Emeril's Stuffed Cornbread

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. bacon, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 jalapeno chiles, seeded and chopped
• 1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Method

• Preheat oven to 375F. Place a 10" cast iron skillet in the oven to get hot.
• In a large skillet, fry the bacon until brrown, about 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Drain all the fat but 2 teaspoons.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat and add the corn. Cook, stirring, until golden and tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cream, butter, 1/4 teaspoon salt and water and cook until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and mash with a potato masher to crush some of the corn. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, remaining salt and cayenne. Stir.
• In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the cooled cream corn, bacon, jalapenos and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese; mix well.
• Remove the cast-iron skillet from the oven and add the remaining tablespoon of the melted butter, tilting the skillet to coat the bottom and sides. Pour half of the batter into the bottom of the skillet. Top with the corn-cheese mixture, then top with the remaining half of the batter.
• Bake until golden brown and set, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Serve hot.

Notes

• SERVINGS: 8