Pancakes and Saturday Mornings...

Just look at all those delightful bubbles that tell me it's time to flip! 

There are exactly three breakfast items that are absolute in our house. They are: Waffles, Biscuits, and Pancakes. Without fail, every Saturday morning, we will have waffles, biscuits or pancakes. If you look in my recipe binder, the first three recipes are: waffles, biscuits and pancakes.(P.S. How many times can I say that in one post...anyone?) It's a tradition that Micah and I started well over 7 years ago. When it was just the two of us, we would get up and go straight to a local place for breakfast. Then, kids came(one a year for three years!)and all the fun and sometimes, not so fun stuff that comes with it. So, we improvised. Breakfast at home. It has become so special to us and the kids. If we don't cook on a Saturday, the kids will let you  know you forgot. Even if it hits them on the way to church the next day. Trust me, they will not let you forget it. Ever! 

Saturday morning cartoons and pancakes with a side of bacon....Every kid and adults dream come true! 

It's so easy to make. Don't let "homemade" recipes scare you. Don't, just don't. Boldly plug in that griddle, grab your spatula and dare to make the best pancake ever. Do it. OK, I'm done being bossy...but just for a minute. Mine are not all perfectly uniform circles. They just aren't. They don't have to be. Trust me, no one will worry about how they look when they eat them. Unless, you're my {almost} 4 year old who told me they were funny looking and "weird". This was after he woke up and said," Hey, can you make me a cake?" Seriously?  Use a little butter{not margarine...for Pete's sake! Unless you have to, then fine do it!}, add a little syrup, or a lot if you prefer. Or if you want to be healthy, add some lightly sweetened whipped cream and berries.{ Do me a favor, will ya? Please splurge and buy heavy whipping cream, add a little confectioner sugar(a couple of tablespoons) and beat the mess out of it, in a stand mixer,  until it turns to whipped cream. You won't be angry at me. I promise.}  This is actually my new favorite way to eat waffles...but that's another post! So make you're own traditions. Get up and make breakfast. It's fun, cheaper than a restaurant, and so much better than cereal could ever be!

Pancakes( adapted from Food Network Kitchens)

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon(optional){it gives it a wonderful, comforting taste whichever you use}
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 1/4 cups milk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 to 1 stick of butter if you wish to butter the pancakes when they are hot and come right off the griddle

Directions:

 In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg/cinnamon.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and whisk in the milk and vanilla.
Melt butter in microwave about 30 seconds.(depending on your microwave)
Whisk the butter into the milk mixture. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Put the whisk away and use a wooden spoon or spatula. Mix until a thick batter is just formed. {If it's too thick for you, you can add a little milk. If it's too thin, you can add a little more flour until the desired consistency.}
Set your griddle to 350 degrees or about medium heat, if you don't have a temperature dial.
You can either use butter to grease up your griddle or you can use a non-stick cooking spray. Either way, spray or spread the griddle with the oil/butter so your pretty pancakes don't stick!
Ladle a 1/4 cup of the batter on the griddle. I can usually put about 6 on my griddle. Let them cook until you see many bubbles form on the top. Take your spatula and flip it and cook about 1-2 minutes longer on the other side.(If you want it darker, cook longer. If you want it a little lighter cook closer to a minute.)
Take the homemade pancakes off the griddle, slather with butter.(or fruit and whipped cream) and serve warm with a side of bacon.(Turkey bacon works just fine.) 

Until next time, eat a pancake, (And I mean this in the most nicest way ever!),

JESSICA