What To Do With Dry Or Burnt Cornbread?
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Cornbread is a staple of Southern comfort food. However, making it is a whole other story. Though simple in principle, there are way too many ways to mess up cornbread. If you, like many of us, have attempted to make cornbread only to fail miserably, don’t worry. In today’s article, I will be discussing what to do with dry or burnt cornbread.
Cornbread is a very versatile carbohydrate. Ideally, cornbread is best consumed when it’s fluffy, soft, and hot from the oven. However, if your cornbread is dry, you can still eat it by using it as an ingredient in other recipes. Dry cornbread doesn’t taste good by itself. However, incorporate it into stuffing, pudding, or casseroles, and you won’t even notice the difference.
Despite having a simple recipe, the proper techniques for making cornbread are something our mothers and grandmothers spent decades perfecting. So, don’t lose hope if you don’t make the perfect cornbread on the first try. Keep practicing to perfect your technique. And in the meantime, try out these tricks to turn your cornbread disaster into a creative masterpiece.
Can You Eat Dry Corn Bread?
Technically speaking, there is no harm in eating burnt or dry cornbread. You won’t get sick or have indigestion from eating dry or burnt cornbread. However, it is unlikely that dry or burnt cornbread will taste very good. Thus, instead of eating dry or burnt cornbread, it is better to use different recipes to make it taste better.
Usually, dry cornbread is also crumbly. This texture makes it hard to consume the cornbread on its own. However, if your cornbread is holding its shape, you can add some butter to it to make it less dry. You can also try eating your cornbread with something that can add moisture, such as jam or chili.
Also, consider if your cornbread is fresh or reheated. Sometimes cornbread can burn or dry up when you try to reheat it. To avoid this, you can wrap your cornbread in a slightly wet paper towel before placing it in the microwave. You can also add some melted butter or syrup to your cornbread to cancel out the dryness.
How To Tell If Your Cornbread Is Expired?
Usually, dryness isn’t a sign of cornbread being expired. Like regular bread, when cornbread expires, it goes stale. You can tell your cornbread has expired by any sour smells or taste. Additionally, expired cornbread is moldy and damp rather than fluffy. So, if you notice any mold in your cornbread, be sure to throw it away immediately.
In addition to taste and texture, you can also tell if your cornbread has expired or not based on how much time has passed since you baked it. If you store your cornbread at room temperature, it will expire in 2-3 days. Additionally, if kept in the freezer, your cornbread will last a month without going bad.
5 Recipes To Try If Your Cornbread Is Dry Or Burnt
Dry or burnt cornbread is hardly the worst-case scenario when it comes to cornbread disasters. Your cornbread may not be the light and fluffy delicacy we grew up eating. However, there are many different ways you can use your cornbread to make dishes that are just as innovative as they are tasty. Here are some recipes to follow if you have dry or burnt cornbread.
1. Cornbread Casserole
Cornbread Casserole is a traditional recipe made with leftover cornbread. The process of making this dish is very simple. First, add a layer of cornbread to the bottom of your dish. Then top it with layers of vegetables, meat, or any other component of your preference. Add a layer of cheese or a creamy sauce of your choice in between each layer.
Additionally, you can also add some cornbread crumbs to the top of the casserole before placing it in the oven. Adding crumbs will give your casserole a beautiful outer crust. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 375°F.There are many variations of cornbread casseroles. So don’t be afraid of getting experimental and customizing this recipe according to your tastes.
2. Cornbread Stuffing
Stuffing is the perfect solution to recipes that don’t go as planned. You can make cornbread stuffing the same way you make regular stuffing. Boil your vegetables, turkey, and other ingredients in some chicken broth to add some flavor. After that, add everything to a pan to cook again. Don’t forget to add salt, pepper, and other spices of your choice.
When you have your ingredients in the pan, add two types of cornbread into the mix. First, put in some diced-up cornbread and mix for a while. Then add cornbread crumbs to the stuffing. You can get away with only adding one type of cornbread. However, using two different types of cornbread will give the stuffing some extra texture and crunch.
3. Cornbread Croutons
This recipe is by far the easiest solution for dry or burnt cornbread. You only need three ingredients for this recipe, and it only takes 20 to 30 minutes to make. To make cornbread croutons, first cut up your cornbread into small cubes. Try to make them all equal. However, don’t worry too much about accuracy. Just make sure they are roughly the same size.
Next, place the cubes in an oven tray and drizzle some olive oil on them. However, if you want more flavor, you can add a little bit of butter as well. Sprinkle a little salt on the cornbread cubes and then bake them at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes. Once they’re nice and crunchy, you can store the croutons in an airtight box to eat with soups or salads.
4. Cornbread Crab Cakes
This is a relatively new cornbread recipe. To make cornbread crab cakes, you first have to turn your cornbread into crumbs. If your cornbread is dry, turning it into crumbs is very easy. Next, add some peppers, onions, cilantro, mayonnaise, and sour cream to the crumbs. Give it a thorough mix until it is well combined.
After mixing the ingredients, add some spices to the mix. You can season your crab cakes however you please. For best results, add a little bit of salt, pepper, and paprika. Integrate the spices into the mix before adding two cans of crab meat to the bowl. Continue mixing until they turn to mash. After that, shape them into small circles and fry them in oil using a cast-iron skillet.
5. Cornbread Pudding
Cornbread is another Southern delicacy that uses leftover or dry cornbread. To make cornbread pudding, start by dicing up some green jalapenos. However, if you don’t have jalapenos, you can use green chilies or peppers as an alternative. Add eight ounces of sour cream and two eggs to a bowl. Add your cut jalapenos and some corn to the bowl before mixing it all together.
Many people use cornbread muffin mix in cornbread pudding. However, you can exchange this for cornbread crumbs from your dry cornbread. Make sure to sift through the crumbs so that they are as small as possible. Add some parmesan and melted butter to the mix before pouring it into your pudding dish. Next, bake your pudding at 350° for 90 minutes, and you’re done.
