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When I post gluten free Thanksgiving recipes, we all get excited! And then sometimes you say sweetly and expectantly, ‘I can't wait to see what else you have in store for Thanksgiving!' And then … I get nervous. To say I don't want to let you down is a giNORmous understatement. I want you to make The Thanksgiving To Remember. We've moved beyond “good, for gluten free,” to just plain “Good.” And now, that's old news. Now, we're on to BETTER than that. And I'm not just talking about gluten free bread. I'm talking about everything on that holiday table. And since no holiday table is complete without casseroles—like the ever-present gluten free green bean casserole—we need more. Like light and fluffy gluten free spoonbread.
Like most dishes made with perfectly ordinary, simple ingredients, and not too many of them, spoonbread can go terribly wrong without the proper recipe. The ingredient proportions must be right, and the method must be spot-on. This spoonbread hits all the right notes. Plus the grated carrots add a bit of texture, plenty of nutrition and lots of color.
Not to spoil the recipe for or anything, but there are two secrets to the success of this particular spoonbread recipe. First, let the cornmeal and milk mixture cool before you add the egg yolks, Otherwise, you'll scramble the egg yolks, and ew. Just ew.
Second, beat the egg whites with a wee bit of cream of tartar. It helps stabilize the beaten egg whites so they hold their shape and do their thing even after being folded into the rest of the batter. Because everybody knows that no matter how many times a recipe says “gently” and “carefully” when it comes to folding beaten egg whites into something much heavier, like a cornmeal mixture, those egg whites are going to deflate at least a bit. Give 'em a fighting chance with some cream of tartar, and a light and fluffy spoonbread will grace your holiday table. And … go ahead and say it: can't wait to see what we make next! (me either!)
Gluten Free Carrot Cornmeal Spoonbread
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) milk
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup (100 g) coarsely ground yellow cornmeal
- 1 ½ cups shredded carrots peeled (from 3 to 4 carrots)
- 4 (200 g (weighed out of shell)) eggs separated
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish (a casserole dish with that capacity, or a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish), and set it aside.
- In a medium-size, heavy-bottom saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the milk and salt to the butter, and bring to a boil. Reduce the mixture to a simmer, and, whisking constantly, add the cornmeal in a slow, steady stream.
- Cook, continuing to whisk constantly, over medium heat until the mixture comes together (2 minutes). Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes, or until no longer very hot to the touch.
- While the cornmeal mixture is cooling, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff, but not dry, peaks form.
- Once the cornmeal mixture has cooled, add the egg yolks and whisk until well-combined. Add the carrots, and mix to combine.
- Carefully add about one-third of the beaten egg whites, and mix gently to combine.
- Add the remaining egg whites, and fold into the mixture gently, until no more than a few white streaks remain. Pour the mixture carefully into the prepared baking dish, and place in the center of the preheated oven.
- Bake until puffed and lightly golden brown on top (about 45 minutes). Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
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Hi, I’m Nicole. I create gluten free recipes that really work and taste as good as you remember. No more making separate meals when someone is GF, or buying packaged foods that aren’t good enough to justify the price. At Gluten Free on a Shoestring, “good, for gluten free” just isn’t good enough! Come visit my bio!
Amy says
Any suggestions for making this ahead. If I do it tonight, will it be good for Thursday & should I cook it or complete batter & refrigerate til cooking time? Feedback much appreciated as gluten-free cooking is very new to me :) I bought the kindle book & look forward to reading it soon.
Nicole Hunn says
Hi, Amy, it’s really tough to make spoonbread ahead of time, I’m afraid. That’s not a gluten free issue (it’s naturally gluten free). That’s just a soufflé issue. The beaten egg whites won’t hold their shape if you make the batter ahead of time, so that’s definitely out. If you want to make the finished dish ahead of time, it will fall but if you keep it tightly wrapped it should still taste good. Hope that helps!
Theodora says
Really different and unique adding carrots corn pudding!
twilightrose says
I never knew cream of tartar was used to hold stiff egg whites, I only ever use it to make my own baking soda when it runs out and i can’t get to the store. Something new to learn from you everyday, I’ll have to apply this knowledge to other recipes. Thank you!
Anneke says
Maybe I’m losing my mind (a real possibility!), but I don’t see when you add the carrots?
Nicole Hunn says
Anneke! It’s me who is losing her mind (of course). I just revised the recipe. It’s right after the egg yolks that the grated carrots go in. Thank you for pointing that out! *mwah*
Anneke says
Thank you, I will definitely be making this and it needed its carrots! :)
Donia Robinson says
Good job, Anneke. You passed Nicole’s test to see who actually reads and makes the recipes! You’re one step closer to a star on the GFOAS Walk of Fame! I aspire to that one day. ;)
Anneke says
Ooooohh!! A star!!
Mare Masterson says
Okay, I must have lived a sheltered life because I never heard of spoon bread before! Oh, I must try this dish! Organic Corn Meal added to the shopping list. Nicole, for apple pie, which crust recipe should I use? I have BB, so do I need to make your hack for cup for cup? I am attempting first ever GF apple pie this weekend and going in the freezer for T-Day!
Nicole Hunn says
Mare I answered your pie question on the other post, but I’ll also be posting a pie recipe today that you can use as a guide. :)
Jennifer Sasse says
Ok – since I am totally a “can’t wait to see what will be next” offender, I’ll just say…. Yum – this spoon bread looks awesome and may have to be a new tradition for us. I can’t say I’ve even ever had this type of dish before but I love stuff like this. It might just have to show up on a Tuesday night. I’m going to put this on my menu for next week!
KnitYeah says
Can I sub Ghee for the butter?
Jennifer Sasse says
shouldn’t be a problem. give it a whirl!
Lisa Aldridge Winlock says
Yes it does. Nice to know the why. Thank you.
Lisa Aldridge Winlock says
Would this work with Masa Harina? I have both, just wondering.
Nicole Hunn says
Hi, Lisa, It wouldn’t. Masa harina is a precooked cornmeal, and it behaves very differently from regular coarsely ground cornmeal. Hope that helps!