There has always been a dispute about the origin of the Johnnycake name. Whatever the true origin, in the 1940's the Rhode Island legislature passed a law legislating the proper ingredients and proper procedure for preparing Johnnycakes. Indian Pudding is a cornmeal and molasses, oven-steamed dessert originating in New England. It is probably the most famous New England dessert. This rich-looking dessert can be served hot or cold, served with sliced fruit or ice cream and is a good way to use molasses in cooking.
Indian pudding can also be a sweet breakfast meal in a bowl, served with hot milk and fruit.
Carb-loading is nothing new. The New England settlers would make a breakfast of popcorn, Johnnycake and Indian pudding. When they weren't popping it or pouring it on a griddle, New Englanders were adding corn to their famous chowders. Most New Englanders must not have read the book because corn chowders were made almost as often as fish chowders. This tradition continues today.