Cheddar Corn Muffins with Jalapeno Butter

Today, I needed something easy to go with dinner. These were perfect. They come together quickly and are so, so good. Not at all dry, like cornbread can be, and the jalapeno butter is delicious.






Cheddar Corn Muffins with Jalapeno Butter
from Gourmet

For muffins:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus 1 tablespoon, softened, for brushing muffin cups
2 cups cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup corn, thawed if frozen
1 1/4 cups well-shaken buttermilk (not powdered)
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups grated sharp Cheddar (5 1/4 ounces), divided

For jalapeño butter:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 fresh jalapeño, finely chopped, including seeds

Equipment: a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

Make corn muffins:
Preheat oven to 425°F with rack in middle. Brush muffin cups with softened butter.
Whisk together cornmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.
Whisk together corn, buttermilk, egg, and melted butter in another bowl, then stir into flour mixture until just combined. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese.
Divide batter among muffin cups and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake until puffed and golden-brown and a wooden pick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Turn out onto a rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Make jalapeño butter while muffins bake:
Stir together butter, jalapeño, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve with muffins.

note: mine only took about 15 minutes, so watch them!