1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 T. packed light brown sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup buttermilk*
1/2 cup milk
2 T. unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
Firm fully cooked sausage, sliced or diced**
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease muffin pan generously with shortening or non-stick spray. Yield: about 16 muffins.
Source: “USA Weekend” insert in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sunday newspaper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, butter, and egg. Stir in dry ingredients and cheese until just combined.
Spoon in about 1/8 cup of batter into each muffin cup. Add a few pieces of sausage to each muffin cup.
Bake for about 14 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
Let muffins cool for about 10 to 15 minutes in the pan before removing. Serve warm with dipping sauces.
Dipping sauces: ketchup, mustard, sour cream, honey, ginger syrup — whatevah.
* When I can find buttermilk at the market, I buy it. But when I can’t, I put 1 T. vinegar in a cup measure and then add regular milk to make one cup of “buttermilk.”
** The original recipe called for hot dogs. But the times I’ve made these muffins I’ve only used sausage, a firm beef or beef-pork combo. (So are they really corn dogs?) Any leftover sausage can be a breakfast side.
Caveat #1: The original recipes calls for mini-muffins and would likely yield 2 dozen. If you decide to go mini, then spoon in a generous tablespoon into each cup and adjust the baking time to 10 to 12 minutes or when muffins are done and golden brown.
Caveat #2: My husband loves these, madly. Pearl likes them, too. My grandson gobbled down two the first time he ate them. My son, who hasn’t tried them yet, said they sound like the cornbread with (greasy) sausage that was his favorite Sunday breakfast served at his college cafeteria. But my daughter and I can take them or leave them. We usually do leave them for those who really, really love corn muffins and sausage and cheese.
Tags: Muffins, Sausage