Grandmas Soul Food Pancakes With Plantains

GRANDMA'S SOUL FOOD PANCAKES (WITH PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-low heat; saute plantains until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer plantains to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.
• Beat egg in a large bowl until fluffy. Stir milk and margarine into egg; add flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir mixture until batter is smooth. Fold plantains into batter.
• Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a heavy griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Griddle is ready with a drop of water breaks into several smaller balls that dance around griddle. Pour batter, about 1/4 cup per pancake, into hot griddle. Cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until browned on the other side, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter.

GRANDMA'S BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

Steps:

• Lightly grease a cast-iron pan or griddle with vegetable oil, wiping off excess with a paper towel. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks into the buttermilk, then whisk in the butter. In another bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then sift these dry ingredients into the buttermilk mixture. Lightly whisk together until the batter is just mixed (a few lumps won't hurt). In a clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a whisk until soft peaks form. Use a rubber spatula to fold them into the batter. Don't overwork the batter; keep it light and fluffy.
• Heat the griddle over medium-high heat until hot. (To test, flick a bit of water onto the pan; it'll bead up and dance if it's hot enough.) Pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle. Cook until little holes appear on the surface and the cooked side of the pancake is golden brown (lift the edge to check), about 1 minute on each side. Don't worry if the first one or two don't turn out well-that's normal. Continue making pancakes, regreasing the pan as needed. Stack pancakes on a plate, slather generously with butter, and pour on a few good glugs of real maple syrup. Makes 4 batches of 3 pancakes (4" in diameter).

GRANDMA'S GERMAN PANCAKES

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients together.
• Slowly pour and mix the milk into the dry ingredients. It will be like heavy cream.
• Beat the eggs and add to the mixture.
• Heat a heavy pan on medium high. Spray with oil. Ladle in 1/3 cup of crepe mix into pan and swirl to coat entire bottom of pan. Let heat about 30 seconds. Turn down heat (or remove). Use a flexible metal spatula to lift edges and then the whole pancake. Flip it over and cook until lightly browned, about a minute.
• Turn out onto a plate. (*The first pancake is often a mess but after that they come out better).
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of a tart jam or jelly on the pancake. Shake powdered sugar over all. Roll up and add another shake of powdered sugar. Enjoy.

GRANDMA'S SOURDOUGH PANCAKES

Steps:

• 1. Night before: Mix flour, milk, salt, and starter in large bowl. Cover and let stand over night! (Be sure to set aside 1 cup as future starter).
• 2. In morning: Add Soda, eggs, sugar, oil or butter. Mix until lumps are gone.
• 3. Cook on heated skillet until cakes are golden brown. Serve with favorite syrup (Grandma's choke cherry syrup is the best!).
• Starter: Soften yeast in warm water.
• Stir in Flour, water, and sugar. Beat until smooth.
• cover and let it stand at room temperature until mixture is bubbly. During this time stir 2-3 times daily. Refrigerate or freeze.
• IMPORTANT GRANDMA TIP:
• DO NOT WASH STARTER CONTAINER! SOURDOUGH, GOOD SOURDOUGH, DEPENDS ON THIS!