Corn Muffins

Y'all these corn muffins are absolutely DELICIOUS. I was beyond impressed how good the recipe was  that I found on Pinterest by the way. These are a perfect accompaniment with BBQ, Southern/Soul Food, and Low Country Food. These will be a hit for sure at any American Football Tailgate or party.

Ingredients:
2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 (9 oz) package yellow cake mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon miracle whip light
14 ounce can whole kernel corn (well drained)


Materials:
1 medium mixing bowl
1 large mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Measuring cup/spoons
Muffin/cupcake tray
Cupcake liners
Whisk

Whisk together cornmeal, cake mix, baking powder, salt, and cayenne in a bowl, set aside.  Combine milk, buttermilk, oil, eggs, brown sugar, and honey in another bowl and mix well.  Add to the cornmeal mixture and gently stir-- there should be no lumps, but do not over mix.  Fold in the miracle whip and canned corn.

Let rest, covered, in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 °F.  Line cupcake pan with liners. Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling about 2/3 full.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean and the top is golden brown.

Southwestern Turkey Sliders

Last night, I felt like making something that I've never made before: Turkey Burger Sliders (aka Mini Burgers). I made my own recipe after looking at a bunch from online. I gave my turkey sliders a Southwestern flare. It's relatively easy to make, and so delicious. Homemade sweet potato fries are the perfect accompaniment.

Ingredients:
16 oz of ground turkey (I used 93% fat free, lean ground turkey)
1/3 to 1/4 of a cup of Del Monte's Low Sodium Whole Kernel Gold Corn
1/3 of red bell pepper diced into tiny pieces
1/4 of a red onion diced into tiny pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3 pinches of panko
Salt and pepper (use as much as you want to season the turkey with)
Pepper Jack Cheese
Butter for Pan
Slider roll buns



Materials:
Deep Frying Pan
Spatula 
Mixing Bowls (need 2)
Measuring cup
Cutting Board
Knives

In a medium mixing bowl, combine corn, red pepper, and onion. Stir and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, egg, and hot sauce. Mix all together with your hands.
Pour ingredients from medium mixing bowl into the large mixing bowl.  Add salt and pepper. Mix all together thoroughly with hands.
Add panko, which will help bind the vegetables to the meat. Mix into the turkey/vegetables with your hands.
Shape into small patties. Recipe yields about 12 mini turkey burgers.
Sauté the sliders in butter on medium heat. Cook each side. About 6 minutes total (for top and bottom). 
Make sure Turkey is cooked all the way through by using either a thermometer or by cutting into the center. 
Add Cheese when patty is cooked all of the way.
Serve on a toasted slider roll bun.

Sweet Potato Fries
serving size: 2 -1/2

Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes peeled
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (to coat sweet potato slices/wedges)
2 pinches of salt
Heavily pepper

Materials:
1 cookie sheet
Parchment paper
Sharp knife 

Preheat the oven to 415 °F 
(if you don't have this option, use 400°F and bake for 30-40 mins)
Take cookie sheet and line with parchment paper
Cut sweet potatoes into slices or wedges.
Place sweet potatoes on top of parchment. 
Pour enough Extra Virgin Olive Oil on parchment to coat the sweet potato fries front and back.
Heavily pepper all sweet potato slices/wedges.
Sprinkle salt over the sweet potatoes.
Bake for 20 mins.