Monday, November 12, 2012

Whole Wheat Pancakes and "The Sweet Spot"

by Leslie




I've made pancakes quite a few times.  I'm no pro, but I think pancakes and I get each other.  I think they are a wonder of stovetop "baking" and I am surprised with how quickly they come together every time.

But have you ever had those times where no matter what you do, the pancakes don't turn out right?  They are either uncooked in the center or totally burnt on the outside.  This happens to me about every third time I make pancakes.  Why does this happen?

Because I can't seem to find "the sweet spot" on my stove.  I know there is a magical temperature on my stove that produces perfect pancakes, but sometimes I just never get there.

I find that this happens throughout my day, as well.  Once I get into a good rhythm, I can get lots accomplished.  If I never find that rhythm, though, watch out.  I will leave a pile of books to shelve at the library, dishes in my kitchen sink, and will have a hard time making polite conversation with almost anyone.

For these pancakes, though, I found the sweet spot.  They turned out so well and were just what the doctor ordered.  Let's hope I can replicate their perfection.


Whole-Wheat Pancakes with Easy Strawberry Sauce
Adapted from Ellie Krieger's recipe in The Food You Crave

Serves 4

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cooking spray
Strawberry Sauce (below)

1. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, buttermilk, milk, vanilla, and honey.

2.  Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and pre-heat over medium heat.  Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and mix only until combined.

3.  Once the skillet is heated, add your pancake batter to the pan, about 1/4 cup at a time, depending on the size of pancakes you want.  I usually go larger!  Cook until the sides are bubbling, and then gently flip over.  Continue until all the batter is used up!

Strawberry Sauce
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. 

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan on the stove and cook over low heat until bubbling.  Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher until strawberries reach desired consistency.  If you feel like using your food processor, you could blend up the berries in there.  I take the easy way out.  Serve the strawberry sauce over warm pancakes and enjoy!


Monday, November 12, 2012

Whole Wheat Pancakes and "The Sweet Spot"

by Leslie




I've made pancakes quite a few times.  I'm no pro, but I think pancakes and I get each other.  I think they are a wonder of stovetop "baking" and I am surprised with how quickly they come together every time.

But have you ever had those times where no matter what you do, the pancakes don't turn out right?  They are either uncooked in the center or totally burnt on the outside.  This happens to me about every third time I make pancakes.  Why does this happen?

Because I can't seem to find "the sweet spot" on my stove.  I know there is a magical temperature on my stove that produces perfect pancakes, but sometimes I just never get there.

I find that this happens throughout my day, as well.  Once I get into a good rhythm, I can get lots accomplished.  If I never find that rhythm, though, watch out.  I will leave a pile of books to shelve at the library, dishes in my kitchen sink, and will have a hard time making polite conversation with almost anyone.

For these pancakes, though, I found the sweet spot.  They turned out so well and were just what the doctor ordered.  Let's hope I can replicate their perfection.


Whole-Wheat Pancakes with Easy Strawberry Sauce
Adapted from Ellie Krieger's recipe in The Food You Crave

Serves 4

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Cooking spray
Strawberry Sauce (below)

1. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, buttermilk, milk, vanilla, and honey.

2.  Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and pre-heat over medium heat.  Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and mix only until combined.

3.  Once the skillet is heated, add your pancake batter to the pan, about 1/4 cup at a time, depending on the size of pancakes you want.  I usually go larger!  Cook until the sides are bubbling, and then gently flip over.  Continue until all the batter is used up!

Strawberry Sauce
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
a squeeze of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. 

Place all ingredients in a small saucepan on the stove and cook over low heat until bubbling.  Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher until strawberries reach desired consistency.  If you feel like using your food processor, you could blend up the berries in there.  I take the easy way out.  Serve the strawberry sauce over warm pancakes and enjoy!