One taste of Corn Pie brings me a rush of memories……It was Sunday; the old man’s leg had been amputated and I used to visit him on this day to “ole talk” * and keep him company. We would talk at length on many issues ranging from the spiritual to the mundane. I was in a sort of school, as I would put it, because I gained something every time I left. But this Sunday was different.
Not Coo Coo, But Corn Pie
I was served the usual Sunday lunch of stew chicken, red beans and rice with some callaloo at the side but that day there was a new side in my plate. I thought, why would they serve me Coo Coo? But my question was answered with one taste of this pie. It wasn’t coo coo but it tasted delicious!
I later learnt that it was called corn pie. I asked his daughter for the recipe and a few weeks later I had my own copy of that umami filled, corn pie recipe. I placed it between the pages of my trusty Naparima recipe book* and there it stayed for years: only to come out on special occasions……
The old man passed and the Sunday visits ceased, but two things remained: what I learnt from him and the corn pie recipe [ Still between the aged pages of my Naparima book ( my first recipe book ) and still coming out on special occasions: the page brown with age]… Now it has a resting place. Right here for all to enjoy (and in my recipe book which is now available in Amazon). What memories would you have when you taste a piece of corn pie? I hope it is as memorable as mine. Enjoy corn pie!
Corn Pie Recipe
CORN PIE
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 can whole kernel corn
½ tsp. salt
¼ cup (2 oz.) butter
½ tsp. black pepper or white pepper
8 tbsp. Promasa Cornmeal
2 pimento peppers, chopped
2 medium sized onions, chopped
1 large sweet pepper, diced
1 cup evaporated milk
Direction:
Add 1 egg to the liquid from 1 can of whole kernel corn. If there is little liquid add water to bring it up to about 1 cup liquid. Beat well then add salt and black pepper or white pepper. Stir in cornmeal to a smooth paste and set aside.
Melt the butter and sauté the onion, pimento peppers and sweet pepper.
Add evaporated milk and bring to boil.
Add the cornmeal mixture and stir on low heat to a consistent paste.
Stir in the whole kernel corn. Continue stirring until it leaves the sides of the pot.
Remove from heat and pour into a greased dish. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Corn Pie FAQs:
- How do I make a corn pie that does not crumble? Bake the pie in a well-greased dish. Use very fine cornmeal and no flour.
- How do I refrigerate leftover corn bread? Cut the pie into serving sizes and wrapped in foil. It can be frozen until needed.
- I don’t have whole corn, can I still make this recipe? Sure, you can use cream style corn in this recipe as well.
Deepest apologies for not posts last week: my computer crashed. Well, as usual more to come. Hope you enjoyed the corn pie. I always do 🙂
* ole talk – chat
* Naparima Book – A recipe book of Trinidad and Tobago recipes done by the Naparima Girls’ High School reputed to be one of the essentials in any Trini kitchen.
Corn Pie
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add 1 egg to the liquid from 1 can of whole kernel corn. If there is little liquid add water to bring it up to about 1 cup liquid.
- Beat well then add salt and black pepper or white pepper. Stir in cornmeal to a smooth paste and set aside. Melt the butter and saute the onion, pimento peppers and sweet pepper.
- Add evaporated milk and bring to boil. Add the cornmeal mixture and stir on low heat to a consistent paste. Stir in the whole kernel corn. Continue stirring until it leaves the sides of the pot. Remove from heat and pour into a greased dish. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for approx 30 minutes or until golden brown.
By the way, The Simply Trini Cooking Cookbook is now available at Amazon in Kindle and paper back copy. The cookbook contains over 600 recipes. Order your copy today!
Ohhhh, Felix, thanks for sharing this recipe. I am definitely going to try this. I love that this pie is firm, now I know that it is from the cornmeal. I have everything but the can of corn if not I’d make it today…
This is fast becoming a favourite of mine. I love its simplicity and also how quickly it can be made. Thank you Cynthia for stopping by. 🙂
Back when I worked in a Ministry in Trinidad, there was a particular caterer we used for small events – and around Christmas time, she always had this fantastic corn pie! Was one of my favourites!
