Bright, flavoursome and vibrant cornbread. It’s not something you always find on a menu here in London but for me it’s a real treat.
I love classic buttery cornbread from the American South so here it is made with fiery scotch bonnet, fragrant coriander and juicy sweetcorn kernels. Topped with smoky black beans beans, creamy avocado and sweet baby plum tomatoes make this the most tropical twist on beans on toast!
This cornbread can be used as a side for chilli or any other salad, soup or casserole dish that may need something with carbs on the side. It is perfect on the table if you’re hosting a brunch and just want something a little different as an extra.
If you aren’t feeling the refried beans and avocado combo try some red peppers and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Scotch bonnet chilli peppers are a staple in Caribbean and West Africa cooking (can be bought in Asian, African or Caribbean food stores). This was literally the only chilli used by my mum growing up. It’s one of the hottest chillies in the world used to fire up the best Jerk Chicken and West African groundnut stew but the heat is lovely and warming complementing all the flavours in the cornbread really well.
This cornbread has quite a few ingredients but most should be easily found. I’ve used polenta and natural yogurt instead of cornmeal and buttermilk (either combination should work beautifully). Separate all the dry ingredients and wet ingredients and mix together. It shouldn’t take more than half an hour to bake. I used a loaf tin but a round cake tin works just as well. Cut up, eat and serve when freshly baked, it’s the best way!
Serves 4 with leftover cornbread
Prep 20 mins
Cook 40 mins
Total 60 mins
Ingredients
For the cornbread
120g polenta
120g plain flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp golden caster sugar
1 tsp salt
250g full fat natural yogurt
1 free range egg
90g unsalted butter, melted and extra for greasing
50g mild cheddar cheese, grated
150g corn kernels, cut from 2 medium corn cobs
2 tbsp coriander, finely chopped (keep the leaves to scatter on top later)
1/2 scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
For the refried beans
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
400g tin black beans, rinsed and drained and roughly mashed
1/4 tsp chipotle chilli flakes
125ml organic vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the avocado
1 avocado, peeled and cut into wedges
125g baby plum tomatoes, halved
1/2 the juice of a lime
2 tbsp coriander leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method
Make the refried beans first. Heat oil over a medium heat and add the onion, garlic and sauté for 2-3 mins. Add the beans, chilli flakes and stock, stirring and mashing over a low heat until you have a chunky consistency. Season with salt and pepper and leave to one side.
Line the base and sides of a 2lb loaf tin with greaseproof paper. Preheat the oven 200C /400F / Gas 6.
In a medium sized bowl put polenta, flour, baking powder, caster sugar and salt. Mix the yogurt, egg, melted butter and cheese in a separate bowl and stir into the dry ingredients until well combined. Add the corn kernels, coriander and chilli.
Place the cornbread mixture into the lined loaf tin. Bake in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes. Cover with a little foil if it browns too quickly and insert a skewer into the middle of the loaf and if it comes out clean it’s ready. Let the cornbread cool in the tin and then turn out.
Cut the cornbread into thick slices ( a couple should be enough for each person) and arrange on a plate.
Slice the avocado into wedges, halve the tomatoes and squeeze over fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve the black beans on top of the cornbread with avocado, baby plum tomatoes and coriander leaves to garnish.
