Corn Muffins, No. 1 Recipe

Corn Muffins, No. 1

History:
Corn muffins are a traditional American dish that originated in the southern states. Cornmeal, made from ground dried corn kernels, was a staple in the diets of Native Americans long before the arrival of European settlers. The recipe for corn muffins has been passed down through generations, with slight variations from region to region.

Fun Facts:
- Corn muffins are often served as a side dish with barbecue, chili, or Southern-style meals.
- The use of cornmeal in muffins creates a unique texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
- In some parts of the United States, corn muffins are called cornbread muffins or corn pone.

Recipe:

Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour (1 cup white and 3/4 cup cornmeal)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 eggs, separated
- Boiling water
- Sugar (optional)
- Tepid milk

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to a quick oven temperature.
2. Butter your muffin pans or small gem-pans, and heat the pan slightly.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until well blended.
4. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Sift the flour and cornmeal together three times to ensure a light and airy texture.
6. Add the baking powder and salt to the sifted flour mixture.
7. Gradually mix the prepared flour mixture into the beaten egg yolks.
8. If desired, add a little sugar to the batter for sweetness.
9. Slowly add enough boiling water to the batter to create a smooth consistency.
10. Gradually incorporate the stiffly beaten egg whites into the batter.
11. Add enough tepid milk to the batter to achieve a pourable batter consistency.
12. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
13. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
14. Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield:
This recipe makes a dozen corn muffins.

Similar Recipe Dishes:
- Cornbread: Cornbread is similar to corn muffins but is baked in a single pan instead of individual muffin cups. It has a denser texture and is often served with butter and honey.
- Hush Puppies: Hush puppies are deep-fried balls made from cornmeal batter. They are a popular side dish in Southern cuisine.
- Johnny Cakes: Johnny cakes are a type of cornmeal pancake that is cooked on a griddle. They are commonly served with maple syrup or honey.
- Corn Fritters: Corn fritters are small pancakes made with corn kernels and cornmeal batter. They are fried until crispy and served as a snack or appetizer.
- Cornmeal Pancakes: Cornmeal pancakes are made by adding cornmeal to a traditional pancake batter. They have a slightly gritty texture and a rich corn flavor.

Enjoy your delicious homemade corn muffins!