Green Onion Spoonbread

It’s that time of the year, and we are always looking for some new recipes to add to our Thanksgiving feast. This year chef Emeril is teaching us new techniques for getting the meal on the table Fresh-Food-Fast-style. This menu features spatchcocked crispy honey-lemon-thyme roasted cornish game hens and pan roasted brussels sprouts with pancetta. And does the word “spoonbread” make your taste buds want to do a jig? Well, get their dancing shoes on because Emeril is making a fluffy cheddar and green onion spoonbread that is quick and easy. For the finale, a butternut squash cobbler a la mode made with the spices of the season! You are sure to be very thankful!

Prep time: 25 minutes Cook: 55 minutes Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 8-10 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup, plus 3 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal
  • 1 cup whole milk, more if needed
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 eggs, separated
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions, green and white parts
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter. Add 3 tablespoons cornmeal to the dish and tilt the dish to coat the bottom and sides with the cornmeal. Set the baking dish aside.
  2. Combine the milk, cream, buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan, and bring just to a boil. Whisk in the 1 cup cornmeal and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and has the consistency of grits, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl. Stir in the cheese, and set the bowl aside until the mixture is lukewarm, stirring often to prevent a skin from forming on the top, 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Then stir the yolks, green onions, thyme, baking soda, and baking powder into the cornmeal mixture.
  4. Combine the egg whites and the sugar in a mixing bowl, and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the cornmeal mixture to lighten it. Then gently fold in the remaining whites, taking care not to deflate the whites.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, and bake until the spoonbread is puffed and golden brown on top, and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.