Fluffy pancakes

We love making pancakes on the weekend. So far it’s been our daughter who’d be making them. Couple of weeks ago, our son brought a recipe from the wonderful Mr. G, his science teacher at Friends’ Central. We love Friends’ Central for its Quaker values that are gently instilled in every kid to help them build compassion, respect, and friendships. I made the pancakes with my son and they were a big success.  The kids take turns, now.  One Sunday pancakes by Melina, the next one  pancakes by Thanos. Guess whose turn it is today. Enjoy the shared love on the Sunday breakfast table.

I’m making an exception today. I’m quoting the recipe word by word as Mr. G. wrote it. It’s longer and more detailed  than what’s usual for mydinnertoday but it’s  worth it.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 of a stick butter
• 4 eggs (separate yolks from whites)
• milk

How to make it (verbatim from Mr G. )

Preparing with parents

1. Mix into a large bowl 3 cups of flour, 6 tbls sugar, 31/2 tsps baking powder, 1 tsp. salt.
2. Melt 3/4 of one stick of butter in a small metal pot.
3. Add melted butter to flour/sugar baking powder/salt mixture.
4. Mix it in.
5. Separate the whites and yolks from 4 eggs. –Save yolks in a one bowl– egg whites in another bowl.
6. Now whip egg whites (in a large bowl) until fluffy and stiff. Put to one side.
7. Now –by stages– add milk to the flour/sugar b.powder/salt/butter/egg yolk mixture continually stirring until the whole mess becomes smooth, cream yet runny (like thick paint). Finally, use your egg whipping tool to break up remaining lumps.
8. Now carefully fold (stir) into this wondrous mixture your carefully stored (stiff) (yea even to peaking)  egg whites. Do not over stir…. you need to preserve those millions of air pockets if you want to have fluffy pancakes!

You now have in your possession a frist-class pancake batter. You may add blueberries, choc chips or crispy fried onions.

Cooking with parents

• Into a pre-heated, non-stick skillet/frying pan  pour 51/4 diameter pools of batter.
• When moonlike craters appear appear  appear in the upper surface of your -soon to be- pancake, flip it over with a spatula.
• Wait… Flip back…wait. Flip out onto plate.
• Add lemon juice and sugar … or butter… or butter and syrup.
• Give to your best friend.