Eggless Polenta and Sweetcorn Pancakes

It’s Pancake Day this Tuesday 8th March which funnily enough, automatically makes it acceptable for us to stuff our faces with stacks of syrup-drenched pancakes. I’m never one to argue when it comes to traditions like these.

These sweet/savoury pancakes are made with fine cornmeal and juicy kernels of sweetcorn and no eggs whatsoever. Instead, I used baking soda as a raising agent, which makes the pancakes light, fluffy and perfect for brunch. Don’t you just love waking up to the smell of warm pancakes on a duvet day?

I really love sweet and savoury flavours together, although I don’t often play around with dishes to create them. I also added mature cheddar cheese to these because I like to live on the wild side, but you could add chopped spring onions, or both for that matter.

Eggless Polenta and Sweetcorn Pancakes
(makes 8-10)

Ingredients

120g fine cornmeal
30g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp oil
3 tbsp sour cream
140g sweetcorn
140g mature cheddar cheese, grated
½ tsp salt
Pinch ground white pepper
Approx 250ml water or enough to make a thick batter similar to cake batter

Extra oil to grease your pan
Maple syrup and butter to serve

Method

1. In a large bowl, sift together the cornmeal, flour and bicarbonate of soda. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine thoroughly.

2. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes.

3. Grease a wide, non-stick pan and place on a low heat. Allow 2 tbsp of batter for each pancake, slightly flattening as you spread onto the pan.

4. Cook on a med/low heat until small bubbles begin to appear on the surface of the pancake, flip and cook on then other side. Keep in a warm place while you repeat the same process for the remaining batter. Serve in a stack, drizzle with maple syrup and a pat of butter.

Are you a syrup kind of person? Or do you prefer a spritz of lemon juice and a dusting of sugar? I need to know all about your pancake habits so as to progress my own – and because I’m a pancake fiend.