Pancetta and Corn Griddle Cakes with Red Pepper Onion Jam

This dish needs no introduction. The title alone says it all- delicious! Crispy salty bites of pancetta mixed with chives, cheese and roasted corn in the form of a pancake is simply IT! The IT you can’t live without, the IT you must make and the IT that will sweep you off your feet. You see I have never met anyone who doesn’t love a good pancake and by taking the standard pancake mix and pulling out a little things here-adding a little things there and with the glory of substitution – I will never meet anyone who doesn’t love a chunky thick flavorful griddle cake such as this! It gets me exited.

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With the ingredients of this recipe in mind it’s about time I explain or update you all with my latest health issues. Firsts let me say you are all so kind and sweet! Your comforting emails mean the world to me and I appreciate you more than you know! Back in January I reluctantly told you all about my recent diagnosis with celiac. Well, with more tests done after that- two of which were positive and another negative- the doctor is not sure it’s celiac. I just don’t understand it all and it’s driving me insane. We still don’t have an exact answer to what’s you going on. With that said I am positive and hopeful but anxious to at least get some answer SOON!. Sooo… Because of all of this I can technically eat gluten because there are certain tests that you need to have gluten in your system in order for the test to be accurate. Therefore, lately I have continued to eat gluten conscious diet allowing gluten into my body but not to the extent as I have all my life. I allow gluten to be int diet for the important things- aka cookies, cake, muffins and yes- griddle cakes! Lol! They are that good!

Even if all these tests result in a different diagnosis than celiac I already feel as if I have been inducted into the gf lifestyle and I do not mind it at all. In fact I like a lot of the aspects of it and plan to live as gluten free as possible for the rest of my life- regardless of the test results. One thing I do know for sure- I will continue to remain true to myself and in passion for cooking any and all dishes!

Happy Easter from Grant and Connor! We made these adorable edible carrot garden treats the other day and it was so much fun! I hope you and your kids will try this edible Easter Craft out! You can find the directions at Belleicious Kids!

Pancetta and Corn Griddle Cakes with Red Pepper Onion Jam
 
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces of smoked Pancetta
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • ½ cup favorite cheese (we use Mexican Cheese or Pepper Jack)
  • ⅔ cup milk
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup roasted corn or canned corn charred over medium to low heat
  • For the Red Pepper Onion Jam: (adapted from Food Network)
  • For the Jam:
  • ¼ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 4 large red onions, halved, peeled, and diced
  • 1 Jalapeno Pepper, Diced
  • 1 tsp salt and pepper each
  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • Gastrique: (AKA sweet sauce)
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • Juice and a few grates of zest from 1 lemon
Instructions
  1. Warm 2 TBSP olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pan with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Set Aside.
  2. Mix together the wet ingredients. Combine the dry ingredients then stir the wet into the dry ingredients. Add in the corn, cheese and pancetta.
  3. Heat and grease a griddle or large skillet. Pour a heaping ¼-cup of the batter onto the griddle and cook until it is golden brown- 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve with Red Pepper Onion Jam
  4. For the Jam:
  5. In a medium saute pan, heat the oil until it begins to smoke lightly. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the onions give up their liquid, 3 to 5 minutes, and then add the red wine. Lower the heat and cook the onions until the wine reduces almost completely. Leave on low heat while you prepare the gastrique.
  6. In a separate small pan, heat the honey until it begins to bubble and froth. Cook until the honey turns a light caramel color, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add the red wine vinegar, simmer for a few minutes on low heat, and then shut off the heat. Pour the honey mixture over the onions and continue cooking them over low heat until all of the juice is absorbed and the onions are a jam-like consistency, 10 to 15 minutes. If you desire, add lemon juice and zest at this point. Taste for seasoning and transfer to a bowl to cool until ready to serve

31 comments

  1. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    That onion jam has my name all over it!

  2. Erica

    gah! I so want one! I love griddle cakes. I like that you can eat them for every meal. So versatile. LOVE! The craft is cute too

  3. Eva Taylor

    I am so glad to hear it is not celiac, but I know it must be worrisome that you still don’t know what it is. I know I am neither intolerant to gluten but I still like to limit my gluten intake, it’s just better that way. You could easily make this gf if you used simple gf flour instead of white flour.

  4. Lena

    hi jessica, it’s so good to hear that it might not be celiac..i hope it’s all good news and whether you are doing gf or gluten stuffs in your blog, i know it’s all going to b good..just like this wonderful looking pancake, it sounds terrific!

  5. Gourmantine

    Hi Jessica, these test can be so annoying, but it looks like it’s moving into a good direction, great to hear it may not be celiac!

