Dutch Baby Pancake

Have you ever heard of a baked pancake called a Dutch Baby? I first found this recipe in a ladies magazine during the 1990’s. Our family liked it so much that we kept the magazine on the shelf with our favorite cookbooks.

Last weekend, I thought of a Dutch Baby, recalling its puffy crust topped with blueberries and powdered sugar then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. On Sunday morning I prepared the light pastry, placed it on my favorite platter, and then topped it with whipped cream.

As soon as I took it out of the oven, everyone came to the table eager to try the Dutch Baby. There are several different toppings you can enjoy with this pancake other than berries. Try cooked apples with brown sugar and butter topped with cinnamon—especially good in the fall when apples are ripe or sliced peaches during the summer.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp. butter (melted in large ovenproof skillet)

3 eggs

¾ cup flour

¾ cup milk (warmed for 20 seconds in microwave)

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 pinch of salt

1 pint blueberries (or other berries washed and drained. Combine with 1 tablespoon of sugar and set aside.)

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter in large oven proof skillet and put in oven to melt.
2. Place all ingredients, eggs through salt in blender and combine.
3. Pour blender contents into hot buttered skillet and return to middle of oven.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until puffy and brown around edges. Remove to rack and let cool for about 5-10 minutes.
5. Carefully remove pancake to large round platter.

Spread with sweetened fruit, sift with powdered sugar, and drizzle with sweetened condensed milk—last decorate with whipped cream. However you choose to adorn your Dutch Baby, I promise one thing—you’ll love it.

Surprise Oatmeal Pancakes

I got this basic recipe during the 1970’s from a Chicago friend of ours named Mike.  He was a traveling salesman and visited our area about once a month and usually spent the night.  One morning while he was there we were about to make breakfast when he decided to help out.  He made these wonderful oatmeal pancakes that were so delicious we adopted them for our own.  We’ve turned them into a Sunday brunch tradition at our home.  They never get boring because we change them by adding everything from blueberries to nuts and chocolate chips.  Let the children or grandchildren help out with this project.  They love making choices and adding their own  favorite ingredients.  

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 tbsp. canola oil
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons honey
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
½ cup milk
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup whole wheat flour
1½ cups old fashioned oatmeal

Optional: ½ cup chopped apple, a sprinkling of cinnamon, chocolate chips, blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, applesauce or anything else you or your assistants have chosen.

Directions: Preheat griddle to 350 degrees.
In a medium sized mixing bowl whip egg with oil.  Add salt, cinnamon, honey, yogurt and milk.  Mix thoroughly and then add wheat flour, oatmeal, baking powder, and soda.  Add the optional ingredients of your choice or those of your assistants.
Pour batter onto a warm preheated griddle and cook until beginning to set.  Turn pancakes over and continue to cook until springy in center.  These pancakes burn easily so keep temperature lower than recommended by griddle manufacturers.  Place on platter when done and keep warm in oven until ready to eat.  I promise your family will love these.  Serve with maple syrup, your favorite jam, or fruit.  Turn off the TV and telephone, sit at the table and have a conversation with your family.  What a treat!

Christmas Breakfast for Lunch in January

I remember when my daughter told me, as a child, she always wanted me to play house with her, but I never did. I don’t recall her ever asking, but if she did I probably said I was too busy. I’m afraid that much of my young adult life was too busy. I regret that, but today I am a Granny Nanny—I make time. So, my rug doesn’t get vacuumed—big deal. I am snowed in but fortunately my little princess is just doors away. Mommy called and asked if Lana could come over because she missed Grandma. I replied, “Oh yes!”

In boots and coat I stepped out on the porch and watched her plod through the snow. It was almost time for lunch so we decided to have Christmas breakfast for lunch. Who cares if it’s January. I just happened to have all the ingredients needed with only a little improvisation.

Of course we washed our hands first. We used our favorite pancake mix with water and in no time the flapjacks were sizzling in the pan. When they were all done, we put a pancake on each plate—then came the fun part—making a face for Santa. We used whipping cream for his beard, his mustache, and his eyebrows. Mini marshmallows worked well for the fur trim on his hat. We had enough strawberries for the rest of his red hat, his nose, and mouth. We used a dab of whipping cream with a chocolate chip in the center of each eye. When he was all done, he looked jolly even if I do say so myself. Hey, we could have made a monkey, or a bear. (Don’t forget chocolate syrup.)

We had warm cocoa with extra marshmallows and we both cleaned our plates. At last we went upstairs and played house with the dolls. Granny Nannies know life is too precious to waste time cleaning house when you have royalty to entertain.

Porridge for the Three Bears Plus One

This is the first entry to my blog. Yeah, me!

This morning my daughter called and asked if she and the kids could come to breakfast. Of course the answer was, yes. Grandpa hadn't gotten to see the grand kids yesterday so Grand Papa Bear was looking forward to it. I looked in the refrigerator and discovered there weren't any eggs. I never let a little thing like an 'egg' get in the way, so my imagination sprung into action. Cheerios, or granola wouldn't do--not for the princess. Princess Lana is a precious, picky, imaginative child of almost three and I knew she would expect something more. I (Grandma Bear) set out three bowls of varying sizes plus one. I took out the pot and the Irish steel cut oatmeal, aka porridge. Following the package directions I made enough for all contenders in about 30 minutes. None of that instant stuff for my baby bear. I placed several cups with toppings on the table--blueberries, raisins, brown sugar, butter, honey, and cinnamon. I made a smoothie of frozen bananas, frozen mixed berries, orange juice, and milk. When the princess (today baby bear) arrived she was impressed with the porridge and so were Mama Bear and Grandpa bear. Of course she had to add some rainbow sprinkles, honey, and butter. She didn't want any fruit, but (tee, hee!) she had a large smoothie. Now you are thinking Grandma Bear.