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!
Yum!
New follower here!
http://www.mosscoveredpath.blogspot.com/
Looks delicious!! I'll give them a try! 🙂
~cheryl
darn I've left a bit of drool on my keyboard… giggle….I always enjoy my visits to your lovely blog.I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner. The new giveaway is up! xo
WOW! They look so good!
On another note, will you vote for my blog? It only takes a second. Thanks, Traci
http://www.circleofmoms.com/blogger/ordinary-inspirations
Stopping by from Smile with me Saturday…this post made my mouth water! (Must go eat now) Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great Blog!! I'm now following you from Debbie Does Coupons. Would like a follow me back pleae
http://fabulousdealsandsteals.com/
This looks really good. Stopping by on the Sit & Relax Hop.
Following via GFC.
This looks like it would be yummy for breakfast.
New follower from the Crazed Fan Weekend hop, nice to meet you!
Nikkie@ Raising Marshmallows
OMG this is seriously so amazing. Shared on my facebook. I seriously have to make this.
Just browsing some of the blog hop blogs and I wanted to say hi! I will follow you as well. We also have a Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/aiasdotca that you should check out! We always like and follow back, just leave us a note <3
Monika @ Aias Dot Ca
Blog: http://www.aias.ca
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Sounds and looks company worthy. Thanks for offering the recipe to all of us. I might be able to try this out on my BIL AND SIL when their in town in a few weeks. So hope that you win the contest: D
Can't wait to give them a try.
x
Looks yummy! I'll have to try.
I'm here from Follow Friday 40 and Over.
I'm your newest follower.
~ Mona : )
Lol, my 2 y/o just rolled up on his indoor scooter and said, mmmm when he caught sight of your photo's. I told him Mommy was just thinking the same thing. Yummy!
I'm your newest follower from the Buzz By Sunday blog hop! 😛 Would love it if you'd swing by my blog when you get a chance!
Hi Ramona! It's been a long time since we've spoken, hope things are well for you. Just wanted to pop over and say Hi, glad I did 'cause these muffins look amazing. Great job on your post too!
Have a great week :o)
Jen
These look so yummy! I'm following via the Give it to me Monday Blog Hop. I'd love it if you could stop by my blog
Hi, I'm your newest follower from this weekend's blog hop…please follow back:
Thanks! 🙂
Ramona, these muffins are so inspiring! I want to thank you for linking up to Friday Potluck. I rarely have ham in the house, but I'm a sucker for all things brie. I will remember these as a treat! Yum!
That looks AMAZING- I wonder if I can adapt it so it's Kosher. :-/
Still, I think I drooled on the keyboard.
Following you from making friends Monday! I hope you'll follow back (and enter my $25 giveaway) – thenewglasers.com
Have a wonderful week!
-Hillary
This looks so yummy! Following from the hop = )Parent Palace
Seriously? Brie and corn muffins – I'll be bookmarking this for another day!
I'm already following your blog, but wanted to say thanks for linking up with the Magnificent Monday blog hop! I hope you enjoyed all of the great blogs that are participating!
Your guest host,
Emily from Nap Time Is My Time
Definitely a must try! I'm saving this on my bookmark 😀
following from the monday blog hop. I do hope you can follow back 🙂
href="http://spanishpinaynanay.blogspot.com">http://spanishpinaynanay.blogspot.com
Wow! Looks fantastic. Glad I stumbled over to your awesome sight! Following from the Blog Entourage hop!
Yum! These look fantastic!
These look fantastic…. yummmmm…
glad to have found you via creative every day today!
See my weekly entry here!
Thank you for stopping by and linking up with my marvelous menu meme. Love your idea for Ham & Brie Corn Muffins.
Until Next Time, Happy Cooking
Nina
Hi – I am asking for fellow bloggers to visit my site in hopes that we can find a match for a young girl that desperately needs a bone marrow transplant. Would be great if you could visit today too. Thank you. Kelly
http://ivebecomemymother.blogspot.com/2011/05/help-save-child-urgent-request.html
I've Become My Mother
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Mmmm. . . those sound yummy! Thanks for stopping by the S&R weekend hop! Again! Hope to see you next week. And if you have any Quick and Simple recipes, I have a new weekly hop that runs from Monday to Monday for quick & simple recipes. Have a great week!
These look divine! Stopping by from FMBT! Hope you'll come check out our new blog:)
Michelle and Tori
These look and sound just scrumptious!
Wow, what a great recipe! Thank you for sharing it on Masterpiece Monday. Have a great week, Mary :O)
WOW!…Those look amazing!
Found and following you via the Tiggerific Tuesday hop!
these sound delicious would love to see what we shared come see me at
http://teched4kids.com visiting you for the hop
What a wonderful breakfast muffin. I love the brie!!!
That looks like a delicious breakfast. Thanks for the recipe.
–Rachel visiting from HHH
They look delightful. By the way, did you win?
HI Moquelish
Thanks for asking – I am waiting for the winner to be announced (keeping my fingers crossed!)
🙂
Mmmmmmmm, I'm so glad I saw this linked at Hope Studios… can't wait to try it. Thanks!
These look sooo amazing! I love the bacon and cheese topping.. can't wait to go shopping for the ingredients to make them.. I may have wipe down the keyboard after all of my drooling over these! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
These look fabulous! Please share your recipe with our by linking it up at Muffin Monday. Thanks!
YUMMMMMM!! I love BRIE CHEESE!!!
Thanks for sharing. Found you from Sumos.
Would love if you would link up with us at on our 1st link up party too. Love your ideas.
Thanks so much for linking up at Muffin Monday! Have a great day!
This looks delicious! Thanks for linking up to Share the Wealth Link Party at Laugh, Love, and Craft! I'm your newest follower.
These corn muffins look so delicious! These would be such a great brunch treat! I'm definitely going to keep these in mind for a treat soon, thanks for sharing. I'd love for you to stop by my blog sometime, http://www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com
This is a great way to get kids to eat! They like the little sizes and I like what you put inside. 🙂
Caught ya on Wed Window
Microsoft OneNote Tripbook
Oh my goodness. I am drooling over those delicious looking muffins! I LOVE muffins and these savory muffins look amazing. I am printing these off to make ASAP 🙂 I hope you will come and show off these tasty looking muffins at These Chicks Cooked Recipe Spotlight. Have a blessed day 🙂
Katie
These look great1 I am thinking I might even add in some green chili's.
Thanks for linking up again! 😉
Hi Ramona,
What a great combination to make this awesome muffin. It looks delicious and we would love it. Thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and come back soon!
I love the flavor combination here! Ham, brie and corn sound perfect to me! Can't wait to try your recipe and thanks for sharing.
BTW, I'm hosting a Giveaway on my blog and here's the link: http://utry.it/2011/05/hong-kong-macau-and-australia-trippart.html
Please stop by to enter for a chance to win. Have a wonderful day.
Amy
http://utry.it
Thanks for stopping in to show off your muffins at These Chicks Cook. I am definitely going to try out this recipe soon! Hope you can come back by and share another recipe Wednesday. Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Katie