Jonnycake

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jonnycake (also spelled "johnnycake" and "journey cake") is an unleavened cornmeal pancake popular in regional American cuisine and strongly identified with Rhode Island foods. A 1776 diary of Thomas Vernon mentions "Jonny cake" while dining in Glocester, Rhode Island page 43. A Jonnycake is usually made of lightly sweetened cornmeal and hot water and fried in butter, somewhat similar to fried polenta or thin cornbread.

Jonnycakes are often served with maple syrup or other sweet toppings. Jonnycake enthusiasts disagree as to whether to use white or yellow cornmeal. Kenyon's of Usquepaugh, Rhode Island, is a popular maker of jonnycake corn meal mix.

Hoecakes are a variant of jonnycakes. They are cooked on the blade of a hoe, usually by field workers.

[edit] Recipe

Here is an example of a common jonnycake recipe that makes eight to ten cakes:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground white or yellow corn meal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup milk (optional)

Combine corn meal, salt, and sugar and mix well. Gradually stir in water until mixture is smooth. It will be quite thick and the consistency of mashed potatoes. For thinner jonnycakes, add up to 1/2 cup milk or water.

Heat griddle and thoroughly grease with butter. Drop batter by tablespoons onto griddle and fry over medium heat for about six minutes or until small bubbles pop on top of the pancake. Be careful griddle is not too hot. Turn and cook on the other side for another six minutes. Serve buttered with maple or pancake syrup.

[edit] Trivia

In the popular television series The Sopranos, while hiding in New Hampshire, mobster Vito Spatafore begins a relationship with a short-order cook who regularly serves him jonnycakes.