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Monday, January 25, 2010

Come along on my pancake journey!

Have you ever visited The Pioneer Woman Cooks blog? Oh man her pictures are gorgeous and the way she chronicles her recipe journey makes it really easy to follow along.
Well, me and my dinky camera attempted a little journey with our pancakes today. While it is no comparison to the aforementioned author...I think it will help my friends who are hoping for pancake success!!!
So, come along on our Oatmeal Whole Wheat Pancake Journey! And, might I add my first try at blogging. More later on whys and whats of this blog....today I really really want to talk about pancakes. I call this a journey because I started the day wanting to make pancakes, did a bunch of research, altered some recipes, made 3 batches and now am giving you the outcome. So, it may not feel like a journey to you...but I am tired, and full of pancakes!

Hmmm would you want the recipe first or last? Well, since you can't really answer I will make the decision and post it at the end. So look for it there ok. (note to self...don't forget to put the recipe at the end!)

First thing you want to do to begin this fantastic journey is go to your pantry and grab the box of Bisquick that is in there and go throw it in the trash!!! I know you just spent money on it but really... it is yucky and no good for you. Ok... an alternative would be to donate your unopened box to a local pantry. I want you to know that I feel strongly about this....no mixes! You can make it from scratch! It will taste better and most likely cost less.

Ok the first thing (that propels the recipe forward) that you want to do is grab your quick cooking oats and measure out 2 Cups into the food processor. Pulse it for a bit until you have partially pulverized those oats. Don't slay them fully, just beat them up a bit.


Now, if you have a 2 cup liquid measure get that out and pour into it about 1/8 a cup of white vinegar. Listen, it is OK not to get out another measuring cup to measure this, just splash some in the bottom of the measuring cup, you are just going to be curdling milk with it and the proportions are not all that important.
I know there are some of you out there measuring...that's ok, I won't judge. I will tell you I put that measurement on purpose to delight or confuse you. Not everyone has an eighth cup measure and they are scrambling around in horror...what to do...what to do. I am not helping, don't ask. Just go google 1/8 cup to find out how many Tablespoons that is....if you truly feel the need to measure.
NEXT ~ add milk to the vinegar to equal 1 cup, and let it sit there and do strange things. The milk will do strange things, not you. I decided to go change out the laundry during this time.


When you come back after a bit you should have that curdled milk look going on. If you don't you probably didn't put enough vinegar and maybe you are one of those people who really should measure!
NEXT~ add water to make this a full 2 cups of liquid.
NEXT~ in a large mixing bowl combine the oats and the milk mixture, stir to combine fully and let this sit for 15 to 30 minutes depending on what else you have going on!

Meanwhile in a separate bowl combine your other dry ingredients and whisk them.

I choose to use this (new to me) white whole wheat flour. It is King Arthur Brand, and he seemed daring enough to go on this journey so I let him come along. He was worried about getting beat up but I assured him it was limited to the oats and the eggs.
So in this bowl is the wheat flour 3/4 cup plus 2T, as well as
2 T corn starch, 2 1/2 T sugar, 1 tsp. salt and some baking soda and baking powder....I can't remember how much right now, but it will be in the recipe below. (you could consider that foreshadowing if you wanted to, or laziness because I don't want to go get the recipe right now)
Ok, now whisk this together. And don't worry we aren't going back on our word to King Arthur it is just whisking not beating.

But speaking of beating....please at this point... do beat 2 eggs.
Completely. I just like how the photo looked with one partially done!

Can I just say at this point I am totally frustrated with how this blog lets you lay out pictures....ahhhhh it is wonky and not how I want it.
Deep Breath and back to the recipe.
NEXT~ add your eggs and vanilla to the milk/oats mixture. I think it should be obvious, but in case it isn't...you do have to stir.
Add the whisked dry ingredients to the large bowl of wet ingredients...uuhhh do I have to say stir here again? Ok, stir.
Melt 3 T butter and let it be known that once you add that in (and stir)... the ingredient part of this journey is done!
You may now stand back and give yourself a round of applause because you have just created a bowl of pancake batter that is full of goodness that will fill the tummies of those at your house with among other things....LOVE!!!

Ingredient list:
2 cups Quick cook Oats
1 cup buttermilk (or curdled milk)
1 cup water

3/4 cup plus 2 T. whole wheat flour
2 T. corn starch
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 T. sugar

2 eggs beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3 T. butter or oil

Quick instructions.
Pulse oats in a food processor, then add them to the curdled milk/ water combo in a large bowl. Let this sit 15-25 minutes. Combine other dry ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk gently to combine. After time has passed add the dry ingredient mixture and the last three ingredients to the milk/oats mixture and stir until just combined. Cook on a griddle til golden brown. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe Here

There is really so much to say about cooking these lovely pancakes but that must wait until another day.

I must say because of all of this, I have one load of laundry yet to be washed.
Well, it will have to wait until tomorrow...otherwise known as the day the kids eat pancakes!!