ Cornbread Dressing

Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Pick deep green same-sized acorn squash. Figure on half a medium squash per person.

Crank the oven to 400 degrees F.

Carefully slice the acorn squash in half, lengthwise. Clean out the seeds with a spoon. Place the squash in a broiler or roasting pan. If any of the squash is tippy, slice a thin piece off the bottom to make it sit still.

Pour some water into the pan- you'll need a good inch or two (this helps keep the squash from scorching/sticking to the pan). Drizzle the squash with fruity olive oil and some pure maple syrup until it collects in the hollow. Season with sea salt.

Place the pan into the preheated oven.

Roast the squash until it is fork tender. Easy, right? And delicious.

Serve as is- or...

Pour off the maple syrup into a measuring cup; stuff the squash with my cornbread dressing; pour the maple syrup on top and re-bake it till heated through (my Cornbread Stuffing with Curried Apple & Cranberries follows). Voila! A vegan holiday entree.

Cornbread Stuffing Recipe with Curried Apples and Cranberries

If you're not a fan of cornbread or need to be corn-free, don't fret. This recipe works with any gluten-free bread, cubed and lightly toasted. I've made this recipe vegan- without eggs or dairy- but if you prefer a more traditional recipe, see omnivore-friendly notes below.

Start by making a pan of your favorite gluten-free vegan cornbread. Here's one of my recipes for a delicious cornbread http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2007/12/skillet-cornbread-with-green-chiles.html

Plan on making an 8-inch square or 9-inch round cornbread two to three days ahead; cut it up into 5 or 6 squares and freeze.

Before making your stuffing, allow the cornbread to thaw a little bit. Cut the squares into cubes before it's totally defrosted. This makes for easier slicing and it will crumble much less.

To start the dressing:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Toast the cornbread cubes on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes or so. Keep an eye on them so they don't get too browned. When they're nicely toasted remove the baking sheet from the oven, set aside and allow the cubes to cool.

4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, to taste- or use melted vegan butter, if you prefer

1 cup diced celery

1 cup diced sweet or purple onion

2 large Granny Smith or other tart apples, peeled, cored and diced

1 teaspoon thyme, dried

1-2 teaspoons mild gluten-free curry powder, to taste

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup fresh chopped cranberries

1 cup light vegetable broth- more, as needed

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Heat about 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large deep skillet, stir in the thyme, curry and cinnamon; add the celery, onion and apples; cook until softened. Remove the skillet from the burner and set aside to cool a bit.

Add in the chopped cranberries.

Stir in the toasted cornbread. Mix well. Add a little more olive oil, and the broth, pouring in a little at a time and gently stirring to combine. Add the maple syrup. Stir. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.

Some folks like a very soft dressing- if you are one of these, feel free to add more broth.

Options:

• Use for stuffing roasted acorn squash (see above for roasting squash).

• Dear Reader, if you happen to be a turkey loving omnivore- grab your spoon and stuff away.

• Or bake the stuffing as a side dish in a casserole.

For the casserole- spoon the stuffing into a baking dish, cover and bake at 350 degrees F till heated through- about 20 to 25 minutes (note: it will take a bit longer to heat through if you made the stuffing ahead of time and chilled it).

Serve as a side dish for vegetarian fare.

How many will it feed? Depending upon the size of your squash- and appetites- 6 to 8. Recipe can be doubled.

Read more: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/11/maple-roasted-acorn-squash-and.html#ixzz14jE5iSdQ