Tuscan Style Cornbread (Polenta Bread) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 3/4 cups half-and-half or 1 3/4 cups light cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup pancetta, small dice (cooked crisp and drained) or 9 slices bacon, chopped (cooked crisp and drained)
1 (8 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
1 tablespoon shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
butter, softened (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F In a medium bowl combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Add 1 tablespoon oil to a 10 inch cast iron skillet or 9-inch round cake pan and place in oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and swirl oil around to coat bottom and sides.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine half-and-half, eggs, and remaining oil. Crumble in bacon, then stir in tomatoes, shallot, and rosemary. Add dry cornmeal mixture and stir just until moistened. Pour batter into skillet or cake pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.
Cut into wedges and serve with softened butter.