Pancakes

I have a small confession - I don't really like pancakes. I prefer waffles. I love the way the little squares cradle the maple syrup. I love that they're crispy. I love that they can be a breakfast food, or a dessert basis with a beautiful scoop of homemade ice cream on top and bathed in a mixed berry compote. Ahhh waffles... So why am I making pancakes? My husband. He loves them. I want to love them, but to me they're just the ugly stepchild of the waffle. I just don't get them, they're usually tasteless, doughy, soggy blah, blah, blah.

I love the possibility of a relaxed weekend morning reading the paper, having a delicious breakfast together and maybe a good conversation - then I get all deflated when Doug suggests pancakes. Umm, OK. (I guess I don't hate them too much, because somehow I manage to eat them, but they're NOT WAFFLES.)

This morning was different - I suggested pancakes because I had spied a recipe in the May issue of Everyday Food (Martha Stewart) for oatmeal and cinnamon pancakes that sounded like I might like them. I am constantly on the lookout for THE pancake recipe that I would crave, that I would be totally happy with instead of my true favourite.

Did I find it today?

Let's find out.

You process the dry ingredients.

Whisk the wet.

Combine the dry into the wet.

Portion onto a hot griddle

Throw on some blueberries. (not called for in original recipe, but I think they need something)

Flip.

Serve with maple syrup and butter.

AND???

Well they're good! VERY hearty and substantial. They have a nice toothsome bite to them and are by no means wimpy.

What I would change: I would make a blueberry sauce for them rather than just sprinkling on the one side, or mix more blueberries into the batter itself. I would have made smaller pancakes because they are very filling. I would have added more cinnamon, or maybe make the fruit sauce with some cinnamon and nutmeg. Sauteed apples would be delicious too.

Would I make these again? Yes.


Is this THE recipe? Maybe - I'll have to try all my suggestions and see - but it's pretty close.

Process:
2 C flour
1/4 C brown sugar
1 T baking powder
1 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1 c old fashioned oats

Whisk together:
2eggs
2 C milk
1/4 C oil

add dry to wet ingredients and also add 1 C more of old fashioned oats.
Stir just until everything is moistened, then portion (2-3 T) onto hot griddle or fry pan. Cook until a few bubbles have burst then flip over and cook until browned on the underside.

The magazine suggests you cook all of the batter and freeze the pancakes you don't eat in a plastic bag for later. You can then heat the pancakes up in the toaster and voila a quick pancake breakfast.

Check out Magazine Mondays at Ivonne's beautiful blog - you'll be glad you did!