How do you ferment cornmeal?
Fermented Cornbread Recipe – Flavorful fermented cornbread, a twist on original cornbread, made by fermenting cornmeal prior to baking. Course Side Dish Cuisine American Keyword cornbread, cornmeal, fermented, fermenting Prep Time 5 minutes Cook Time 25 minutes Total Time 30 minutes Servings 6 people
1.75 C cornmeal coarse 2.25 C milk kefir see other options below 1 tsp salt 1 ea egg 1/3 C butter melted 3 tsp baking powder
Mix the cornmeal and milk kefir (see other options for other ideas) in a large glass jar until combined. Lightly cover with a cheesecloth or piece of scrap fabric, or coffee filter and allow to sit for 8-10 hours. After 8-10 hours, the cornmeal should be visibly fermented (air pockets). Dump the jar contents into a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a pie dish or oven-safe baking dish with a little butter. Pour the batter in the baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cornbread starts to brown on the edges.
Feel free to sub the kefir with buttermilk. I bake my cornbread in a 9″ glass pie dish. but you could also use a square baking dish or even a muffin tin. If using a muffin tin, you might want to reduce the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
If you loved this cornbread recipe, I would be so appreciative if you it a review. Make sure you snap a pic of your cornbread & tag me on Instagram, Use the tag #RebootedMom or in your IG post at @ RebootedMom, For more great recipes, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram !
How much whiskey from 5 gallons of mash?
How Much Alcohol Will a Still Produce? – Before we get started, a reminder: Distilling alcohol is illegal without a federal fuel alcohol or distilled spirit plant permit as well as relevant state permits. Our distillation equipment is designed for legal uses only and the information in this article is for educational purposes only.
A 1 gallon run will yield 3-6 cups of alcohol A 5 gallon run will yield 1-2 gallons of alcohol A 8 gallon run will yield 1.5-3 gallons of alcohol A 10 gallon run will yield 2-4 gallons of alcohol
For the researchers, science nerds, alchemists, and truth seekers, here’s why:
Why do you soak cornmeal in milk?
It seems a simple enough concoction, cornbread. A few basic ingredients, a fairly standard quick bread. But dig a little deeper, as with so many things, and a shifting landscape reveals itself. Cornbread, like other cultural touchstones, stands for more than a simple snack.
Depending on the region, it is either sweet or savory, may or may not contain white flour, and is to be eaten with or without additions such as fresh or creamed corn, jalapeños or other diced vegetables and cheese. Though cornmeal originated in South America, like the corn plant itself, it spread through trade and commerce throughout the land, and has become an iconic food of the South and West, particularly.
In the Southern regions of the country, cornbread is made without the addition of sugar or white flour, whereas in the west, it often contains these ingredients. Westerners, too, are also more likely to add a little diced jalapeñ o or other additions, as noted above.
We like to cook ours in a cast iron skillet, in true cowboy style. Aside from harkening back to a shared cultural affinity for wide open spaces, smoky campfires, and a restless spirit of adventure, a cast iron pan also makes a darn fine culinary tool. The heavy bottom retains heat and distributes it evenly, making for a fine, crisp crust.
It adds a little bit of old western flair to the dinner table. And a cast-iron pan, properly seasoned, rivals even the most high-tech of non-stick skillets in the non-sticking department. The cornmeal in this recipe is ground coarsely, and can be quite toothsome. This recipe is for a 9″ Cast Iron Skillet Serves 6-8
Does cornmeal ferment?
Why Ferment Cornmeal? – The body can struggle to absorb nutrients from cornmeal. As a result, it can be hard for the body to digest. Aztec and Mayan civilizations historically used a process that used lime to break down corn for making masa flour. Mix the milk kefir, water and cornmeal in a jar until combined.
Top with a piece of fabric and allow to sit for up to 24 hours. Fermenting is close to that process not only does it add an additional depth of flavor, it allows the nutrients to be more readily absorbed. It also reduces the aflatoxins from contaminated corn.
