Cornmeal

Cornmeal is dried, ground Maize corn. It comes in a variety of colors, tastes and grinds.

• yellow cornmeal
• white cornmeal
• blue cornmeal
• masa harina
• stone ground cornmeal

Cornmeal is used in making cornbread, which has different varieties in the northern and southern USA. Northern cornbread is sweeter and cakier than southern cornbread which is made with all cornmeal, no wheat flour mixed in.

Cornmeal is also used to prevent sticking when baking bread and pizza. Cornmeal makes an excellent thickener in rustic sauces, but tends to lump up. It is the major ingredient in polenta and mush.

See also: Hominy, Grits