Pop's Pancakes

We’re off to a quick trip back to our old hometown of Washington, DC.*  This is where SPH’s dad and step-mom live and where we’ll met up with SPH’s two sisters and their families for a big weekend we call affectionately “Santa Brunch.”  You can bet there is a bunch of food involved!  SPH learned much of his love of cooking from his dad, and with his dad at the helm of the kitchen for the brunch, we’ll eat well and be full!

One of R and G’s favorite kitchen creations of SPH’s dad are Pop’s Pancakes.  Pop proudly produces pancake after pancake each time we visit him.  They are such a tradition in our home, R often asks whenever we arrive, no matter what the time, “will you make pancakes in the morning?!”

I feel blessed to have a cooking family.  I have learned cooking and baking from the best of the best and from many different angles.  I have my incredible mom to thank for laying the sturdiest of cooking and baking foundations;  from my super creative dad, the art of making a fabulous red sauce with “a little of this and a little of that;”  from my husband, awesome professional kitchen techniques and seafood cooking; from my mother-in-law, lots of vegetarian recipes; and from Pop (oh, how the list of relatives could go on to include aunts, uncles, friends and other relatives) the art of being able to whip up things without a recipe.

So I share with you the approximate idea behind Pop’s Pancakes.  Give ‘em a try and alter to suit your own taste!

Pop’s Pancakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
dash of salt
dash of cinnamon
¾ - 1 cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
cooking spray

Preheat griddle or skillet to medium.  Let warm up sufficiently to ensure nicely browned pancakes.

In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

In a medium bowl mix the milk, egg, vanilla and oil.  Beat well to fully incorporate.

Mix the milk mixture into the flour and stir until just combined.

Spray the griddle or skillet with cooking spray.  Pour the batter into 3-4 inch rounds.  Cook a few minutes or until the top is covered with bubbles.  Flip.  Cook for 2-3 minutes more.

Serve with copious maple syrup (probably one of the reasons my boys especially love the way Pop serves up his pancakes).

Makes about 12.  Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

Have a sweet weekend!
SPC

*If you know where I live and think the house will be unattended, think again, my manly-man Uncle Paul will be house sitting.  Thanks Uncle Paul!