I hereby proclaim myself the worst pancake maker in history. I might be able to make a mean pork loin, grill you a steak or mash you some potatoes that will blow your mind, but put a box of Bisquik in my hands, and you will get what is pictured above. I don't know what it is with pancakes that always causes mine to turn out brown and misshapen. This past week, the school district Dave and I work for had a delayed opening thanks to some frozen rain. So, like any young 20somethings, we went back to bed for an hour or so, and then I cooked up some breakfast. My first pancakes always turn out ok. Maybe it's because I'm paying attention cause it's early in the process, or maybe it's because the pan hasn't totally heated up yet, but the first few flapjacks always turn out well (like those on the top of the picture). By the end of the batch, they are burnt and misshapen (like those on the bottom). What's even worse about this inability is that breakfast cooking is in my genes. My dad makes the absolute best scrambled eggs on the planet. And for years while I was growing up, on Sunday mornings I'd come downstairs to perfectly grilled French Toast for breakfast, courtesy of Dad. So, it's embarrassing to think that I can't even execute a simple pancake. I've tried everything. Turning the heat way way low so that the pan doesn't get too hot. Making them smaller so they don't slosh around when I try to flip them. Making the dough thicker so that they are easier to spread in the pan. But, without fail, we usually end up with hockey pucks in the morning. So, fellow bloggers, I beg you for some advice on how to make my pancakes turn out better. Pancake making is an essential quality of all women and mothers, and one I must master before I become the latter. How do you make your perfect pancakes?
5 comments:
Mary has the best pancake recipe in the world. Ask her for it.
But all is not lost. Consider these pancake tips:
1. when you stack up the pancakes, put the best one in top. With syrup, bananas, butter, and some whipped cream, no one will notice the hockey pucks on bottom.
2. pour the batter into several small bowls. Then cook the batter beginning with the last bowl you filled. Then the last pancakes will look like the first pancakes. Then only the first pancakes will look like hockey pucks.
3. Don't waste time making lots of little pancakes. Just make one big one. Then you won't have to worry about your attention span waning on those hockey puck pancakes at the end. No hockey pucks at all!
4. Put chocolate chips in the batter. Melted chocolate chips hide burnt hockey puck pancakes very well. Again, whipped cream helps.
5. The NHL is always in need of hockey pucks. As many games as those guys play, there is always a need. -Walter N.
I'm not seeing anything wrong with these pancakes! The darker ones, I give to my hubby. He just adds extra syrup and has no complaints! :)
My trick for knowing when a pancake is done (passed on from my Dad, the breakfast-maker in our house):
Tap the side of the skillet with your spatula. If the bubbles forming on the edges of the pancake pop, but the holes don't fill in with batter, it's ready to flip!
I have seen some little tools that you can buy to shape them, or even the little silver dollar pans from crate and barrel. Try that!
Sounds like a fun morning, Chickie. I heart big breakfasts! I think your pan is getting too hot. Do you use a griddle or a pan on the stove? If you're using a griddle, just unplug it for a bit when they start to get too brown, if a pan, move it off the heat. Add a bit more butter or oil to the pan and turn a little sooner. And don't be so hard on yourself!
Well, I can't cook anything, so even your burnt pancakes look good to me!
Next time I'm in town I'll make breakfast for you both! M&R can attest to my "bitchin'" eggs.
Miss you both!
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