Grease a 20 cm (8 inch) square cake tin with olive oil.
Sift together the flour, polenta, salt and baking powder into a large bowl.
Stir in the sugar, Parmesan, herbs and chilli.
Mix together the oil, eggs and buttermilk in a separate bowl, then pour into the dry ingredients and gently stir until combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in a preheated oven, 190°C (375°F), Gas Mark 5, for 30–35 minutes until golden.
Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool, then cut into 16 squares.
The bread is best eaten on the same day.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
For bacon & sweetcorn bread,
stir a drained 200 g (7 oz) can sweetcorn and 6 grilled chopped bacon rashers into the dry ingredients and continue as for Chilli corn bread. Calories per square 150