Description
Cornmeal popovers with herb honey butter blend Southern comfort and gourmet elegance in one delightful dish. Crisp exterior and pillowy interior promise a memorable culinary experience for hungry companions eager to savor this irresistible creation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup fine cornmeal
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Leavening and Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder (optional)
Herb Honey Butter:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon fresh thyme (or rosemary, parsley, or chives)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Craft the popover foundation by whisking cornmeal, flour, and salt together in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring a uniform dry mixture.
- Create a liquid harmony by blending milk, eggs, melted butter, and honey in a separate container, whisking until the ingredients form a smooth, integrated emulsion.
- Gradually incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring gently to eliminate any potential lumps and create a silky, consistent batter.
- Allow the batter to rest and develop flavor complexity for 10 minutes while preparing the baking receptacle.
- Position a popover pan or muffin tin inside the oven, heating it to 425F (220C) for precisely 5 minutes to ensure optimal cooking conditions.
- Delicately coat each cup with a thin layer of butter or cooking spray to prevent potential sticking.
- Distribute the batter evenly, filling each cup halfway with the prepared mixture.
- Initiate baking at 425F (220C) for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 375F (190C) and continue cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the popovers transform into golden, dramatically puffed delicacies.
- While the popovers are baking, whip the softened butter with honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper until the mixture achieves a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Refrigerate the herb honey butter briefly to allow flavors to meld and texture to firm.
- Extract the popovers from the oven, allowing them to rest momentarily before serving warm with a generous dollop of the prepared herb honey butter.
- Consider accompanying the popovers with complementary side dishes like roasted meats, hearty soups, or a vibrant fruit preserve for an enhanced culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality cornmeal for the most robust flavor and texture in your popovers.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help the batter rise evenly and create those signature puffy tops.
- Resist the temptation to open the oven during baking, as this can cause the popovers to deflate and lose their impressive height.
- For gluten-free variations, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 195 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg