Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad Recipe
Discover the irresistible Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad Recipe – a Southern delight for your taste buds! Dive into flavor perfection!
Fourth of July, a time for celebrating with family and friends, calls for special dishes that burst with flavor and delight.
One such dish that's sure to steal the show is Brenda Gantt's Cornbread Salad. If you're looking to add a touch of Southern charm to your Independence Day feast, this recipe is your golden ticket.
The Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad is a delightful medley of textures and flavors, blending the richness of cornbread with the freshness of vegetables and the zing of ranch dressing.
What is Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad?
Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad is a true Southern classic, born from the heart of home cooking.
This dish is a delightful combination of textures and flavors, creating a symphony in your mouth.
Crumbled cornbread forms the base, providing a rich and slightly sweet foundation.
It's then layered with fresh vegetables like sweet corn, pinto beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions, adding a burst of color and crunch.
The creamy ranch dressing, with a hint of buttermilk tang, ties it all together, making each bite a heavenly experience.
Origin
The exact origin of Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad might be a bit of a mystery, but it certainly has deep roots in Southern cuisine.
Brenda Gantt, a beloved Southern cook, is known for her delicious recipes, and her take on cornbread salad has gained widespread popularity.
It's a perfect fit for Fourth of July gatherings, as it reflects the heartiness and hospitality of Southern cooking, which is so often associated with this holiday.
Taste
The Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad is a taste sensation.
The cornbread adds a slightly sweet, crumbly texture that complements the fresh and crisp vegetables.
The ranch dressing lends a creamy, tangy note, balancing out the sweetness of the cornbread.
The combination is both comforting and refreshing, making it a perfect side dish for a summer celebration like the Fourth of July.
Why Make This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The layers of ingredients create a flavor explosion that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
- Easy to Make: This salad is surprisingly easy to put together, making it a hassle-free addition to your Fourth of July menu.
- Colorful Presentation: The vibrant colors of the vegetables make for a stunning, patriotic presentation.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this salad the day before, allowing you to focus on other dishes on the big day.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It's a crowd-pleaser, suitable for guests of all ages.
Recipe Essentials
For Cornbread:
- White Lily Self-Rising Buttermilk White Cornmeal Mix: This is a specialized cornmeal mix that contains leavening agents, which will help your cornbread rise. It's a staple in Southern cooking.
- Eggs: Eggs add structure and moisture to the cornbread.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk lends a subtle tang and richness to the cornbread. It's a classic ingredient in Southern baking.
- Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the flavors and adds a touch of sweetness to the cornbread.
For Salad:
- Sweet corn, drained: Canned sweet corn, when drained, contributes a natural sweetness and crunch to the salad.
- Pinto beans, drained and rinsed: Canned pinto beans, when rinsed, bring a creamy texture and earthy flavor.
- Bell pepper, diced: Diced bell pepper adds a pop of color and a crisp, fresh crunch.
- Green onions, thinly sliced: Sliced green onions provide a mild, onion-like flavor and a bright green accent.
- Grated cheese: Choose your favorite type of cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, for creaminess and richness.
- Tomatoes, diced: Diced tomatoes contribute juiciness and a burst of freshness.
- Ranch dressing mix: A packet of ranch dressing mix is full of herbs and spices, lending the salad a zesty flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise brings a creamy, silky texture to the dressing.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk, as in the cornbread, adds tang to the ranch dressing.
- Cooked bacon, crumbled: Crumbled cooked bacon adds a smoky, savory crunch to the top of the salad, providing a delightful contrast to the other ingredients.
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Large glass bowl or trifle dish
- 1/2 cup White Lily Self-Rising Buttermilk White Cornmeal Mix
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 scoop sugar
- 1 can sweet corn, drained
- 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups grated cheese
- 3-4 tomatoes, diced
- 1 pack ranch dressing mix
- 1.5 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 12 ounces cooked bacon, crumbled
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the White Lily Self-Rising Buttermilk White Cornmeal Mix, eggs, buttermilk, and a touch of sugar. Mix until well combined. Pour this mixture into a greased baking dish and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the cornbread turns a beautiful golden brown. Allow it to cool completely.
- In another bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, and buttermilk until you have a smooth and creamy dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained sweet corn and pinto beans.
- In a separate bowl, combine the grated cheese, diced bell pepper, diced tomatoes, and sliced green onions. Now, crumble the cooled cornbread into small, delightful pieces.
- Start by layering half of the cornbread at the bottom of a large glass bowl or a trifle dish.
- Follow this with half of the beans and corn mixture, then add half of the diced tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and bell pepper. Pour half of the ranch dressing over these delectable layers.
- Continue with the remaining ingredients, concluding with a layer of crumbled bacon on top.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad
Cuisine: Southern, American
Category: Salad, Side dish
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Servings: 10
Calories: 350 calories
Publisher: Fourth of July Recipes
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 247 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad, Recipe, Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad Recipe, Top rated, Fourth of July
Recipe Video
This is a video about Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad.
Nutrition
Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad is a delightful dish that offers a variety of nutrients.
The cornbread provides carbohydrates and a touch of sweetness, while the fresh vegetables contribute vitamins and fiber.
The ranch dressing and mayonnaise bring richness to the salad.
It's a balanced dish that can be enjoyed as a side or a light main course.
Tips
- Perfect Cornbread: Ensure your cornbread is perfectly baked and cooled before assembling the salad. It should be crumbly and not too dry.
- Layering: Pay attention to the layering. Start with cornbread at the bottom, followed by vegetables, cheese, and dressing, and repeat.
- Overnight Rest: Let the salad chill overnight for the best flavor. This allows the flavors to meld.
- Crispy Bacon: Make sure your bacon is crispy; it adds a fantastic crunch.
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, ripe tomatoes and vibrant green onions for the best results.
- Substitution: Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies or add some heat with jalapeños.
- Dress Lightly: Don't overdo the dressing. Add it in layers, and taste as you go to ensure it's not too heavy.
Serving
- Serve the Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad chilled.
- Use a large spoon to scoop generous portions onto plates.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of extra bacon or a dash of fresh herbs.
Pairing
- Grilled Meats: This salad pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, ribs, or burgers.
- Fried Chicken: For a true Southern feast, add some crispy fried chicken to the menu.
- Potato Salad: Balance the flavors with a classic potato salad.
- Fresh Fruit: A fruit salad or fruit platter adds a refreshing touch.
- Iced Tea or Lemonade: Cool down with some sweet iced tea or lemonade.
Presentation
To make your Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad shine on your Fourth of July table, use a glass trifle dish to show off the layers and colors.
A sprinkle of chopped green onions or fresh herbs on top adds an extra pop of freshness.
Ingredients Substitutes
If you need to make some substitutions, you can replace the canned corn and pinto beans with fresh or frozen versions.
You can also experiment with different types of cheese or use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon for a leaner option.
Remarks
In conclusion, the Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad is a must-try for your Fourth of July celebration. With its enticing mix of flavors and textures, it's a dish that's sure to impress your guests.
Whether you're an experienced cook or a novice, this recipe offers a straightforward path to culinary success.
So, get ready to create a delicious and memorable Independence Day feast with this Brenda Gantt Cornbread Salad.
Enjoy your Fourth of July!
