Johnny cake is a pancake or flatbread made from cornmeal, with simple ingredients and various toppings. It originated from Native American cuisine and can be made by frying, baking or grilling. It is also known as “travel cake” and can be served sweet or savory.
A johnny cake is a type of pancake or flatbread made from cornmeal. There are a number of regional names for johnny cakes, including pone corn, jonikin, mash, and Shawnee cake, but the recipe remains essentially universal. The ingredients in a johnny cake are simple and easy to whip up, and the variety lies in the toppings, which can be sweet, like maple syrup, or more savory. Many people associate Johnny’s pies with pioneers and the American Northeast.
Corn is a New World crop and formed an important part of the diet of many Native Americans. When European explorers began settling in the United States, corn was one of the first foods they added to their diets, as Native Americans showed them how to grow and prepare it. The original johnny cakes were baked on hot stones near an open fire; modern versions may require frying, baking, or even grilling in some cases.
Since johnny cake can easily be made by someone on the go, some people refer to it as “travel cake.” It has been suggested that “johnny pie” may actually be a corruption of travel pie, and that travel pie was the original name for this once extremely common and popular food. Whatever you call it, traditional johnny pie has just four ingredients: corn, salt, sugar, and water. Modern variations can include milk, eggs, other flours, and additional ingredients, though purists tend to stick with the original ingredients.
To make Johnny Cake, mix a cup of cornmeal with a teaspoon of sugar and salt. He add one and a quarter cups of water, creating a thick batter. If you want to thin out your Johnny cake, add a half cup of water or milk for a richer flavor. Drop the batter onto a greased or greased griddle, fry until light brown, and flip to cook on the other side. Serve johnny pie warm with toppings of your choice; butter and maple syrup are common, although jams and savory spreads can also be used.
For variations on this classic griddle cake recipe, try mixing yellow and white cornmeal, or use molasses or honey for a sweetener, instead of sugar. You can also try serving these pancakes with fresh fruit or creamed corn for an extra saccharine flavor. Johnny cake can also be eaten cold and can be rolled up with a filling so it can be eaten as a cold sandwich later, or crumbled over other foods.
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