Every year MARDI GRAS (“FAT TUESDAY”) is NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY — the day preceding Ash Wednesday that inaugurates the Christian Season of LENT, fasting, prayer, and charity prior to Easter. This year National Pancake Day is Tuesday, March 4th.
My extended family has a long ancestry of pancake lovers and here is our recommendation:
1. Whatever pancake mix you use, add 1 teaspoon of Baking POWDER to the mix for very fluffy pancakes. If you are making a batter from scratch, add 1 ADDITIONAL teaspoon of Baking POWDER to that recipe — unless its Martha Stewart’s recipe as she adds ample baking powder. (Please do NOT confuse baking powder with baking soda. Extra baking soda only makes the cakes taste salty.) Caution: Do not use too much baking powder or you’ll get rubbery, not fluffy pancakes.
2. Buttermilk makes excellent pancakes. Be sure to let the batter stand for a few extra minutes before it hits the frying pan or griddle. Even with buttermilk, continue to add 1 teaspoon of Baking Powder.
3. Pure Maple Syrup is best for National Pancake Day. There’s no high fructose corn syrup in it. Still, some prefer standard Log Cabin or standard syrups, but look for the “no high fructose” Log Cabin which uses corn and sugar syrups.
4. Jelly and Jams are also great on pancakes.
Enjoy your weekend and have a fun-filled National Pancake Day!
frjamesdiluzio 