How long does it take for corn mash to start fermenting?
Download Article Download Article Moonshine mash is a popular way to make an alcoholic beverage using a few basic ingredients. Start by mixing the cornmeal, sugar, water, and yeast together. Then, ferment the mash so it becomes alcoholic and distill it so it tastes great as a drink. You can then sip moonshine mash on its own or add it to cocktails or other drinks for a little kick.
- 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) ground cornmeal
- 10 pounds (4.5 kg) white granulated sugar
- 10 gallons (38 l) of water (distilled if possible)
- 1 ⁄ 2 ounce (14 g) active dry yeast, preferably Turbo
- 1 to 2 cups (0.24 to 0.47 l) water
- 1-2 bags dried fruit (optional)
- 1 Boil 10 gallons (38 l) of water in a 20 gallons (76 l) stainless steel pot. Allow the water to reach boiling temperature, with large bubbles on the surface of the water.
- Use a pot that has been sterilized and cleaned. Do not use a pot that appears dirty or stained.
- 2 Stir in 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg) of cornmeal and boil for 5-7 minutes. Once the water comes to a boil, pour in the cornmeal and use a wooden spoon to mix it in. Continue to stir it until it becomes thick. Advertisement
- 3 Reduce the heat to 150 °F (66 °C). Turn down the heat so the cornmeal stays warm but is no longer boiling. Use a thermometer in the cornmeal to ensure it stays at the right temperature.
- Cooling down the cornmeal will ensure it interacts properly with the yeast when it is added.
- 4 Add 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of sugar and 1 ⁄ 2 ounce (14 g) of yeast. Pour the sugar and yeast into the cornmeal. Use a wooden spoon to combine. Stir it for 5-10 minutes. The mixture should become soupy and thin.
- Remove the mash from the heat once the sugar and yeast have been mixed in.
- 5 Put in dried fruit mash if you’d like more flavor. If you’d like to give the mash a more fruity flavor, soak 1-2 bags of dried fruit in 1 to 2 cups (0.24 to 0.47 l) of water. Then, mash the dried fruit up in the water so it becomes more of a juice. Pour the dried fruit mash into the cornmeal mixture and mix it in with a spoon.
- Try a fruit mash with bananas, apricots, and pineapple to add flavor. A dried fruit mash with blue berries, cherries, and strawberries can also give the mixture a nice fruity taste.
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- 1 Cover the mash and place it in a cool, dark place. You can leave the mash in the pot and place a lid on it or lay a cloth over it. Put the mash in a basement, cellar, or in the back of a closet so it can ferment. The temperature of 60 °F (16 °C) or lower is ideal.
- You can also pour the mash in an empty cooler and put the lid on it so it can ferment.
- 2 Allow it to ferment for 4-5 days. Moonshine mash made with Turbo yeast will ferment within 4-5 days. If you use bread yeast, it may take up to 1 week for the mash to ferment.
- 3 Check the mash for large bubbles on the surface. After 4-5 days, check the mash to see if there are large bubbles that are moving very slowly or sitting on the surface. This is usually a sign the mash is ready to be distilled.
- If the mash still has a lot of smaller bubbles on the surface, it may not be ready to distill and need more time to ferment.
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- 1 Distill the mash in a copper still if you have one available. Rent a copper still from your local brewing supply store or buy one. Look for a copper still made for homebrewing, as they will be smaller and more compact. Then, pour the mash in the still and distill it, following the directions attached to the copper still.
- You may want to invest in a copper still if you plan to make moonshine mash, and other home alcoholic beverages, often.
- A 13 gallons (49 l) copper still can range in price from $900-$1,300 USD.
- 2 Use a pressure cooker and a copper pipe as a makeshift still. Bring the mash to 173 °F (78 °C) in the pressure cooker. Attach a coiled copper pipe to the vent of the pressure cooker with electrical tape. Run the copper coil through a bucket of cold water and put the end in a clean container.
