Corn Cakes

1 cup flour or 1 cup Trader Joe’s GF flour + 1½ tsp xanthan gum or 1 cup of your favorite GF flour blend + 1½ tsp xanthan gum (omit if your flour already contains it)

1½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp fresh ground pepper

2/3 cup seltzer water (I use lime flavored)

Kernels from 2 cobs of corn, about 1 1/3 cups (I use Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn)

½ cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese, plus more for garnish

Cotija cheese - crumbles easily with fork.

1 jalapeno, seeded & finely diced or about 1 tbsp finely diced canned green chilis or 1 poblano pepper, seeded & finely diced (jalapenos are a little spicy, so if that’s not your thing, the other options are milder)

1 tbsp thinly sliced chives, plus more for garnish

4 tbsp butter, divided into 1 tbsp chunks

Honey for drizzling

Whisk together in mixing bowl flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, salt, & pepper. Pour seltzer water in & whisk together until well blended (it will be quite thick).

Fold in corn, cheese, pepper & chives.

Melt 1 tbsp butter in cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Scoop about ¼ cup size of mixture into hot skillet & flatten slightly. (I did 4 at a time in a large skillet) Fry for about 4 minutes on each side – until golden brown & crisp.

Remove from heat & season with salt & pepper.

Repeat with more butter & mixture. You should get about 12 cakes.

Serve drizzled with honey & sprinkled with crumbled cheese & chopped chives.

Notes:

This recipe is adapted from https://www.spoonforkbacon.com. Thanks Teri & Jenny!

These are great as an appetizer, but can also work as a side dish.

The original recipe calls for queso fresco, but cotija works well. Cotija is a little drier than queso fresco, so if your cakes are not sticking together, maybe add a little more seltzer – but just a few drops at a time.

You can make these ahead of time & keep in refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper or lightly sprayed with GF baking spray. Heat at 375° for 5-6 minutes, then flip & heat another 2-3 minutes.