Thursday, February 7, 2013

Buttermilk Pancakes Like Your Grandma Made

Pancakes Like Your Grandmother made

Eating at Grandma Bush's was a challenge. Especially during family events. There were a lot of us to feed. She was a great cook. And yes, there was plenty of it. But if you wanted something, you better get it quick. And don't reach for it with your hands. Unless you don't mind getting stuck with a fork.

Breakfast Was Different Though

There wasn't as many people around. They were still sleeping. But since I had a morning paper route, I always got up early. And since she was grandma, so did she. It was her job. She wanted to make sure everyone got off to a good start. Regardless of what time they got up.

It Was Always The Same Menu

Coffee, grits, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and fatback bacon. BTW, I could write a completely different blog about fatback bacon. If you don't know what it is, you haven't truly lived. But this recipe is for pancakes, so I'll get back on track.

Getting There Before Everyone Else

Since it was a farm, the eggs were always fresh. Since I got there early, my job was to go gather them from the henhouse. I didn't like stepping on the little red clay pebbles. And I especially didn't like going inside the 'big' henhouse. You had to step on, lean over, look at, and smell...chicken poop everywhere. I wouldn't have done it if it I didn't get paid well. But the pay was excellent. Grandma would make me a couple of pancakes while we waited for everyone else. And that made it worth it.

Doesn't Matter What You Call Them

Whether your family calls them hotcakes, flapjacks, griddle cakes, Johnny cakes, or plain old pancakes, they all have a special place on the American breakfast table. I'm sure others can tell the same story I just did. They may not have lived on a farm. Maybe they had to go out to the road to get the newspaper, milk, or mail. But the pancake reward would be a part of many of those stories. Maybe it's time for you to make your own memories. So here are a a few helpful hints will ensure a fluffy, golden stack anytime you need them.

Best Buttermilk Pancakes

This recipe makes nine 6-inch pancakes. You can make them bigger or smaller. Whatever floats your proverbial boat. Just don't mess with the ingredients much. It's not often than I include measurements in my recipes...so it must be important. The key to fluffy pancakes is not to overmix the batter; it should not be beaten smooth. If serving these pancakes with bacon, reserve half a teaspoon of bacon drippings to grease the griddle instead of butter.

Ingredients For What Will Become Your Favorite Pancakes

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 large eggs , lightly beaten
  • 3 cups buttermilk
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted, plus 1/2 teaspoon for griddle1.

Directions To Keep You From Messing Up

  1. Heat griddle to 375°. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and 4 tablespoons butter; whisk to combine. Batter should have small to medium lumps.
  2. Heat oven to 175°. Test griddle by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If water bounces and spatters off griddle, it is hot enough. Using a pastry brush, brush remaining 1/2 teaspoon of butter or reserved bacon fat onto griddle. Wipe off excess.
  3. Using a 4-ounce ladle, about 1/2 cup, pour pancake batter, in pools 2 inches away from one other. When pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over. Cook until golden on bottom, about 1 minute.
  4. Repeat with remaining batter, keeping finished pancakes on a heatproof plate in oven. Serve warm.

Rinse And Repeat

Print this, write it down, or memorize it. But use this recipe over and over again. If you think that there's too much sugar.. reduce it. Too much salt? Put less in. The point is, you can scour the internet as much as you want... but 95% of them will have these exact same ingredients. They may vary in measurements, but the ingredients remain. There are some "Quick Pancake" recipes that don't include buttermilk. There are some that don't include eggs. If you're going to do those, save yourself some time. Just go buy some Bisquick or Aunt Jemima mix. Nobody is going to complain, and they will taste pretty good.  But the thing about this recipe is, it's probably what your Grandma used. She might have adjusted it some for her family. But this is the recipe that YOUR kids will be calling "Grandma/pa's recipe'.  And that's worth it isn't it! :-) 


About Potato Chip Sandwich

According to some people, men can't tell time, can't follow directions and can't cook. That's simply not true. The owner and author of the site, me..  can cook. This site is simply a way for me to keep up with my recipes without putting it into my other 10 or so blogs. Everything is Google-ized, so it's connected to all my other stuff. I suggests you try the BBQ. This site gets it's name from road trips when I was in my 20's. By the time we would head home...all we could afford was a loaf of bread and some potato chips.

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