Disclaimer: i hate making pancakes. Standing in the kitchen for what seems like hours trying to keep that perfect balance of cooked centers and non-scourched surfaces is more stressful than Sunday morning breakfast should be. BUT when your old friend drives all the way from Seattle to see you, you cook her some pancakes!
My go-to recipe book for bready items is a gem that i found at a second hand bookstore for a whopping dollar: Mary’s Bread Basket and Soup Kettle
by Mary Gubser. There’s a recipe in there for pancakes using yeast that you start the night before – i must try this! But as i had not the foresight, i chose a simple buttermilk pancake recipe. Without buttermilk. I used to make a lot of butter and had buttermilk on hand pretty often – not so much anymore. I also live about 45 minutes from the nearest buttermilk carrying store. What’s a girl to do? Get creative! I DO have yogurt on hand, and since cultured buttermilk is fermented and yogurt is fermented – it ought to substitute pretty well, right? Yes! Here’s Mary’s original recipe:
Not-Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberries
Author:
Mary Gubsen via Miranda Rommel (Pocket Pause)
Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Serves: 3
- 2¼ C fresh ground flour
- 1 t baking soda
- 2 t baking powder
- 1 t salt
- 2 t sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk, 1 cup yogurt blended together OR 2 cups buttermilk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl beat eggs until light.
- Add milk and butter.
- Combine wet ingredients with dry, stirring until smooth.
- Cook pancakes on a hot, greased griddle, turning once after bubbles appear on top of the batter.
3.2.1753
In lieu of the buttermilk, i mixed about half/half milk and yogurt with good results. I used freshly ground hard red wheat and added some locally grown organic blueberries, serving with local honey and tons of fresh butter.
The cooking may have stressed me out, but the eating certainly made up for it.
About Miranda @ Pocket Pause
Miranda and her husband recently bought a quasi-abandoned farm in Kings Valley, OR where they hope to create a sustainable ecosystem that feeds themselves, their livestock and their corgi, Pocket while maintaining harmony with the environment. Many drifts of blackberries and fields of scotch broom (filled with cougars) both stand in their way and inspire them.
Miranda is a freelance artist and natural soapmaker, loves gardening and cooking and reconnecting with old fashioned ways. You can read more about Miranda and her family's adventures (and follies!) at www.pocketpause.com
Grain Mill Wagon Experience: I was truly amazed by the efficacy of the WonderMill! It ground up small grains and large with ease, created smooth and fluffy flour that inspired me to get better at baking! I can't wait to grow a small crop of grains to harvest and grind myself to fully maximize my experience with the Mill. I look forward to many years of enjoyment!
