Love & Pancakes

I am in love!  You are probably expecting me to say I'm in love with Murph or my kids, and yes of course I am.  This is a different love however.  I am in love with Nigella Lawson-there I said it!  I love her!  I really do-I love her shows, her cookbooks, her recipes, her website and Nigella herself.  I am basically cooking my way through Nigella's cookbooks.  I am still a devoted Lidia Bastianich fan, but I can have more than one love can't I?  I am not the only one in our house with a little crush either.  No matter where he is or what he is doing (with the exception of napping), when Matthew hears her voice come on the TV at 3:00, he stations himself in front of the television and just watches, in awe, along with his mommy.  I'm not sure what it is exactly about Nigella.  Her voice is mesmerizing and soothing, she is undoubtedly beautiful, and her recipes are some of the best meals I've ever made.  Oh, so I guess I do know what it is then-all these things I just listed.  I guess there is a reason that she is considered one of the sexiest women in Britain.   

In my effort to get back to basics and save a little here and there, I came across a Nigella recipe for pancakes.  She had been making them on an episode of Nigella Express and they looked divine. (yes pancakes can be divine).  Pancakes had long been my nemesis.  I tried different mixes-from gourmet to Bisquick and no matter what I did they were either thick heavy doughy weights or thin burned drips.  I decided to give it a go one last time before I retired my cast iron griddle pan forever.  I had all the ingredients already in the cabinets, so I set out to make pancake mix hoping to eventually create the same fluffy beauties that Nigella served up on her show.  My helper, Stina was in the kitchen with me as we ventured into the world of homemade pancake mix.  She helped me to measure the flour, sugar, and baking powder.  I figured this could double as her Math lesson for the day too.  Within minutes we had a mix all ready for the next day's breakfast. 

The next morning I was determined to make pancakes that were at least okay, if not maybe even a little bit good.  The first batch went on the griddle and cooked up quickly and looked good, no burning, perfect size and shape.  Each batch after seemed to easy to be true.  Breakfast was ready and now the true test-Murph and the kids.  No one expected much, after many failed breakfasts of pancakes at my hands.  The first bite was like a little cloud melting-slightly sweet and light.  These little perfect disks of honey colored goodness were a success!!!!  Everyone loved them!  With Nigella at my side (in spirit of course-haven't been lucky enough to actually meet her) I had made the perfect pancake!!!  I can't even begin to count how many pancakes I have made since that first day with Nigella's recipe, but let's just say, we are now on our 7th batch of mix and it lasts a while.  We now eat pancakes twice a week and have even been guilty of three times around the holidays.  Stina eats the leftovers (rarely are any) spread with Nutella and rolled up for a mid afternoon snack.  Below is Nigella's recipe for the mix and the batter.  Yummy-enjoy!

Nigella Lawson's Pancake Mix (from Nigella Express)

4 cups flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar (I use homemade vanilla sugar)

Mix together and store in a jar.  I use my extra canning jars.

Making the Batter:
1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon melted butter

Heat a flat griddle (I use a double burner cast iron griddle.  Nigella says not to oil it, but I do use a swipe of vegetable oil just in case).  Whisk all the ingredients together.  Spoon 2 tablespoons of batter onto the griddle and wait for the tiny bubbles.  Flip when you see the bubbles.  It is about a minute per side. 

To make homemade vanilla sugar, I just put about 3 cups of sugar (not exact) into a jar and add an open leftover vanilla bean (leftover from making marshmallows).  Close the jar and leave in the cupboard.  Within 2 or 3 days, your sugar is lightly scented and flavored with yummy vanilla.  Just keep adding more sugar as you use it. 

These are possibly the best pancakes I have ever tasted.  There is just something so yummy and light about them, they become addictive.  Hope you love these as much as we do!