Gluten-Free Hoecakes

Gluten-Free Hoecakes----

Hoecakes are a traditional southern dish--- cornbread made from the simplest of ingredients, batter fried golden brown. Popular traditional stories claim the hoecake received its name from slaves cooking this simple fare on a field hoe. No matter where this primitive cornbread received its odd name, the fact remains, this is a sturdy, regional delicacy. It is often slathered in butter, molasses, or honey.

Let's make some hoecakes!

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups gluten-free cornmeal
1/2 cup vegetable shorting
2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium saucepan bring 2 cups water to boil.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.

Add vegetable shorting, then pour boiling water over the mixture.

Mix thoroughly until a thick paste.

Heat a large nonstick pan over medium to high heat, add vegetable oil. Using a small ladle or tablespoon to make 2 inch patties, spoon batter into pan.

Cook as hotcakes until golden brown and the edges begin to crisp a little, about a minute. Flip over and cook on the other side until the cakes have firmed and are a golden brown. Place on a plate with a paper towel to drain the oil. Repeat in small batches until batter is gone.