I don’t know who doesn’t like pancakes. A warm and simple meal that can be dressed up or down, pancakes can be eaten at times other than breakfast. One of my children’s favorite meals was “breakfast for dinner”; pancakes with something unique inside of them, along with eggs, & bacon, m-m-m delightful!
In Germany, pancakes are made with potatoes, and in France they are called crepes. In the US pancakes can also be known as hotcakes, griddle cakes or flap-jacks. There is even a “Pancake Day”, which falls before the beginning of Lent, as practiced in many countries and the US.
If it has been awhile since you have eaten this meal, go ahead and experiment with one of the recipes below. And remember that you don’t have to wait for breakfast!
1. Basic Pancakes Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk 1 1/4 cups milk, 1/2 stick melted butter,2 eggs and a little vanilla, then whisk into the flour mixture until just combined. Ladle 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot buttered skillet and cook until bubbly. Flip and cook until golden on the bottom.
2. Blueberry Pancakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1); sprinkle with blueberries before flipping.
3. Chocolate-Chip Pancakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1); sprinkle with chocolate chips
before flipping.
4. Whole-Wheat Pancakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with 3/4 cup each all-purpose and whole-wheat flour. Top with chopped almonds and berries.
5. Corn Cakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with just 1/2 cup flour; add 1 cup yellow cornmeal with the flour. Top with honey.
6. Blue Corn Cakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with just 1/2 cup flour; add 1 cup blue cornmeal with the flour. Top with dried apricots warmed in honey.
7. Oat Pancakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with just 3/4 cup flour; add 1/2 cup ground oats and 1/4 cup wheat germ with the flour.
8. Lemon-Strawberry Cakes Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with just 1/2 cup milk. Add 1 cup cottage cheese and 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest with the milk. Top with strawberries and honey.
9. Blini Make Basic Pancakes (No. 1) with 3/4 cup each all-purpose and buckwheat flour; omit the butter. Cook by tablespoonfuls. Serve with sour cream, smoked salmon and chives.
10. Berry-Topped Pancakes Toss 3 cups mixed berries with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; let sit while you make Basic Pancakes (No. 1). Top the pancakes with the berries and their juices.
