Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some tricks to making them perfect. We'd like to share those tips:
1. Use a low gluten flour. We like to use unbleached pastry flour in our recipes-that's what our mixes are made with-but all purpose flour will do. Bread flour makes for a pancake that it too tough and chewy.
2. Don't over mix. Mixing develops the gluten in the batter. Mix the dry ingredients together to dispense the leavening throughout the flour. Mix the recipe's wet ingredients together in another bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. There will still be lumps. That's okay-they'll cook out.
3. Get the batter the right consistency. The batter should be runny enough that it will spread on the griddle. If it is too runny, the pancakes will be crepe-like. As you progress through the batch, the batter will tend to become thicker as the leavenings work. Add a little more water or milk as needed but remember to stir minimally.
4. Prepare the griddle. Very lightly grease the griddle with a little shortening or with an aerosol can of vegetable oil.
5. Get the griddle hot enough. Set the griddle on high or medium-high heat. When the griddle is hot enough, water droplets will dance on the surface. After putting batter on the griddle, turn the heat to medium.
6. Cook uniform-sized pancakes. Use a 1/3-cup measure for medium-sized pancakes and a 1/2-cup measure for larger pancakes.
7. Cook it right. You can tell when it's time to turn the pancake by watching the bubbles form and watching the edges of the pancakes. The bubbles tend to cook into little craters and the edges will be dry-looking when the pancake is ready to turn. A little practice makes perfect.
8. Keep your pancakes hot. Pancakes are best if steaming hot. As you take the pancakes off the grill, cover them lightly with aluminum foil. If it's going to be more than a few minutes before they are eaten, stick the loosely covered plate in an oven heated to 275 degrees. For a special touch, heat the empty plates in the oven before serving.
For more articles like this visit The Bakers' Library.
© 2004 The Prepared Pantry
Bad eggs are rare but they do occur. Crack eggs... Read More
In any number of cookbooks and recipes you will find... Read More
Montana has a great program for restaurant employees. Each preparer... Read More
Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal... Read More
The great English cook Prue Leith once famously remarked "life's... Read More
As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More
Sometimes bread machines can be tricky. We were trying to... Read More
Nutritionists tell us that breakfast is the most important meal... Read More
Saving money ? is something we would all like to... Read More
While each country might have its own preferred style, "American... Read More
BBQ smoke is one of the easiest ways to add... Read More
IntroductionWoks have been synonymous with Chinese cooking since the emergence... Read More
A popular method of cooking chicken in recent years both... Read More
It wouldn't be summer without fresh mint in pots on... Read More
If you find leftovers boring, uninviting or downright "yuck," then... Read More
The easiest way to make rice well every time is... Read More
Pancakes are easy and almost foolproof. But there are some... Read More
Kitchen canister sets are a great way to accent your... Read More
Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us... Read More
The barbecue pit has been around since 1920,s and it... Read More
COLFAX, WISCONSIN - June is Dairy Month and what better... Read More
Non-stick woks do not require seasoning, and come with simple... Read More
Put on your apron! It's time to stir up a... Read More
As mentioned in Part 1 of the series, woks come... Read More
Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More
Since herbs are plentiful this time of year, why not... Read More
Our kid birthday cake idea collection makes cake decorating fun... Read More
It is one of life's oddities that we take a... Read More
"Thicken", or "Thickening" is a very common technique used in... Read More
High altitude baking can be a real adventure for the... Read More
What should you do if you are in the middle... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
We really like fresh bread while we're camping. There is... Read More
Perishable food must be kept cold while commuting via bus,... Read More
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to cook a delicious... Read More
We're partial to cornbread. We like its rustic texture and... Read More
Many bakers ask for tips and instructions on decorating cookies.... Read More
50% Less Cookingwithout hitting the fast food button! Don't you... Read More
Some of the best meals I've ever eaten were made... Read More
Cake pans?.the secret behind every successful cake. My husband tells... Read More
Researchers have found that bacteria have a tougher time surviving... Read More
Let's face it EVERY cook makes mistakes (yes, even us... Read More
What is Food Poisoning?Food poisoning results when you eat food... Read More
As moms, we have hectic lives. Whether we work out... Read More
Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our... Read More
To get the svelte figure, start in the kitchen. Slimming... Read More
There's a lot of bread in our freezer. In our... Read More
Filet mignon is French, of course, with filet meaning "thick... Read More
Soups and sauces can be thickened in a variety of... Read More
Microwave ovens can play an important role at mealtime, but... Read More
The whisk. A true versatile cooking utensil. Whisks come in... Read More
French chefs plunge them into boiling water; English ones, in... Read More
When buying apples, look for those that are firm and... Read More
Want a unique party idea for your child's birthday-or even... Read More
We're all looking for that perfect pie, or cookies, or... Read More
New and exciting varieties of peppercorns are becoming available to... Read More
Put on your apron! It's time to stir up a... Read More
If your cookies are too tough . . . You... Read More
The most difficult task of a picnic is remembering everything.... Read More
For any of the many reasons people choose to eat... Read More
As a busy working mother, I'm short on time, especially... Read More
Since herbs are plentiful this time of year, why not... Read More
Baking cookies seem to fill the house with a sense... Read More
There are usually 2 ways of deep frying in Chinese... Read More
It is one of life's oddities that we take a... Read More
Cooking Tips |