Maize flour

[stuartlikesstrudel]

Hey all,

I recently bought some "Maize flour" when I was at a shop with heaps of different types... I was hoping it might be an alternative name for Masa Harina, which I haven't been able to find here in Melbourne. However, it appears that it's not.

I haven't got a photo to attach for now, but it's a yellow-ish flour, not grains like polenta but fully ground to flour texture (smooth, soft). I don't think it's the same Cornflour as the white one we buy as a thickener, because this one is different in color and, since it was with other flours, I'm guessing it's used like a regular flour in some way. But this is just speculation I guess.

Anyone know what this might be useful for? Special recipes or suggestions would be great. I am mighty confused!

[Chris Amirault]

Sounds like it's, well, corn flour, which in the US is finely ground dried corn. (Here, we call the stuff you're calling "cornflour" corn starch, bc it's the white powdered starch extracted through milling corn. Nomenclature...!)

We have it around the house as a staple for corn breads, coating for fried items, pancakes, and other items.

[stuartlikesstrudel]

Ah, the clarificaction r.e corn STARCH is helpful. Makes sense.

Thanks for that.

Sounds like I'll have to make some corn bread... not common here in Aus but i've always been keen to try it

[Beth Wilson]

If you do a search for gluten free recipes there are some that call for corn flour.

[Lisa Shock]

It's also good for making hushpuppies.

[Tri2Cook]

It's nice for making dessert cakes with a corn flavor because it doesn't have the texture of cornmeal that makes people instantly think of corn bread. Some corn juice (aka "milk") worked into the recipe along with the flour is even better. Add some blueberry or blackberry components to go with it and watch everybody smile.