Two days ago, I received an invitation to enter Ott A’s Iron Chef Challenge. The May challenge requires chefs to whip up a recipe using Ham as the themed ingredient! Dakin Farm is the sponsor and Sam Cutting, their President, will choose the winner!
My husband and I were so inspired by this challenge, we decided to create a new and original recipe just for the occasion!
We wanted to create a dish that combined sweetness with the smoky savory flavor of ham.
At first, we considered making a dinner delight, such as a ham steak dressed with a sweet plum sauce and a pecan praline, for our entry. Then, we remembered that the challenge also mentioned using baking powder, so we began thinking about ways to incorporate ham into quick breads and muffins. That’s when we came up with the idea of creating a special muffin filled with ham and other surprises that would taste so good, it could be served at the finest bed and breakfast!
We purchased a large muffin pan and began to compile ingredients that would provide the right combination of textures and flavors we envisioned.
- The themed ingredient, ham, provides a wonderful rich, smoky flavor.
- The cornmeal adds a hint of sweetness throughout.
- The corn, red bell peppers, and green onions create a visual delight with their beautiful colors, and add heartiness and flavor to the muffin.
- A surprise filling – melted brie – delights your taste buds.
- And the topping – a pinch of bacon and melted cheddar – provides the perfect finishing touch!
So, we whipped up a full batch, and are now presenting our Ham & Brie Corn Muffins for entry into Ott A’s Dakin Farm Iron Chef Challenge. We hope you’ll give them a try – we truly love this recipe!
Ott A’s Iron Chef Challenge Featured Ingredient – Ham |
Ingredients
1 Cup Chopped Ham
3 Large Eggs
¾ Cup Unsalted Butter at Room Temperature
1 ¼ Cups Sugar
1 ½ Cups Fine or Medium Grind Yellow Cornmeal
1 1/3 Cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
½ Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Cups Buttermilk
1/3 Cup Light Corn Syrup
2 Cups Fresh or Thawed Frozen Corn Kernels
½ Cup Diced Red Bell Peppers
½ Cup Chopped Green Onions – Greens Only
½ Cups + 1 Tablespoon Brie
3 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon of Finely Chopped Bacon
½ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3. Use an electric mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed to mix together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the buttermilk and corn syrup mixing until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well combine after each addition.
4. In another bowl, stir together the cornmeal, whole wheat pastry flour, all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Reduce the electric mixer to low speed. Add the flour mixture (#4) to the butter mixture (#3) in two additions. Beat until smooth and well combined.
6. Fold in the ham until thoroughly combined. Fold in the corn kernels, red peppers and green onions until evenly distributed. Do not over-mix or you will crush the vegetables.
7a. Spoon the batter into a large muffin pan only about half way up.
7b. Place 1 tablespoon of brie in the center of the muffin batter.
7c. Cover with the remainder of the batter.
8. Bake for 30 minutes.
9a. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the top of each muffin with 1 teaspoon of bacon.
9b. Also sprinkle with approximately 1 tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese.
10. Return the pan to the oven and bake for approximately 13 minutes. The muffins are done when the tops are a rich brown.
11. Remove them from the oven and cool for no more than five minutes. Serve while hot!
Note: This recipe makes 10 large delicious muffins!
Recipe Resources
For more great recipes, see Create With Joy Recipes!
These look so good – like a meal in themselves! I love the cornmeal and the combination of the ham and brie – it's inspired! Thank you so much for sharing these lovely muffins with the Hearth and Soul blog hop.
Great job on the original creation! Thanks for sharing this at Fat Camp Friday this weekend. Enjoy your weekend, see you next week!
That's something I would never think to throw together, but it looks good! Visiting from comment love Sunday.
Mmmm….so many delicious, complimentary ingredients. What an excellent creation! Wishing you the best of luck in the Iron Chef challenge! Sounds like a winner to me!
Best,
Jenn/Rook No. 17
Thank you joining my meme love your recipe have a great day.
Nina
Love your blog!! I am definitely going to be your new follower 🙂 I would love it if you followed me to @ for-the-luv-of.blogspot.com that would be great 🙂 I am just starting out, but I am excited to share new recipes, crafts, and makeup.. And Giving away giveaways on mineral make-up!
Looks quite yummy!
OMG this looks so good – I get hungry just looking at it. Love the pictures and easy to follow instructions.
I want a bite!!
😉
These look yummy!
Oooh delicious!
I love brie and these corn muffins look delicious.
Mmm… Now I'm hungry!
Yum – Yum! Looks delicious! And great directions – even I could follow it {:-Deb
Making me hungry! I'll have to try this recipe. ~Ames
I swear I left a comment here earlier. Strange.
Regardless of that, oh man, these look amazing.
What a delicious link this week.
I'm definitely going to give this recipe a try.
Thanks for sharing it.
A+
Yum! Yum! Looks soooo good!
These look so delicious!
These sounds really delicious!
Yum!
This looks absolutely delicious! What a great new addition to my brunch recipe repertoire!
Thank you.
This sounds like an amazing combination! I hope you win! I think you will!
I’m bookmarking this recipe to try when it cools off enough here to use the oven!
Thanks for sharing!
Yum.
Oh!
A+
Always looking for a great grab and go breakfast for the kid! This looks so yummy I can’t wait to try it. Pinned!
I love savory muffins! And God knows I love me some Brie!
Love the recipe. So easy, and yet it looks so tasty!
I am a total brie fanatic! I love the stuff – these sound amazing! I’d love it if you stopped by our blog party and shared this!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-200/
Have a wonderful week.
Looks yummy! Thanks so much for linking up with me at my #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 14, open until July 26. All party entries shared if social media buttons installed.