Baked Baby Beets Appetizer

Clean multi colored baby beets, scrubbing with a brush, removing blossom end (so it can stand up on a plate). Do not peel. 

On a lined with parchment baking tray, add a bit of olive oil to set the beets on, sett beets at least an inch apart, drizzle w a few drops of olive oil, sprinkle with a teaspoon of course salt, and course ground pepper.

Bake at 350 degrees until tender, 

Remove from oven, then, when beets are slightly cooled, remove the skin, (it should just slip off). Set out on decorative plate, lightly drizzle with olive oil, and a little balsamic glaze. Toss a few coarsely ground coriander, makes it taste divine!

 Taste profile: sweet beet, salty, sour, umami(balsamic glaze)! Enjoy!

Crazy Corn Bread aka Johnny Cakes

Oven 350 degrees 

Using an 8x8 inch square pan 

Grease and/or line with parchment 

 INGREDIENTS 

Dry Ingredients

 Whisk together: 

1 cup All Purpose Flour 

1/4 cup sugar 

4 teaspoons Baking Powder 

1/2 tsp salt 

 Whisk in 1 cup yellow cornmeal 

 Add ons: a few drops of hot sauce- I like Jalepeno or habanero-just adjust amounts to taste,

 

Use any or up to 3 choices:

1 or 2 chopped a BABY red, orange, or green pepper 

1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed,  extra finely chopped 

3/4 cup shredded cheddar,Pepper Jack, or mozzerella, shredded 

1/2 cup crispy bacon bits 

1/4 cup chopped green onion using all 

1 cooked slice of peameal bacon, (or any other family favorite)  even chunks of blue cheese or camembert cut into small chunks to poke into the batter before baking-(hidden surprize)

if using any add ons -ie, cheese, peppers, bacon bits, etc, stir these in with the dry flour mixture, to be distributed evenly 

Wet Ingredients

stir together: 

1/4 cup melted butter or margarine, cooled 

1 Egg, beaten 

1-10 ounce can of creamed corn 

 Method: 

to the dry mixture, add the Butter/corn/egg mixture, gently stir together until well mixed, if mixture is too dry add 

up to 1/3 cup milk or half and half 

Once mixed, fill pan, spreading the batter evenly, into the corners, bang the pan on the counter to remove air bubbles 

HIDDEN Surprizes-

Now is the time you'd add the bits of cooked peameal, or any other choice bits as desired, poke each bit all over, smooth with a spatula. 

 Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-35 minutes, check with a toothpick after 25 minutes leave it in a couple of minutes more, if necessary. 

Serve Warm, with Cilantro Butter (see recipe)