Johnny Cakes

I've heard of Johnny cakes for years and have eaten a few myself.  But, I remember my grandmother calling them hotcakes.  Being from the South, I laid claim to them assuming they were associated with the Civil War. The term hoecake was attributed to slaves, but Johnny Cakes go back farther than that, and many cultures have embraced their origin.

The original Southern version was made with yellow cornmeal, boiling water and bacon grease.







I found this version in a local paper from a restaurant in town and can't wait for fresh local corn to come to the market.  These Johnny Cakes are great for Garden parties and picnics since they hold up well for several hours.

Bacon Johnny Cakes

1 1/2 cups organic cornmeal
1 cup organic all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup fresh buttermilk
1/4 cup butter warm
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 strips bacon (small,diced, and crisped in a pan)
1 ear of corn ( shucked and cut off the cob)
Mix together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, and baking soda.  Add to that the whisked eggs, buttermilk, butter, corn, and bacon.

Heat a pan to medium high and add enough oil to cover the bottom.

Add the batter 2 tablespoons at a time to form 3 inch circles.  Don't crowd the pan as they will expand.  Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until they form little air bubbles on the underside before you flip them. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Recipe from Elemental www.elementalrestaurant.com
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Photo. Bing photos

Got Milkweed?

According Monarch Watch there are many reasons there has been a decline in the monarch butterfly population.Widespread use of herbicides, developement of subdivisions and shopping centers and the mowing along highways has contributed to the decline of nectar sources.

But there are some things we can do. Why not create a monarch waystation at your home, business, or school?  It can be as large or small as you like.  You need to plant milkweed that are native to your area, so below I have listed a few for your region.



Northeast:  common milkweed, swamp milkweed, butterfly milkweed, poke milkweed

South Central:  antelope horn milkweed,  green antelope horn milkweed, zizotes milkweed

Southeast:  aquatic milkweed, white milkweed, butterfly milkweed

West:  showy milkweed, antelope horn milkweed (only in NV AZ NM CO ID KS, and OK)

Without milkweeds in the spring and summer,which provide breeding areas, the popuation cannot be maintained.  Without nectar from flowers, they cannot make the long migration to Mexico each fall.

You can register your waystation and even purchase a plaque  identify your garden as an official Monarch Waystation.


For more information contact www.MonarchWatch.org
Photo from www.bugmugs.org

Garden Planner Giveaway

And the winner is........Emily Rose.  Thank you to all who entered