This corn bread can also be used in stuffing, for turkeys, or for the Pork Loin Roast with Apple Sage Stuffing. The flavors are excellent with roasted meats, but stand well on their own too. Serve a vegetarian style meal if you like, with a bean dish or tofu; this is a  healthy recipe for corn bread, using whole foods.

I made the following recipe using whole grain, organic corn flour; typically, corn meal is degerminated, so look for one that's a whole grain. The recipe is also gluten-free, and if you want dairy-free too, try substituting some coconut milk for the buttermilk; either one works just fine.

The addition of some maple syrup and frozen apple juice concentrate eliminates the need for refined sugar, while adding extra flavor and moistness. This corn bread recipe serves 4 (if half is used for the pork recipe), or serves 8 as a side dish.

Ingredients:

• Half of a medium onion (about 3/4 c.)
• 1/2 c. celery
• 1 med. apple
• 2 TBS. fresh chopped sage (or 2 tsp. dry)
• 2 eggs
• 2 TBS. frozen apple juice concentrate
• 2 TBS. maple syrup
• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 3/4 c. buttermilk (or substitute regular milk w/lemon added, or coconut milk)
• 1/3 c. golden raisins (Optional) 
• 1 1/2 c. corn flour, not degerminated (found at health food stores)
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt

In a 12" iron skillet, grill the following in a dash of olive oil, until translucent, about 10 min.: > Half of a medium onion (about 3/4 c.), chopped > 1/2 c. celery, minced

To the cooked onion and celery in pan, add: > 1 med. apple, peeled, cored, and diced (about 1 c.)

Cook the apple/onion mix just a minute or so. Turn off heat and add: > 2 TBS. fresh chopped sage (or 2 tsp. dry)

In a separate bowl, beat:  > 2 eggs

Also add to the egg bowl: > 2 TBS. frozen apple juice concentrate >  2 TBS. maple syrup > 1/4 c. olive oil > 3/4 c. buttermilk (or substitute regular milk w/lemon added, or coconut milk) > 1/3 c. golden raisins (optional)

Mix the dry ingredients separately: > 1 1/2 c. corn flour, not degerminated (find at health food stores) > 4 tsp. baking powder > 1/4 tsp. salt

To the egg bowl, also add: > The grilled mix > The dry ingredients

Mix everything up, stirring just until smooth. Add a splash of olive oil to the iron skillet, and pour the batter into the skillet. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 min. or so, until golden. Serve warm or cooled off. It's good either way!