Utah woman wins top prize for cornbread

Southerners take their cornbread very seriously.

1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese1/2 cup coarsely crushed small corn chipsFor those who want to try the recipe, you're in luck. In February, Martha White baking mixes expanded into the Salt Lake City market. Check your local grocery store for availability, or you can experiment with another similar-size brand of cornbread mix. All winning recipes will eventually be posted on www.marthawhite.com.1 cup chopped tomatoes1 cup minced cilantro1 (6.5 ounce) package Martha White Yellow Cornbread and Muffin MixCrunchtastic Chicken Chipotle Cornbread1 large egg, beaten1 avocado, mashedCornbread:1 cup small corn chipsSlaw:Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 10 1/4-inch cast-iron skillet (or heavy-duty pan) with no-stick cooking spray. Stir together cornbread mix, egg and salsa in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in chicken, chili powder, green onions, green chiles and 1 cup cheese. Pour into prepared skillet. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and 1/2 cup corn chips. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.3/4 cup green (tomatillo) salsaFor a cooling contrast, the spicy cornbread is topped off with a crisp avocado and cabbage slaw, chopped tomatoes and corn chips. Mylroie was also a finalist in 2009, and she said if she manages to come back next year, she wants to bring the whole family along for a Civil War history trip.e-mail: vphillips@desnews.comJuice and peel of one limeBut coming from Utah's own Dixie might have given Erin Renouf Mylroie a leg up at the 2010 National Cornbread Cook-Off, held in South Pittsburg, Tenn.The National Cornbread Cook-Off is held the last weekend of April, in conjunction with the National Cornbread Festival, and it is sponsored by Martha White baking mixes and Lodge Cast Iron.1/2 cup sour creamHer Crunchtastic Chicken Chipotle Cornbread helped her capture second place at the event. Lori Stephens of Hendersonville, Tenn., was crowned with a coveted cast-iron-skillet crown as the grand prize winner for her Bacon and Gorgonzola Cornbread Sliders with Chipotle Mayo recipe.3 cups shredded cabbage1 4-ounce can diced green chiliesServes 6. -- Erin Renouf Mylroie1/2 cup chopped green onionsMylroie, from Santa Clara, won $1,500 for her trouble. She kicked up the cornbread's flavor by adding green salsa, chipotle chili powder, green chiles and pepper jack cheese before topping with cheese and corn chips.1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chickenNon-stick cooking sprayWhile cornbread is baking, combine sour cream, avocado, lime juice and peel. Stir in cabbage and cilantro. Mix well. Salt and pepper to taste. Slice cornbread into six wedges. Top each slice with slaw, tomatoes and corn chips.Salt and pepperToppings:

e-mail: vphillips@desnews.com