Don't Sweat The Pancakes

Finally, the kind of pancake that i always crave for and buy in pastry shops or even fast food chains can now "rise" in my very own pan. Thanks to Nigella Lawson of Food Network, there is no need for me to buy that batter-in-a-box just in case my morning mood calls for a fluffy pancake.

I remember picking up that box of ready-to-whip-and-cook pancake batter in the grocery store and secretly place it in my mother's cart when i was a child. When we get home, she would wonder how in the world did that box get into her grocery bag. Anyhow, i diligently followed the instructions in the box, but did not come up up with the ones that look like the picture in the box. Years pass, i learned to bake cakes and bread but i was still not able to make beautiful and tasty pancakes. All my attempts produce the kind that i saw being sold by vendors outside the gate of my grade school: flat and greasy, though mine was not that yellow! I stopped trying, but i continued buying the ready to cook ones (still always coming up with the same result, and it doesn't taste as good as the ones being served in restaurants.) Until one day, i saw how Nigella Lawson whip up that batter and made the pancakes, all fluffy (just like that picture in the box!) in 5 minutes. I thought the show was edited or something, but i tried it in my kitchen and it worked! Later on, i kept on improvising and came up with my very own fluffy, a bit crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sinfully yummy and looks picture perfect too. :)

Pancake Batter:
1 cup flour
2 tbsps. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. yeast
1 large egg (2 if small)

1 1/4 cup milk

2 tbsps. vegetable or corn oil (not melted butter)

Sift and mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the center. Beat in egg, followed by the milk. Mix well but don't over beat. Blend in the oil until batter is smooth. Leave in the ref overnight (this tip is from my husband, Tarek who once worked as a Catering Supervisor and got this idea from an Italian pastry chef.)

Grease frying pan and heat, medium low. Pour in about half a soup ladle of batter into the pan. Turn upside down when bubbles begin to appear and the sides are brown.

Top with butter and honey or marmalade while still hot. (You may use Karo syrup instead of honey or marmalade.)

My own twist: i put cinnamon or nutmeg in the batter, and use homemade strawberry marmalade for topping. And when i cook the pancakes, i hum any happy tune in mind.