A breakfast comfort food, pancakes are simple to make, easy to eat and can be accessorized with nearly any food group. They are also adaptable to anyone's taste and creativity.
Jim Belosic, author of OMG Pancakes! tells Food for Thought (FFT) the secret to perfect pancakes is “non-clumpy batter, so make sure you mix the batter well.” Armed with a recipe and a squeeze bottle, Belosic started making pancake “creations” such as dinosaurs, pumpkins, unicorns and submarines to delight his young daughter.
“You have a lot of control with a squeeze bottle and can draw just about any shape,” he said.
There are plenty to choose from in his book.
FFT also spoke to local venues known for their pancake prowess.
International House of Pancakes (IHOP): West Hempstead, Oceanside, Freeport, Manhasset, Williston Park, Massapequa Park
IHOP has been serving up their signature buttermilk pancakes for more than 50 years. Their kitchen delivers a seemingly endless variety to choose from, including double blueberry, chocolate chip, cinnamon apple, harvest grain ‘n nut and the new cinn-a-stack, which features four pancakes layered with cinnamon filling and topped with cream cheese icing.
For cheesecake lovers, The New York Cheesecake stack comes with cheese cake pieces, strawberries, strawberries and whipped topping.
Empress Diner, East Meadow
The Empress Diner is well-known for its pancakes. According to a spokesperson, it all starts with their secret homemade recipe. Made from scratch, not a pre-mix, the pancakes are fluffy crowd-pleasers.
Those who want their breakfast to be a touch more exotic might want to try their popular Elvis Pancakes, made with sliced bananas, peanut butter chips and cinnamon. They also have Chunky Monkey pancakes loaded with bananas, walnuts and chocolate chips.
Thomas's Ham & Eggery Diner, Carle Place
A breakfast mainstay since 1946, this distinctive diner serves pancakes to packed crowds, especially on weekends. With its cozy old-fashioned vibe, Thomas's Ham & Eggery is known for great service and huge portions. Come hungry.
RECIPE: FLUFFY PANCAKES
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- cooking spray
Directions
- Combine milk with vinegar in a medium bowl and set aside for five minutes to "sour."
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk egg and butter into "soured" milk. Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until lumps are gone.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side.
Editor’s Note: Recipe reprinted courtesy of Allrecipes.com. Author: Kris
