Corn flour recipes: delicious from South America

It is impossible to imagine the kitchen without corn flour and its recipes, especially in Mexico. With us, it is mainly known as a sauce binder, but the bright yellow and gluten-free flour can do much more. The color comes from the corn and remains even after processing. The taste, on the other hand, can vary. Some varieties taste wonderfully sweet, while others hold a nutty note.

mate-tee.de is your specialist for the national beverage of the South American continent and offers you a wide range of specialties from South America, which you should definitely try.

South American dish from maize flour

How cornmeal is made

Traditionally, the ripe corn is harvested in Mexico, then fermented, dried and ground. In many other countries, the cobs are roasted after harvest, then dried and ground into cornmeal. The original method is far healthier, breaking down phytic acid, which is intolerable to humans. Cornmeal is completely gluten-free and contains many important nutrients:

  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Phosphorus
  • Iron
  • Sodium
  • Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6
  • Provitamin A

In addition, corn flour is an important source of protein for the body. It is also easy to process and you can conjure up the most delicious delicacies from it, thanks to many cornmeal recipes.

Cornmeal recipes: enjoy sweet or savoryBlank vintage recipe cooking book and utensils

Tortillas and nachos are not the only dishes that are prepared with cornmeal. The variety of options is huge. In addition, the flour is used to bind sauces or dumplings. Anyone who is sensitive to conventional wheat flour is well advised to use corn flour. However, you can't bake a loaf of bread with it, but you can use it to replace at least some of the flour. We tell you which treats you can still conjure up.

Cornbread

For a fragrant and airy bread, this cornmeal recipe is ideal. Not only is the bread to die for fresh, it also freezes beautifully.

Ingredients:

  • 250 grams of corn flour
  • 350 grams of wheat flour
  • 275 milliliters of lukewarm water
  • 150 grams of yogurt
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cube yeast
  • 2 tsp each sugar & salt

Preparation:

  • Place wheat flour in a bowl, crushed sugar and yeast in the center.
  • Pour warm water over it and let it rise for ten minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the risen dough and mix with the dough hook.
  • Then let rest for 60 minutes.
  • Then mix the dough again briefly.
  • Grease loaf pan with a little butter and pour in the dough.
  • Bread dough brush with water.
  • Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 25 minutes.

The bread is not the only cornmeal recipe, which goes quickly and succeeds. Nachos are particularly popular as a snack and side dish, and tortillas can be used to conjure up entire main dishes. But there are also suitable cornmeal recipes for sweet snacks.

Tortillas

For burritos or tacos, flatbread is an excellent base. You can make this cornmeal recipe yourself with just a few ingredients and steps.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

  • 500 grams of corn flour
  • 700 milliliters of lukewarm water
  • 2 tsp lard, butter or oil
  • 1 tsp salt

Preparation:

  • Mix the cornmeal with the salt.
  • Dissolve the lard in the lukewarm water, then add it to the cornmeal and knead.
  • If the mass is too dry, add a little more water until it is easy to work with.
  • Form the dough into small balls and roll out between plastic wrap with a rolling pin.
  • Put a little oil in a pan and fry the dough balls on both sides.

Fruit Cake

Sweet can not be missing at any meal. A juicy cake with fresh fruit is a wonderful refreshment on hot days. Here is the corresponding cornmeal recipe for it.

Ingredients for 4 servings:

  • 200 grams of cornmeal
  • 5 tablespoons wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 150 milliliters buttermilk
  • 50 milliliters yogurt
  • 250 grams of fresh fruit
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • - 2 tablespoons sugar

Preparation:

  • Wash the fruit and pit if necessary.
  • Sift cornmeal and wheat flour into a bowl.
  • Mix in salt, sugar, egg, buttermilk and yogurt until a smooth dough.
  • Pour this into a buttered mold and smooth.
  • Distribute fruit on top.
  • Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Various cornmeal recipes in South American cuisine

Cornmeal is not only found in the culinary delights, also in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay or Uruguay, many recipes are prepared with cornmeal. The yellow color gives the dish a special glow. South American cuisine is particularly diverse. In addition to cornmeal recipes, you will find meat, fish, vegetables or desserts in a multi-faceted selection.

Woman eating maize flour alfajor and drinking yerba mate infusion

Alternatively, sportsman's tea can also be enriched with additional flavors such as citrus, mint, ginger or honey to enhance the taste. Unlike juices or spritzers, mate tea for athletes does not contain sugar and thus does not burden the body with unnecessary calorie intake. For training, you can adjust the Mate tea to your individual needs and have your perfect sports drink at hand at any time.

Fittingly, you will find a large assortment of mate tea and the right mate accessories such as calabash, combillas or thermos in our online store. If you'd like to try the tart tea of holly for the first time, we also reveal valuable tips and advice on how to properly prepare mate. Also learn why drinking mate tea is a social event and promotes social interaction.

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