Johnny Cakes

Johnny Cake
Johnny Cake Meal is simply Stone Ground White Corn Meal. Johnny Cakes are made from hot boiling water (sometimes milk) and a little bit of sugar and salt. They are then put on a greased griddle and cooked for about 6 minutes per side. This traditional food used to be called a "Journey Cake", because the settlers took them on their journeys. Did you know that Johnny Cakes are cooked differently across the world? It all started in New England.
Yield
3
Yield
3
Johnny Cake
Johnny Cake Meal is simply Stone Ground White Corn Meal. Johnny Cakes are made from hot boiling water (sometimes milk) and a little bit of sugar and salt. They are then put on a greased griddle and cooked for about 6 minutes per side. This traditional food used to be called a "Journey Cake", because the settlers took them on their journeys. Did you know that Johnny Cakes are cooked differently across the world? It all started in New England.
Yield
3
Yield
3
Ingredients
  • 1/2cup white or yellow corn mealfine or very small coarse
  • 1teaspoon sugar
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 1/4cup boiling water
  • 1/4cup milk
Yield:
Instructions
  1. 1. Gradually add boiling water to your dry “mix”, mixing with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon until all the meal is moistened, then add half of the milk and continue mixing. You know the consistency is right when there is a loose “plop” of batter off the spoon.
  2. 2. Well oil a hot griddle at 340° - 380°. Use a well-seasoned cast iron griddle or Teflon or T-Fal one. Do not use cast aluminum, or the cakes will stick!
  3. 3. Spoon batter on to the griddle - one spoonful to a cake. Tap spoon on the griddle to release batter from spoon and to control the shape of the cake. One adjusts the size of the cake by changing the size of the spoon (Ice tea spoon - small; Tablespoon - larger). Leave cake undisturbed until it becomes brown around the edges and firm - then leave a little longer. Place a few drops of corn oil on top of each cake before turning over. Turn cake over and pat down slightly to keep uniform thickness. This side doesn’t need quite so much time to brown. Don't be afraid to press them down. When done remove to platter.
  4. 4. (OPTIONAL) Place several large spoonfuls of softened “whipped” butter (found in the dairy case) into a cup. Add some real maple syrup to the butter and mix very well by slicing the butter with the side of the spoon until mixed, and then stirring until smooth and sauce-like. Spread small amounts of this maple butter on each cooked cake at time of serving using the back of the butter spoon as your spreader.
  5. After some practice, the fun begins! Try adding something to the batter, and try adding something to the butter for an endless variety of delicious combinations.
  6. For example, use... a. Finely grated Orange Zest in the batter & a splash or two of Grande Marnier in the butter b. Chopped Shrimp or Lobster in the batter & a squirt of Tabasco Sauce in the butter c. Finely chopped onion in the batter & a small amount of grated Horseradish in the butter
  7. Avoid serving butter and maple syrup on a hot Johnny Cake to first-time eaters, particularly to children, as the taste and texture may surprise or disappoint someone who is expecting a “pancake”. Serve that first cake just plain and be sure to call it “Journey Bread” or “Corn Bread”. Dress it up, later