- This is a homemade approach to a copper still, so you may need to monitor it to ensure it works correctly. Check that the mash stays at a constant temperature so it can condense into moonshine.
- 3 Allow the mash to cool. Once you have distilled the mash, let it come to room temperature. The mash should look like a clear liquid with impurities still floating in it.
- 4 Filter the mash using cheesecloth and a strainer. Place a large plastic strainer over a large soup pot. Then, drape the cheesecloth over the strainer. Put a smaller strainer over the cheesecloth, holding it over the cheesecloth with your non-dominant hand.
- You can then squeeze the cheesecloth to remove any smaller impurities from the mash. The cheesecloth should get rid of the stuff sitting on the surface of the mash, or the head, so the mash runs clear.
- Repeat this process until you have strained out all the mash. It should appear clear and clean in the soup pot.
- Throw away the impurities once you have strained them out of the mash.
- 5 Store the moonshine mash in airtight glass jars. Make sure the glass jars are sterile and clean. Keep them in a cool, dark place, sealed tight. You can then sip moonshine mash on its own or add it to cocktails and other drinks.
- Moonshine mash should last for at least 6 months-1 year, if stored properly.
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Add New Question
- Question How can I add flavor to my moonshine mash? You can buy flavoring or put sliced fruit, like peaches and apples, inside the bottle for a month or two.
- Question Should I stir the corn mash before distilling to make the mash work more if there is still starch? Yes, as results tend to be better when you stir it before distilling, to make the mash work.
- Question Do I strain the mash before putting it into the boiler? Yes indeed. If you allow any solids in your wash, they will settle to the bottom of your cooking pot and burn. If you’ve ever had a few pinto beans burn in the pot, you’ll know what kind of taste you’ll have in your liquor.
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- Producing mash for alcoholic spirits or moonshine, either for private consumption or sale, is illegal in the United States and many other countries without proper licensing and permits.
- Making moonshine with a home still can put you at risk of bacterial contamination and alcohol poisoning. Proceed at your own risk.
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- 20 gallons (76 l) stainless steel pot
- Stove top or outdoor stove
- Liquid thermometer
- Long-handled wooden or metal spoon
- A pressure cooker
- A coiled copper pipe
- Electrical tape
- A copper still
Article Summary X To make moonshine mash, boil water in a 20 gallon pot. Add cornmeal and boil for 5-7 minutes. Then, reduce the heat and add sugar and yeast. Stir the mixture for 5-10 minutes, until it becomes soupy, and remove it from the heat. If you want to add more flavor, mash dried fruit in water until it becomes more of a juice and add it to the mash.
Does cornmeal ferment?
Why Ferment Cornmeal? – The body can struggle to absorb nutrients from cornmeal. As a result, it can be hard for the body to digest. Aztec and Mayan civilizations historically used a process that used lime to break down corn for making masa flour. Mix the milk kefir, water and cornmeal in a jar until combined.
Top with a piece of fabric and allow to sit for up to 24 hours. Fermenting is close to that process not only does it add an additional depth of flavor, it allows the nutrients to be more readily absorbed. It also reduces the aflatoxins from contaminated corn.
How do you know when corn mash is done fermenting?
Hydrometer Wisdom: Monitoring Fermentation As with all matters of life, there are two ways of monitoring the fermentation of your mash: the easy way and the complicated way. If you’re a K.I.S.S. fan – not the band, but the „Keep It Simple, Stupid” philosophy – you’ll prepare the mash and just let it be.
A day or two after adding the yeast, you’ll see the airlock bubble – and know the stuff’s doing its fermenting business. After 14 days, it should be about done. If it still bubbles, let it sit for another few days, or until you see no bubbling for at least a minute or two. Once there is no activity in the airlock, your mash is ready to run.
This is a non-scientific method but pretty reliable in judging when fermentation is completed. The scientific method isn’t actually that complicated either, and it will let you know that the mash has completely finished fermentation and determine its potential alcohol.
