1/2 cups of boiling water into the cornmeal mixture while stirring with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula. The mixture will thicken quickly and should come together into a soft, thick batter that you can scoop and gently shape. If it looks dry or crumbly, add more boiling water 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture holds together and feels moist but not runny.
Let the batter rest for 3–5 minutes. This brief rest allows the cornmeal to hydrate so the centers cook up soft instead of gritty.
