Chilli Cornbread

Makes 1 loaf   

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 150g self-raising flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt                                 
  • 1 tbsp caster sugar
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 150g polenta (cornmeal) 
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 300ml buttermilk   
  • 1 red chilli, seeded and finely chopped

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/Gas 4
  2. Line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin with parchment paper.
  3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and set aside.
  4. Sieve the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. 
  5. Add the sugar, pepper and polenta and mix well.
  6. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and quickly stir in the eggs, buttermilk and melted butter until you have achieved a smooth, thick batter.
  7. Fold in the chilli until just combined.
  8. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean.
  9. Remove the loaf from the tin and place on a wire rack to cool.