I never thought, would have liked this but it tasted so good. will be on my sunday menus more often.
Thank you Felix
We made this a month ago, substituting canned corn for fresh boiled one and adding some extra zucchini, which needed to be used.
It was delicious!
I love your blog and am eager to try lots of other recipes from it.
Cheers.
Thank you Foehre.Now you’ve given me an idea next time I’ll try that zucchini. 🙂
Felix I will say I shared the same expression (why would my aunt feed me coocoo) cause I dont eat coocoo, but when I ate that pie It was so Damn GOOD I begged for the recipe and I wasn’t given it, so thanks for sharing it here.
Try this with Jiffy Corn Muffin mix and a tin of cream style corn to the mixture… it is de best… you could also vary it by adding sugar for a sweet flavour (a Dessert dish)
You can also add tuna or salmon to the mixture to get a tuna/salmon corn casserole…
It’s Thanksgiving and I tried it as a side using canned sweet corn and coconut milk (since my guests are lactose intolerant) – delicious! Thanks so much Felix.
You’re welcome Rahila and Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
The first corn pie I ever made was using this recipe, after a google search of ‘recipe for corn pie’ lol..N.B. I wowed my mom and at the time i was only 19 with no interest in cooking. This simple and precise recipe not only made the corn pie tasty, but gave it that special trini flavor!! Thanks Felix =)
I came across this recipe from a link at Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner and Punch and gave it a try tonight. It turned out great! Very tasty. I dug in straight from the oven so it was little bit mushy but I’m guessing it will firm up after I let it stand for a bit. Will definitely be adding this to my repertoire.
Thank you for stopping by Candi and trying out the corn pie recipe. I saw Wizzy’s version when I passed the other day. it was a nice twist with the chilli…. So you couldn’t wait for it to cool eh? Hope you didn’t scald your tongue lol! Visit again soon 🙂
I DO NOT COOK AT ALL … but I too just saw this recipe at Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Punch … and I am definitely going to try it … I love corn!
this is my family favourite dish thanks.
WOW, WOW, WOW… no kidding, learn to cook grits and you can hit it home with this. This was incredible. Albeit, cook it slow is key. COCO is called corn? Sorry, I live in a fertilly rich area in Lancaster Co, PA. NO ONE CAN WAIT HERE FOR FRESH CORN SEASON! Ooooh, boil it and eat straight from the cob. Your version of this is incredible. Even our locals “Amish” could not top this. Way yummmmy. BUT I did add that all too much of a favorite to this, just seems to go hand in hand, Some BACON!!!!! Browned crisp and papertoweled to degrease. AHHHHHH, heaven in every bite!!!!
can I use cream style corn instead of whole kernel corn?
I guess you can use cream style corn but seeing that this is a very accurate recipe already, you may not get the same taste this dish is famous for.
Hi Felix,
I am going to try this recipe for a wedding on Saturday. By how much should i increase the recipe by to get about 2 large foil pan of corn pie?
Thanks
What are the dimensions of the pan you’re going to use?
Approximately 10 inches x 18 inches
Thank you
This is an approximation …for the two pans X 5.
Hi Felix, I just discovered this site cuz I was looking for an oxtail recipe. I’ve NEVER commented before but I felt compelled to do it this time. Thank you for making all your recipes sooooooo simple and the ingredients are so easy to find, but I think I enjoy reading your intros at the beginning of each recipe the most. Thanks again
Thank you Dionne 🙂
I would love for the administrator to remove third party restrictions from the site. So that I can pin one of my favorite recipes to pinterest. It will be appreciated. Thank you 🙂
What problems are you encountering?
