Gluten-Free Orange Scented Cornmeal Hotcakes
makes 4 big cakes, recipe can be doubled w/out adjustments
(can be made vegan, but you wont get to eat butter)

ingredients:
1 cup yellow plain cornmeal
a little under 1/2 cup of masa de harina*
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup melted butter (1/2 stick) sub canola oil for vegan
1 1/3 cup whole milk sub unsweetened soy/almond/rice milk for vegan
2 tsp orange extract
zest of 1/2 orange, grated
butter/oil for cooking

method:
Combine dry ingredients (cornmeal, masa de harina, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder) and mix well
In a separate bowl whisk melted butter, milk, orange extract, and zest.
Add to dry mix and whisk until smooth, let it sit for a few minutes**
Heat pancake griddle to 375deg. or a large non-stick pan to med/high heat
Melt some butter on that bad boy, and put about 1/3 cup of batter per pancake
Use the cup measurer to tap around the batter to make a circle
Cook until you can see dark brown on the bottom edges of the cake (is important to get it nice and crispy) then flip.
Cook for another 45 sec to minute and serve hot with butter and maple syrup. ( I put strawberry preserves on mine and it was very good)

notes:
*masa de harina is a special type of corn flour used to make corn tortillas. It is available in Mexican grocery stores and most conventional grocers. The common brand is Masa Brosa: Harina de Maiz. It is in a orange bag.
**The batter will thicken up while it sits, this is good. Just tap it around when putting the griddle to make the circle shape. If for some reason it gets too thick or gloppy, add a little milk and whisk well.