Smoky Venezuelan Cachapas with Plantain Syrup

Name: Smoky Venezuelan Cachapas with Plantain Syrup
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 3 cups fresh corn kernels, scraped from the cob; 1 cup cornmeal; 1/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup milk; 2 large eggs; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/4 cup melted butter; Vegetable oil for cooking; 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup water; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp cinnamon; A pinch of salt

Sweet Corn Pancakes with a Tropical Twist

These delicious cachapas are Venezuelan sweet corn pancakes drizzled with a rich plantain syrup for the ultimate sweet and savory delight.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Cachapas

3 cups fresh corn kernels, scraped from the cob

1 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 large eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup melted butter

Vegetable oil for cooking

For the Plantain Syrup

2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp cinnamon

A pinch of salt

Preparation

Preparing the Cachapas Mixture

Blend the base

Blend the corn kernels with milk until smooth.

Combine dry ingredients

Transfer the blend to a mixing bowl and add cornmeal, sugar, eggs, salt, and baking powder.

Add melted butter

Stir in melted butter until the mixture is well combined.

Ensure the cachapa mixture is not too runny; adjust with cornmeal if needed.

Making the Plantain Syrup

Combine ingredients

In a saucepan, combine plantain slices, brown sugar, and water.

Simmer gently

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

The longer the syrup simmers, the richer the flavor becomes.

Finish syrup

Cook until the plantains are soft, then add vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Continue to cook until thickened.

Cooking Process

Cooking the Cachapas

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of vegetable oil, and pour about 1/4 cup of mixture for each pancake. Cook until golden on both sides.

Syrup Reduction

Reduce the syrup over low heat until thick and glossy.

Combining Flavors

Drizzle syrup over cooked cachapas before serving.

Plating & Serving