Johhny Cakes with Rhubard and Cherries

2 thick stalks ruby red rhubarb, sliced on the bias (about 2 cups/200 g)

7 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup, plus more for serving One 24-oz (680-g) jar pitted sour cherries, in syrup or juices

 

1 cup (140 g) fine to medium cornmeal

1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour or (155 g) gluten-free flour

1 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp fine sea salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/3 cups (320 ml) buttermilk

4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for cooking

Plain yogurt, for serving

 

Combine the rhubarb and maple syrup in a medium pot with a tight-fitting lid. Cook over medium-low heat until the syrup bubbles just slightly and the rhubarb is steaming, but not breaking down, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let the rhubarb sit in the syrup until it softens but is still holding its shape and bright red in color. Toss with the cherries and just enough of the cherry juices to turn the syrup red, but still leave it thick enough to drizzle with a spoon (1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cherry syrup); set aside.

 

Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter. Add to the dry ingredients and mix together until the batter resembles a loose muffin batter, being careful not to overmix; you want to keep these pancakes light and airy. Preheat a cast-iron griddle or skillet over medium heat until evenly warm. Add a knob (about 2 Tbsp) of butter to coat the surface. (Cooking in butter makes golden, gorgeous pancakes.) When the butter sizzles, drop batter in 1/3 cupfuls (80 ml) onto the skillet, leaving 2 inches (5 cm) between them, and cook until just starting to bubble around the edges. Flip (it should release easily from the griddle) and cook until just done, usually 1 to 2 minutes. You don’t want these to cook fully through, which can make them taste dry. Pull them a second before you think they are ready; the batter will continue to steam and set inside on their way to the plate. Repeat until all the batter is used. Serve the pancakes warm, topped with yogurt and the rhubarb and cherries, and drizzled with any extra juices.