No matter where in the world you live or what age you are, having pancakes for a meal instantly conjures a picture in your mind of comfort and edible delight. 

Whether it's a Saturday or Sunday morning in the Midwestern United States, having Absolute Best Pancakes for breakfast is the perfect way to start the day.

  Absolute Best Pancakes

Ingredients

1 C. flour

1 egg

1/3 C. sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. milk

2 Tbs. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. vanilla (optional)

Directions

Mix all ingredients above adding the melted butter last.  Cook on a heated griddle until bubbly on top and browned on bottom, flip and brown topside.  Serve with favorite fruit or syrup. 

From: Heather Adair  - Center Point, Texas

When you come home late from work and don't really know what to make, try pancakes!

Spinach and Cheese Blintzes

These blintzes are more of a meal than anything else. Use our crepe recipe to make them from scratch, or buy them packaged.

Ingredients

4 C. frozen spinach

3 Tbs. butter or extra virgin olive oil

2 C. scallions, chopped

1 Tbs. sesame oil

1 C. sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 C. mozzarella, grated

Salt and pepper

Directions

Completely defrost the spinach and squeeze out any excess liquid. Add the butter or olive oil to a skillet and sauté the scallions about 2 minutes. Add the spinach and continue to cook about 5 minutes longer. Add the sesame oil, cheddar, and mozzarella, folding the spinach over the cheese until it melts. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the filling from the pan and cool before stuffing your blintz crepes.

Note: If you refrigerate the mixture, it is best to bring the spinach to room temperature, and drain again before stuffing or your blintzes will be soggy.

They still are pancakes in the basic definition of the word.  According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the definition of pancake is anoun: a flat cake made of thin batter and cooked (as on a griddle) on both sides. 

Pancakes are one of my comfort foods, especially chocolate chip pancakes, which are made by adding a cup of chocolate chips to the basic batter before you make them.  However, my favorite is fresh fruit sliced on top of the pancakes and sprinkled with powdered sugar and Cool Whip.  They are an easy dinner when you come home late from work and don't really know what to make; try pancakes.  My dear friend makes Mickey Mouse chocolate chip pancakes for her family whenever her kids don't feel well.  Somehow, it seems to make them feel better, but it could just be the love she puts into making them for her family. 

Where did the pancake originate?  There are so many stories that it is hard to say which came first, or perhaps they all are true.

One story says that the early Christians had to use up all the items in their home before Lent (the fast before Easter), thus the birth of Fat Tuesday.  They threw all of the ingredients together and made massive pancakes that they ate until they were stuffed. 

Another story tells us that the Colonial slaves used to carry a pancake-like mixture in a bag with them and when they were able to stop and eat, they mixed it with water, made pancakes on a metal griddle, and cooked them over the fire.

Spring pancakes, a thin pancake made of ground rice and filled with vegetables and meat have been traced as far back as the Song Dynasty.

Pancakes are not only made with flour, but are also made with shredded potatoes, corn meal, zucchini, or apples.  Use your imagination, the possibilities are endless.

Try a few of my favorites.

Bread Pancakes Gingerbread Pancakes Triple Chocolate Crepes  Bed & Breakfast French Crepes