  6. Ruth

    Yum!!! Those sound amazing not to mention looks great too and I am drooling.

  7. yummychunklet

    What a tasty idea! Perfect for breakfast or dinner!

  8. ChgoJohn

    I hope the tests give you the answers you seek and they are good news, requiring little, if any changes to your diet.
    This combination of pancetta-laced griddle cakes and pepper onion jam sounds fantastic! What a breakfast!

  9. Biren @ Roti n Rice

    I hope you will find the answer in your upcoming tests. Whatever the outcome, I know you will continue to have a very tasty diet. These pancetta and corn griddle cakes looks awesome! My family would enjoy them.

  10. Natalie

    What an awesome recipe! Sounds like its full of delicious flavor!

  11. Torrie @ a place to share...

    thank you for the update jessica… i can see exactly how this would/could drive you insane. hope you get some clear answers… soon.

    but, in the meantime~ enjoy the [limited] gluten! ;).

  12. Raymund

    Wow that looks really delicious! Yum!

  13. Nami | Just One Cookbook

    Red pepper onion jam? Now that’s something I’d love to taste! I bet the pancetta and corn cakes would go perfectly with the jam… yum. And you made edible carrot garden treats? SUPER cute! You are such a good mom! 🙂

  14. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    I love the little garden and those griddle cakes are very special indeed.

  15. Bonnie

    You are correct–who could pass these up. And, that “jam” is a must try!! I do hope you get some answers soon. It must be very frustrating.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  16. Asmita

    The little edible garden looks amazing! Really cute and creative.
    I would love to dig into those griddle cakes especially with that onion pepper jam. DELICIOUS!!!

  17. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    The title got me and then the great photo makes this a dish that is impossible to ignore. Hopefully you will get a diagnosis and a good outcome soon.

  18. Pure Complex

    Your corn griddle cakes look amazing and with pancetta with it seems to put it over the top. And your little edible garden is so darn cute. I love it

  19. Melynda@OurSundayCafe

    Red Onion Jam, yes please! I can’t think of anything savory that would not be delicious on. I have never made fresh corn cakes, maybe it is time…..

  20. val

    I’m left speechless with this awesomeness!

  21. jackie @ marin mama cooks

    Hey girl! I hope you find the answers soon! It must be so frustrating not to know what exactly is wrong. I’m sure you just want to know so that you can move on. I’m a bit glad that in the meantime you can enjoy your favorite desserts. Keep me and all of us posted!

    These griddle cakes look crispy and so up my alley! I love pancetta in just about anything! Those easter garden treats are so darn adorable and look beautiful. I can’t believe that you made them up. You’re just too creative for your own good! xoxo, Jackie

  22. Jessica

    Just testing to see if comments are working now. I have been having a problem with them so bare with me:)

  23. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen

    What’s most important is how you feel and if eating gluten-free makes you feel better than that’s what counts!

  24. Helene

    Pepper Onion Jam I could eat this with anything 🙂 Looks delish!

  25. Barbara @ Barbara Bakes

    Crispy and bacony – these get my vote! Good luck with the tests.

  26. Balvinder

    Well, It can be frustrating when you don’t know what is wrong with you but if gluten free makes you feel better and the blood work is positive for celiac or gluten sensitivity then you should go for it.

    Kim these pancakes with red pepper chilli jam look amazing. I want to make some soon.

    BTW I was having difficulty in opening your email post. When ever I clicked, it said page not found but I can see half of your home page but not the posts.

  27. Geni

    Oh, these griddle cakes look totally scrumptious! I am thinking of adding these to our Tri-tip dinner tonight. It seems like they would be a wonderful side dish to our meal. Anyhow, I am sorry you haven’t had definitive answers to your health issues, and I will continue to have you in my thoughts and prayers, but your great attitude can only help you through all of this. Take care and much love—Geni

  28. nancy at good food matters

    Hi Jessica, I sincerely hope that the tests will reveal the true answers about your health. but it does sound like you do not have celiac. nonetheless, this introduction into the gluten-free world of eating shows us that it is very doable, and does not sacrifice flavor in the least. the cakes look great, and red pepper-onion jam has sooooo many terrific uses.
    cheers to you and yours, Nancy

  29. How to Compost at Home

    […] Jessica Maher‘s, from Kitchen Belleicious, Pancetta and Corn Griddle Cakes with Red Pepper Onion Jam, for example. If you try out that recipe, which is delicious by the way, you can compost the […]

  30. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen

    It’s so good to hear that it might not be celiac, What gorgeous griddle cakes, filled with corn goodness and the topping is fabulous!
    Sam

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