History

Blue corn is a heritage grain cultivated by the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico for centuries before European contact. The grain produces a sweet, earthy flour with a slate-blue hue. Pueblo Harvest Cafe at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center serves blue corn pancakes and enchiladas. Cocina Azul on Mountain Road built its name around blue corn enchiladas, and the heritage grain is canon at the heritage New Mexican counters.

Common allergens: Dairy

Make it at home

Yield Makes 12 small pancakesHands-on 15 minTotal 25 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 150g blue corn meal (fine)
  • 100g all purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 350ml buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 60g melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

  1. Whisk the blue corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
  2. In a second bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, melted butter and vanilla.
  3. Pour wet into dry and mix gently. Some lumps are fine. Rest the batter 5 minutes.
  4. Heat a non stick pan over medium and add a touch of butter or oil.
  5. Pour 60ml batter circles. Cook 2 minutes until bubbles set on top. Flip and cook 1 more minute.
  6. Serve hot with maple syrup or local honey and salted butter.

Tip from the editors. Find blue corn meal at the Albuquerque farmers markets or via mail order from Bueno Foods. The color reads navy or slate blue, not bright.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat blue corn dishes

Blue corn dishes in Albuquerque

Pueblo Harvest Cafe ★ 4.4

downtownTue-Sun 09:00-16:00; closed Mon

Pueblo Harvest Cafe at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th Street in Albuquerque is the only modern Pueblo Indian restaurant, missed by museum skippers.

Why locals love it: Inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center museum, missed by most visitors but the only modern Pueblo Indian restaurant in the city.

Tip: Visit at lunch when the Pueblo dancing performances run on the courtyard, then order the buffalo posole and Indian taco.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Range Cafe Albuquerque ★ 4.3

New Mexican brunch$13-22northeast-heightsDaily 07:00-21:00Walk in only

Range Cafe on Wyoming Boulevard in Albuquerque is the local New Mexican brunch chain anchored by the original Bernalillo room.

Order: Huevos rancheros with green chile and the death by lemon cake

4401 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111

More cities are in research. Want blue corn dishes covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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