Sopa Paraguaya (Paraguayan Cornbread)

realbirdlady's Note:

A lighter version of a traditional Paraguayan dish blending indigenous Guarani starches with Spanish seasonings. (From "Lighten Up".)

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 wedges

• cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese , grated
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup onion , chopped
• 1⁄3; cup green bell pepper , chopped
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about four med. ears)
• ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
• 1 ½ cups cornmeal
• ¾ cup cheese (3 oz)
• ½ cup skim milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large egg whites
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Coat a 9 inch round cake pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and set aside.
3. Heat butter and oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes or until soft.
4. Place onion mixture in a food processor. Add 1 1/2 cup corn and cottage cheese; process until almost smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
5. Place pureed mixture in a large bowl. Stir in remaining corn, cornmeal, cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
6. Place egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
7. Gently stir one-fourth of egg white mixture into batter; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture.
8. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
9. Bake 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. (Cover loosely with foil if top becomes too brown before the center is done.).
10. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack.
11. Cut into wedges.

Reviews

[Darkhunter]

While trying to decide how to rate this, I was reminded of the joke about the b'way casting director who said of one hopeful's tryout, "Talent 10-Looks 2." Taste 10 - Prep 4. A little too labor intensive for me, but really, really great taste! Will probably make again, though, as it reminds me of my Paraguayan exchange student. Thnx for posting, realbirdlady. Made for ZWT4.

[katew]

Soft and fluffy and fabulous served warm with butter !!Good way to use up frozen egg whites too. Made for Zingo, ZWT 4.

[Kitchen Witch Steph]

I love corn bread so I was very happy to have this with my black beans and rice tonight for dinner. I admittedly didn't go low fat with any of the ingredients and added a wee bit of sucanat so that it was sweet enough to make the kids happy. Skipped the cheese and otherwise enjoyed the recipe as is. Thanks for posting. Made for my Babes for ZWT4.