Banana Chocolate Pancakes

I went searching for my posting on pancakes, as I was positive that I had posted one, but I couldn't find one. So either the search tool really sucks (which it does) or I never posted a pancake recipe. The one I use is from the Joy of Cooking (circa 1975). They call it a French Pancake, better known as crepes - I think, but I call it a thin pancake. Crepes are a whole different thing in my mind. I hate those thick buttermilk pancakes that you get from a box or in certain chain restaurants. My father always called them blow out patches. I think he was onto something there because that is exactly what they taste like. I much prefer a thinner pancake.

Banana Chocolate Pancakes (Hardly recognizable from the Joy of Cooking)

1 banana
2 eggs
2 T brown sugar
1t vanilla
1 c buttermilk (or milk)
1t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
3/4 c flour
small amount of butter for griddle
about 1/3 c chocolate chips

In a bowl mash banana with a fork. Whisk in eggs. Add brown sugar and whisk until combined. Add vanilla and buttermilk (or milk). Whisk in cinnamon. Add salt, flour and baking powder and whisk until combined. Heat griddle and melt a small amount of butter on hot griddle (you might need more later but don't be alarmed if you don't). Pour a small amount of batter onto the hot griddle (about a 1/4 cup). Sprinkle about 4-5 chocolate chips on top of batter. When tiny bubbles appear on the surface, take a peak at the bottom. If lightly browned, flip and cook until lightly browned on other side. Repeat, repeat, repeat, (you get the idea).

This is quite a versatile recipe. Feel free to leave out the bananas and sub in white sugar and blueberries instead of the brown sugar and chocolate chips. I don't need an excuse to have chocolate for breakfast - believe me! The original recipe uses water and milk but I find I like using all milk or buttermilk. They also used confectioners' sugar instead of regular sugar. If you do make them as just plain pancakes, a little lemon zest is nice.

This is one of the recipes I would make when we had breakfast for dinner on Sundays when the girls were little. Mornings were always a rush and we would have cold cereal or oatmeal. So breakfast for dinner was a great time to enjoy those more involved breakfast foods.

Comments

Waffled Hash Browns

I'm not that much of a fan of one-trick ponies taking up real estate in my kitchen. I know that a waffle iron can be classified as that, but now I can rationalize that it's not. Who knew you could make hash browns in it? Waffled Hash Browns (Adapted from Cooking Light ) 1 1/2 lb russet potato (shredded) salt/pepper to taste 1/4 t garlic powder 1 1/2T butter, melted Preheat waffle iron. Squeeze liquid out of potatoes by blotting between two paper towels. Toss potatoes, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Brush both sides of the waffle iron with butter. Spread potatoes evenly on waffle iron. Close and cook 2 minutes. Press iron closed completely and cook about 12 minutes or until golden brown. I did not feel that they browned as nicely as in the picture on the original recipe, but then again I don't have a food stylist do I? The drawback of this recipe is that you have to share this. Since they take about 15 minutes, it's a little difficult to make a second one...

Citrus Shortcake

In my mind, this cake is sort of a blank slate. The cornmeal gives it a little crunch but it is quite versatile. I drizzled a citrus icing on it this time around. I think there are many other things that you could do. You could macerate some berries in sugar and top the cake with them. I think some heated jam (orange, strawberry, or raspberry) drizzled over would be nice. I scoop of ice cream never hurt anyone. A dollop of whip cream never did either. I think you get the idea. Citrus Shortcake (Adapted from Cooking Light circa 2010) 3/4 c sugar 1/4 cup butter 2 eggs 1 T orange rind, grated 2T fresh OJ 1/2 t vanilla 1 c flour 2T cornmeal 3/4 t baking powder 1/2 t baking soda 1/4 t salt 2/3 c buttermilk Grease a 9" square pan set aside. Cream butter and sugar for 5 minutes in a mixer. Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl). Set aside. Add eggs one a time to butter mixture; beating well after ...

New Kid on the Block

So here's a picture of the new kid on the block. Ain't she a beauty? It's a Blomberg . They are fairly new to the US. They have been around in Europe for quite a while. I really liked the design. I've been dying to have a freezer on the bottom. With the old refrigerator I would constantly lose brain cells by hitting my head on the freezer will poking around in the refrigerator. It really makes sense to have the refrigerator on top - that is where you spend most of your time. When we bought the old one, it was an emergency situation. The prior one was leaking on the floor and was no longer cooling. Fifteen years ago the freezer on the bottom was just starting to get popular but we were in no situation to wait for delivery. We had to take what they had on hand. Now the freezer on the bottom is by no means unique. What is - is this freezer's design. There are 3 compartments in the freezer. I used to have a chest freezer in the basement and everything would get los...

Chocolate-It's What's for Dinner

Search This Blog