Making Mielie bread with whole mielies (corn on the cob) is a delightful way to create a fresh, flavorful loaf. Instead of using cornmeal or maize meal, you’ll be incorporating whole kernels into the bread batter. This adds moisture and a natural sweetness to the bread.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 fresh ears of corn (about 2 cups of kernels)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup maize meal (cornmeal)
- 1/4 cup sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup melted butter or oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the corn:
- Remove the kernels from the cob. You can do this by standing the cob upright and using a sharp knife to slice the kernels off.
- Blend the corn kernels in a food processor or blender to create a puree. You can leave some chunks for texture or blend it smooth, depending on your preference.
2. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
3. Mix the dry ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, maize meal (cornmeal), sugar (if using), baking powder, and salt. Stir them together until well mixed.
4. Prepare the wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the corn puree, eggs, milk, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract (if using).
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick, and the corn mixture will make it moist.
6. Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and serve:
Let the mielie bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Tips:
- Texture: The bread will have a slightly chunky texture from the whole corn, making it hearty and delicious.
- Sweetness: Adjust the sugar depending on how sweet you’d like your bread. Fresh corn often adds some natural sweetness, so you may want to reduce the sugar.
- Add-ins: You can add cheese or herbs for extra flavor, or even chopped chili for a spicy kick.
This mielie bread with real corn kernels is moist, flavorful, and perfect for pairing with soups, stews, or enjoying on its own with butter. Enjoy!
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