The Stars and the Cookie Jar

I think this one worked so well purely on the strength of its ingredients. As I mentioned, I'm not sure what kind of pepper a CSA Death Pepper is -- our farmer is very, uhm, unique and the pepper in question looks like a Thai bird chili crossed with Slimer.

1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup (scant) neutral-flavored vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk or enough dry buttermilk + water to make 1 cup
1 egg
2 1-inch-long, baby-finger-thin hot peppers, diced following all necessary hot pepper protocols to prevent dire personal injury
OR 2 teaspoons dried diced jalapeno pepper
4 ounces sharpest white cheddar cheese, the kind sharp enough to have little crystals in it, crumbled into medium chunks

Preheat oven to 425F and lightly oil a 9-inch round or square pan.

Combine dry ingredients, whisk, add peppers and cheddar, whisk again and add oil, liquid and egg. Mix until no dry streaks remain. Pour into prepared pan and bake 20 minutes.