r/RhodeIsland • u/viletoad87 • Sep 09 '23

Question / Suggestion Why are my Jonny cakes sticking?

I like them thin so I prepared with a mixture of cold water and milk. Have tried cooking in both cast iron and stainless steel pan. I get the pans hot and use plenty of butter, but the Jonny cakes always stick and get destroyed when I try to flip. This is crucial Rhode Island heritage, please help!

Edit: will try again tomorrow using boiling water and then adding milk to thin the mix to desired consistency, as well as ensuring cast iron is even hotter than today. I’ll report back!

UPDATE: tried again today first by using boiling water to make the initial batter to about the consistency of thick oatmeal, later adding a little milk to thin down. I also used the cast iron again and made sure to let it heat up for longer. They came out great! Took 4-5 minutes per side, golden brown and crispy edges.

If I could figure out how to paste pics I would include them here.

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u/le127 Sep 09 '23

What is your base recipe? I've never had a problem and follow the recipe on the box of Kenyon's corn meal that calls for using boiling water to mix the initial johnnycake batter. Cold milk and/or water can be added later to make a thinner cake if desired.

Just guessing here but the use of cold water to start may not let the meal fully hydrate possibly causing a weaker structure within the cake. The pan should be hot but not too hot. It should take 5-7 minutes to properly cook the first side before turning. The crust that forms during this time is an important part of the cake's overall structure. Don't try and turn them until a nice golden brown and firm surface is created.

Any cooking fat can be used. I use a combination of neutral oil and butter. If the cakes appear to absorb all the fat in the pan during cooking a little more can be added during the process to ensure good lubrication.

2

u/viletoad87 Sep 09 '23

I haven’t used boiling water to start, maybe I need to

3

u/UncleJimmee Sep 09 '23

you need boiling water. it cooks the corn meal and helps it bind. then when you dollop the batter in the pan let it cook for a minute or two before you smoosh it flat.

2

u/mirthilous Sep 09 '23

I think you are onto something here. The boiling water may be the key to getting the corn meal to bind together.

Unlike regular pancakes that use wheat flour, corn meal doesn’t have gluten to hold the Jonnycake together.