Go Back

Navajo Blue Cornmeal Pancakes (Abe' Bee Neesmasi)

Course Breakfast
Cuisine Apache
Servings 10 pancakes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup roasted blue cornmeal
  • 2 tsp baking powder or juniper ash
  • 2 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 tsp cooking oil
  • Maple syrup or homemade jam for toppings optional

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together flour, blue cornmeal, baking powder or juniper ash, sugar, and salt in large bowl.
  • Add milk and stir.
  • Heat pan or griddle to medium heat.
  • Coat pan with cooking oil.
  • Use ladle to scoop approximately 1/4 cup of batter and pour into pan.
  • Flip pancake when bubbles form on the top.
  • Cook other side until golden brown.
  • Serve plain (traditional) or with optional toppings.

Notes

Juniper Ash is a traditional ingredient used in cooking among the Diné (Navajo) communities. Pancakes made with juniper ash will be denser and have a deeper purple color than those made with baking powder. Roasted blue corn and juniper ash are available through Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI).