What do they have in common?

Yep, you guessed right – (almost) every country has staked a claim!

See when it comes to pancakes, we’re talking about a kind of free for all – ‘First come, First served’ type thing! Is there any country on earth that doesn’t have some version of whisked/mixed batter fried or baked? I don’t think so. Just like the gold rushes.

From Crepes in Paris…dressed with everything from Nutella to Creme de Marrons (chestnut puree),

 …to Poffertjes in the Netherlands, smothered in butter and covered with icing (confectioner’s) sugar,  there’s every variation you can think of, under the sun. Pikelets, Blinis, Dosas…are only a few to mention!

   Even the gold diggers ate a variety of ‘primitive pancakes’.

According to Wikipedia:

Sourdough was used by prospectors and pioneers to make sourdough pancakes without having to purchase yeast. Prospectors would carry a pot of sourdough to make pancakes and bread as it could last indefinitely, needing only flour and water to replenish it. Sourdough pancakes are now a particular specialty in Alaska. Vermont pancakes usually have oatmeal or buckwheat flour added to the wheat flour, and require more baking powder to rise. The texture is coarser and the flavor more intense. The pancakes are served with maple syrup.

The pancakes are similar, yet so different. From the type of flour used – everything from regular wheat flour to buckwheat (the stuff soba noodles are made of) and cornmeal, rice flour, oatmeal, nut meals, ground seeds; the predominant flavour – sweet or savoury; Added raising agents – baking powder and baking soda to yeast and sweet wine/beer to the size and how it is served!

In the Netherlands, pannenkoken are ‘large’, some as large as wagon wheels. But these same Dutchmen have their poffertjes. Scotch pancakes or drop-scones and pikelets are small in size…but delicious nevertheless. Vietnamese pancakes are sometimes folded…like calazones. I could go on and on and on!

History done, this is how we, in our family…. have ours! Because I am constantly striving to ‘feed’ the kindjes a variety of foods, I make sure when we have pancakes, its almost buffet style. It generally consists of 5 main elements:

1) The pancakes themselves – almost always made with wholewheat flour (except if I run out…and I try not to); sometimes ‘texturised’ with chopped nuts

2) Some protein, which tend to be sausages and bacon;

3) Dairy – Yogurt or Creme Fraiche commonly;

4) Fruits – whatever is in season but most commonly – bananas, apples, strawberries or all 3;

5) Syrups – #2 and I go for Maple (my husband screams it is too expensive, especially at the rate #2 ‘drinks’ it. I think a move to Canada is very well in order); Hubby and #1 go for caramel syrup and #3 says ‘chuga’ (sugar)- he’s learning to talk!

Essentially, that’s the basic composition for the pancake buffet. Jazzing up ideas will come later.

We have them for breakfast…though strictly speaking we shouldn’t…according to the Dutch, who never eat pancakes for breakfast (and scorn those who do!) I remember a conversation that went like this recently:

Me – ‘Do you ever eat pancakes for breakfast?’

Dutchman – ‘Me? Never. ….Only when I’m in America, but in Holland, never!’

Was I shocked? Yes. Does that affect when we have pancakes in our home? 🙂 Never!

I always do my best to use wholewheat flour. Why? It just tastes better (to me). There’s something intensely satisfying about being nourished with tasty, nutty, healthy foods made of whole grains. However, when I first started making pancakes, I would put all the ingredients in the bowl at the same time and just mix to desired smoothness. But I noticed that my pancakes just weren’t cutting it – they were quite crumbly and soft, till I saw a friend do it different.

First the eggs were whisked in a bowl and the milk added (and yogurt/buttermilk), then whisked again. A pinch of salt and flavourings (vanilla, cinnamon) are thrown in, followed by flour and baking powder, bran and nuts if using. This resulted in wholegrain pancakes with a better structure….and less crumbling!

Now, just like wholegrain waffle batter, it is important to let the mixture ‘rest’ for 10-15 minutes to let the grains absorb the liquids and ‘rest’. The aim here – a smoother, fluffier pancake, which cooks well and tastes great!

Now, we all love pancakes so when we sit down to eat, we work our way through a healthy stack. I really hate to stand for hours flipping one pancake after the other so when I want to make a stack…to conserve energy and honour my ‘cook-in-bulk green kitchen tip’, I use 3 pans! Saves me time and energy: imagine making a whole batch of pancakes in a third of the time, plus you don’t really have to do any rewarming since they stack well and preserve the heat without going soggy (unlike waffles)!

The batter is fairly easy to cook but you have to know the signs of ‘doneness’! Nice little bubbles, sometimes a glossy centre with a matte rim…. you can always lift the edge up to check the degree of brownness.

  And when it is ready, without further ado, out come the syrups,

and the toppings…..from the fruit

to the protein….

No barriers, no limits, no disturbances.

Just good food. Plain and simple….No holds barred is how I like to think of it!

Pancake recipe

Makes between 16 and 20 pancakes

Ingredients

4 eggs, whisked

2 cups of milk (or 1 cup milk, I cup yoghurt or buttermilk) To be honest, I’ve also used all yoghurt, creme fraiche….on days I run out of milk!

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/2  teaspoon vanilla powder or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, optional

2 cups wholewheat flour (or 1 1/2 cup wholewheat flour, 1/2 cup oats or oat bran, nut meal etc)

2 teaspoons baking powder

handful chopped nuts, optional

PS: if you’re looking for the sugar, I don’t put any in! No one in my family eats pancakes on their own…they always drizzle some syrup on so rather than have 2 sources of sugar, we make do with one

How to

In a large bowl, whisk eggs

Add milk (and yoghurt), mix well to combine

Add salt and flavourings to the mix if using, whisk again

Slowly whisk in the flour and baking powder

Add chopped nuts if you like

Leave batter to rest – in the refigerator or on your counter for 10 minutes. I’ve found that if I leave my batter for too long, I end up with super-soft pancakes, which aren’t welcome in this home, except maybe by my son…. so watch this/experiment. You may have a different result!

Once batter is ready, heat 3 pans up till hot, on medium to low heat before greasing. I use an oil spray or a brush dipped in oil to coat my pans . (Adjust batter to your needs: want thinner pancakes, add some milk, want thicker ones…just add flour)

Ladle in the pancake mix, ensuring that the heat is on medium – low so you don’t burn the pancakes.

Let the pancakes cook on the first side for 2-3 minutes until the edges begin to bubble…and turn somewhat lacy. You’ll also notice the change in the pancakes surface from wet and shiny to dry. Flip the pancakes and let the underside cook for another minute. This always makes me laugh to see one side cooking for longer than the other!

If your timings and mine are different, worry not. The aim is to have ‘cooked’ pancakes on boh sides so do your best to accomplish that!

Repeat till all your batter is used up and serve, lovingly…with peace and joy.

And while this is hardly a stack (blame the kids who can’t wait till its all done)…it gives you an idea!

Leftovers freeze beautifully (I should know, I took a stack to Rome!), keep well for at least a week in the Fridge, can be transformed by stuffing, quesadilla’ing…and more!

To make a pancake quesadilla, you’ll need a pan, some pancakes (you can use them straight from the fridge) some cheese and meats like ham, chicken, turkey – use your imagination.

Prepare your fillings in readiness. Heat a pan (in my case a griddle, though a regular frying pan is good too).

Place one pancake down and let it brown a bit, about a minute or so, then place ham and cheese on. Put the second pancake to cover the filling and then flip over and let the otherside warm up as well = another minute or two. Slide of unto a plate and cut into wedges. Great as appetisers, for brunch – I’m sure you can think of many more ways to use it!

 A ball of vanilla icecream, some caramel…., nutella and peanut butter! It is an endless list. Lunchboxes, Quick dinners, Family meals – the choice is yours!