None now. O_o Thank you.
omg i tried this and my family wants more and more of it.thanks for sharing
I like it whenever people come together and share ideas. Great
website, continue the good work!
i love it. Ummmm i always wanted to knw how to make this.thanks a lot. Keep up the good work.
hi
i was just wondering is there a substitute i can use for the eggs, my husband does not eat eggs and i would love to try this recipe.
To substitute 1 egg, simmer 1 tbsp ground flaxseed in 3 tbsp of water until it is slightly thickened. Then cool to room temperature before you use it.
can this be made with cheese in it?
I prefer to add the cheese as a topping.
I like this recipe.
So where’s the cheese?
R U Felix Padilla?? I found a recipe with cheese here
http://latinfood.about.com/od/salsassaucesdips/r/trinidadian-corn-pie.htm
I’m happy you liked the recipe Java. Yes I am Felix Padilla in the flesh. The cheese was just a variation my friend Cynthia did, but the original recipe I did does not call for cheese since it increases the calories of the dish. Adding the cheese is optional.
Awesome!
(Gonna comment on another one of your recipes).
One of the best things about Corn Pie is the many variations. I made this today and it is very delicious. Definitely another one of the more tasty versions both in flavor and texture. To me, no Corn Pie would be complete without the added flavor of peppers and the firm yet moist texture from the cornmeal makes this Corn Pie recipe one I’ll make again!
Hi good day felix. Can this be made without Eggs. Don’t like eggs in pie so could you tell me of a replacement or if it could be done without it. Thank you…
Yes, I believe you can leave the eggs out, you can use ground flaxseed. Simmer about 1 tablespoon in 3 tablespoon of warm water until it is slightly thickened. Cool and use in the recipe.
Absolutely delicious. Very simple recipe to follow with a delicious end result. Love love love
I eventually tried it eggless http://simplytrinicooking.com/eggless-corn-pie/
i found this dish interesting although i substituted the whole kernel corn for 2 whole kernels and 2 cream corns. although im only 12 i can still cook very well an found this recipe one of the easiest i’ve made
I still have the Naparima girls Recipe book , this recipe isn’t in it.
I never said it was published in the Recipe book. I got the recipe and kept in the book for safekeeping. And it is still there. 🙂
I find all corn dishes are really all the same…i make a corn pudding with frozen corn I put all sort of veggies in,,and when its baked,,,with a lovely golden top,,,it looks the same as your corn-pie when its sliced………qqq
Felix
May I suggest the addition of 3 egg yolks? Having experimented due to my love of the dish, that it actually gives it the texture of a soufflé.
I also include grated cheddar cheese as well, the amount is usually any where from 3/4 cup to 2 (depending on the level of stress that day ????)
Hope this is useful.
I’ll think of that Kiomi. Thank you for taking the time to comment much appreciated 🙂
I’ll think of that Kiomi. Thank you for taking the time to comment, much appreciated 🙂
omg omg i love your blog and your recipes!
He hecho esta receta varias veces viviendo en Trinidad, donde vivo hace 4 anos, pero nunca causo tanta sensacion como cuando la hice el domingo pasado en Republica Dominicana, la adoraron (no quedo ni la muestra!)
I made this recipe a few times living in Trinidad, where I lived the last 4 years, but never caused much sensation as when I did last Sunday in the Dominican Republic, they loved!!!
I made this for Christmas along with your carrot rice, paprika chicken and callaloo and I must say, this certainly was the star of all the dishes! It was fabulous! So much so, now my aunt wants me to make a whole pie for her but methinks that ain’t gonna happen lol! I may have to swipe half of it. Nevertheless, I just want to say that your recipes are really simple and your directions are topnotch. Ever since I discovered your website earlier this year, that Naparima cookbook has been collecting dust. Thank you for your wonderful tasty recipes. I look forward to more wonderful creations from you to satiate my greedy desires. lol!
“Satiate your greedy desires”; I like that Trisha. And, I will do my best to keep you, and the many others that visit frequently, satisfied 🙂
This is the best corn pie recipe. Forget the rest!!