The spring halts briefly in Delhi before setting it ablaze with the scorching summer. Every morning when I wake up I can see the bougainvillaeas sway merrily in their happy colours of pink, yellow, purple and red outside my huge window. I can already feel myself getting lazier as the day seems to stretch longer.

Do you feel a change in the taste buds with the change in seasons? I know I do. I feel like eating things that are lighter on the stomach. Piping hot paranthas of all shapes, sizes and fillings that satiated me in the cold winter mornings just don’t excite me these days. Since the last couple of days, I had this craving for pancakes. Much as the laziness swept over me and I was tempted to get a readymade packet delivered home, I brushed the thought aside and scurried to the kitchen to make my own pancake mix. It barely took a few minutes to get my whole jar full of my mix. Voila!

On our first trip to the U.S.A. after our marriage, we stayed with Santosh Aunty in Harrisburg. I was a tad nervous meeting Sam’s side of the family but Santosh Aunty put me at ease instantly. Just like a mother hen tends to her chicks, she took me right under her wings and pampered me endlessly. She loved cooking and made sure every day was a feast. It was while staying with her that I learnt how to make pancakes using this recipe. It combines wholewheat flour with refined flour and uses no eggs. Made well in advance and stocked in any jar, breakfast then becomes an easy peasy affair. A cup of milk, a couple of tablespoons of oil and water turns the mix finally into a batter. A cup makes about 6 pancakes and since 75 per cent of the mix is whole wheat flour, it is much healthier than the ones made only with refined flour.

History of Pancakes

Also known as flapjack, hotcake, griddle cake; pancakes have been made by mankind for the longest time. Laboratory investigations done on 30,000-year-old grinding tools show that Stone Age cooks used the flour out of cattails and ferns. The flour was combined with water and baked on a greased hot rock before it was consumed.

In 1991, a well-preserved body dating back to 5300 years, was found in the Otzal Alps. When research was done on the mummy or Otzi, the Iceman as he is now known as, researchers found pancakes in his stomach – proof enough that the origin of pancakes dates back to prehistoric times.

Enjoy a pancake your way

Its ubiquity on the plates all across the globe suggests its popularity. For years people have enjoyed pancakes their own way. The ancient Greeks and Romans relished pancakes called tagenias then, with honey. The earliest mention of tagenias are found in the works of the 5th century BC poets Cratinus and Magnes. Made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk, they were served for breakfast. During the reign of Elizabeth I, pancakes were flavoured with spices, rosewater, sherry, and apples.

Fluffy and pillowy, these glorious golden pancakes can be had with honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce or ice cream. I love it with the salted caramel sauce that I make. You can get the recipe here. Load the pancakes with fruits, chocolate and berries. Give it the dust of icing sugar and a pat of butter for the ultimate pampering. This is a breakfast fit for a princess.

Print Recipe

Breakfast Time - The Easy Peasy Pancake Recipe

A pancake, also known as a hotcake or flapjack is a flat cake prepared from a batter of flour, eggs and milk and cooked on medium flame on a griddle or a frying pan.

Servings

pancakes

Ingredients

Pancake Mix

• 11/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup refined flour
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder

For the batter

• 2 tbsp Water
• 2 tbsp Refined Oil
• 1 cup milk

• 3 tbsp refined oil to use while cooking
• 2 tbsp icing sugar (to dust on pancakes)

Servings pancakes Ingredients Pancake Mix 11/2 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup refined flour 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder 1/4 tsp salt 3 tbsp powdered sugar 1 tbsp baking powder For the batter 2 tbsp Water 2 tbsp Refined Oil 1 cup milk 3 tbsp refined oil to use while cooking 2 tbsp icing sugar (to dust on pancakes)

Instructions

1. Sieve all the ingredients for a pancake mix. Mix well and store in a dry, tight sealed container. This will make 2 cups.
2. For making 6 pancakes, take a cup of the pancake mix. Add the water, oil and milk and blend well.
3. Put a griddle or frying pan on medium heat. Drizzle with oil and using a ladle pour the batter on the pan. Once bubbles start forming and the underside starts leaving the pan, flip and cook the other side.
4. Serve hot. Give a dust of sugar and relish it with a pat of butter, maple syrup, honey, berries and fruits.

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