- What you’ll need is a beer or wine hydrometer.
- The hydrometer indicates the density, or specific gravity – SG – of a liquid, compared to water.
- As alcohol is thinner than water, the higher the alcohol content, the deeper the float sinks.
- Pure water has a specific gravity of 1.000 on the hydrometer scale.
Temperature is a key factor when measuring the specific gravity of a liquid – the hydrometer should indicate the temperature it’s calibrated to, and also include an adjustment table. A standard measuring temperature is 20°C or 70 °F. Original Gravity – OG Measure the gravity of your mash before fermentation – and before adding the yeast.
- The reading will be higher than 1.000, because of the sugars present in the mash.
- During fermentation, these sugars will be consumed by yeast causing the density and therefore specific gravity to lower.
- The number will be the lowest at the end of fermentation.
- Fill your hydrometer tube about 2/3 of an inch from the top with the wash/mash you wish to test.
Insert the hydrometer slowly not allowing it to drop. Give the hydrometer a light spin, to remove the air bubbles that may have formed.
- Read where the surface of the liquid cuts the scale of the hydrometer.
- You can also predict the potential alcohol of your mash from the original gravity.
- Original Gravity – Potential Alcohol
- 062 → 7.875%
- 064 → 8.125%
- 066 → 8.375%
- 068 → 8.625
- 070 → 8.875%
- 072 → 9.125%
- 074 → 9.375%
- 076 → 9.75%
- 078 → 10%
- 080 → 10.25%
- 082 → 10.5%
- 084 → 10.75%
- 086 → 11%
- 088 → 11.25%
- 090 → 11.5%
- 092 → 11.75%
- 094 → 12.125%
- 096 → 12.375%
- 098 → 12.75%
- 100 → 13%
- 102 → 13.25%
- 104 → 13.5%
- 106 → 13.875%
- 108 → 14.125%
Final Gravity – FG Measure the specific gravity of the mash after the airlock slows down and you’re not getting much activity. If the reading is at 1.000 or less, it is definitely done. If it’s 1.020 or higher, you may want to wait a day or two and then take another reading. Keep taking readings, if needed, until the gravity stops dropping – which means the fermentation is complete.
- A good rule of thumb: if the gravity hasn’t changed over the course of three days, then the mash is done fermenting.
- Final Gravity – Potential Alcohol
- Using the chart above and some math, you can calculate the alcohol content of your mash after fermentation is complete.
- ABV = (OG – FG) x 131
For instance, if the OG reading is 1.092 and the FG is 0.99, the math goes like this: (1.092-.99) x 131 = 13.36% ABV Remember, this is a rough estimate, as many factors are at play. But the science will at least keep you busy until you’re ready to get your whiskey still running. Posted by Jason Stone on June 01, 2015 : Hydrometer Wisdom: Monitoring Fermentation
How long does it take corn dough to ferment?
Directions –
- Put 3 cups of cornmeal into a nonreactive container, like glass or ceramic. Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix them together well using a wire whisk.
- Add 2-1/2 to 3 cups of lukewarm water (use a little more if the dough seems very dry). Mix thoroughly with a whisk, cover lightly with a cloth or paper towel and leave to sit in a warm place (counter, stovetop, or oven) for several days, stirring once a day.
- The dough should begin to bubble up as it ferments. If any mold forms on top, carefully scrape it off. The longer it ferments, the sourer it will become. I usually give mine about 3 days, depending on how warm the weather is. (Some people suggest adding a little vinegar to get the sour taste, but I do not.)
I once asked a food scientist in Ghana why the fermented corn dough in Ghana tastes different from the one I make here in the U.S. I already knew that the dry milled corn flour was coarser than the wet milled corn found in Ghana. He explained that it may partially be because they are different varieties of corn and different bacteria, but primarily because the starches change to sugar differently in the unground and ground corns.