This was a wonderful recipe from Dorie Greenspan’s book! I made this to accompany a chicken & sausage gumbo and it really complimented it well. Due to the nasty winter weather we’re experiencing here in Chicago, I had to make do with the ingredients I had on hand and made a few (okay, a lot of) substitutions…
- Rather than using a stick of butter, I used 1/4 cup each of canola oil and extra virgin olive oil. It resulted in a very moist and tender crumb.
- In place of cilantro, I used two stalks of green onions, sliced thin (green part only.) The onion seemed to work well with the peppers and gave more to the overall southwestern flavor.
- Speaking of peppers, I added additional color and used a trio of finely diced yellow, green and red bell peppers. (Honestly, I just can’t do only red peppers. Red peppers just isn’t my thing. So small doses of it are tolerable, even moreso when combined with yellow and green peppers.)
- Just when I thought I couldn’t substitute anything else, I realized that I ran out of chili powder. I did have some Pilsen Latino Seasoning on hand and used that instead. The seasoning is on the spicy side so I used 1 teaspoon of this. I really loved that kick and heat it gives these muffins! This seasoning is ‘hand mixed from: coarse Kosher flake salt, garlic & onion powders, Mexican oregano, Tellicherry black pepper, hot red pepper flakes.‘
- Finally, the cheese lover in me thought it best to top these muffins with a Mexican blend of cheese. It added a nice golden color and slight crispness to the muffin top. Yum!
Be sure to check out the other fabulous foodies who made this week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe, Savory Corn & Pepper Muffins. Interested in the recipe? Check out Rebecca from Ezra Poundcake who has the recipe on her blog or page 6 of Dorie Greenspan’s book, Baking from My Home to Yours.
Wow, you did make a lot of substitutions! It sounds great though.
I’m sort of the opposite of you, pepper-wise. I really don’t like green peppers, but I like red peppers quite a bit.
Great job on the muffins. Your subs sounds really tasty!
I’m going to have to try these, they look really good. Great job on all the substitutions. Sometimes that creates the best dish!
Great job on your muffins, love the addition of green onions & cheese. Welcome to TWD!
I bet that Latino Seasoning was great in these! They really look great, Joelen! I especially love the melted cheese on top…genius!!
-Amy
http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com
Yours turned out so lovely.
looks yummy! You made a bit of substitutions, which I am sure makes it so much better.
I love that you put cheese on top – I would have done the same. Looks so tasty!!
I just made corn bread muffins last night! I will have to try these next time.
Great pics, Joelen – they look delicious!! 🙂 And welcome, again, to TWD!!
Welcome to TWD!
Those substitutions look wonderful! Great job!
I can only imagine how amazing these were with gumbo!
OMG, great minds think alike. I topped mine with Fiesta blended cheese. Ha,ha. Nice job. I am going to have to try the Latino seasoning. sounds interesting.
Welcome..great looking muffins.
Welcome to TWD! I love the cheese on top. When is that bad? 😛
Welcome to TWD! Your muffins look delicious! I’ll have to add some cheese to mine next time I make these!
These look great, the cheese was a great idea!
They look great, and I love your subs! I must add cheese to mine next time for sure. Welcome to TWD!
I think you actually made a whole new muffin! But an AWESOME muffin! I love those substitutions and definitely want to try what you did the next time I make these! Welcome to TWD! Great first shot!
These seem like an amazing winter treat. I may have to make them tonight!
Cool substitutions! Your muffin looks great! Welcome to TWD!
These substitutions sound fantastic. And chicken and sausage gumbo? I’ll be right over.