The Supermarket Gourmet

by Buck Reed

Good People Cook

One thing every American can agree on is that we don’t all agree. As for me, I am more concerned with whether you are a good person or not. In my opinion, an excellent way to tell if you are a good person is this question: “Do you cook?” or, more specifically, “Do you cook well?” That is to say, did you take the time to learn and practice to make a dish well and, more importantly, make that dish for others? With this view in mind, I give you pancakes.

First of all, pancakes are something you share. Nobody makes pancakes for one person. Yes, you can make a dozen or so pancakes, and whatever you don’t eat in one sitting, you can wrap up and refrigerate for a future breakfast, but I don’t picture anyone doing that. Most likely, if you are making pancakes, you probably have family or friends over to share them with. And if you are striving to learn and to make the best pancakes ever, I would wager you are a good person.

Now, I make no distinction between those who make pancakes from scratch or use a box mix. I do expect you to get the most out of your box mix if you choose to use that. No matter what the box says, use milk, or better yet, buttermilk, in your mix. Also, crack an egg into the mix. Water just isn’t going to add any flavor or richness to your breakfast.

Do not make your batter ahead of time. No matter what any recipe or chef tells you, just prepare your batter when you are ready to start making them. If mixed too far ahead of time, the flour will absorb the liquid, and your pancakes won’t fluff right. There is no getting around it: good people make fluffy pancakes.

Do not overmix your batter. Just mix until the liquid is incorporated into the dry ingredients. Most people might think that lumps in your batter are a bad thing; of course, those people would be wrong. A few scattered lumps are nothing to worry about.

Get your pan temperature right. You might have to sacrifice the first pancake to the breakfast gods, but be prepared to adjust as needed. The first one can be given to the dog. But once you figure this out, the pooch may have to go without. You can always give him a perfect pancake in future missions.

I cook my pancakes in enough vegetable oil to result in a crispy edge around the pancake because that’s how Grandma did it. And Grandma was a good person, just like you want to be.

Once the pancake is in the pan, don’t mess with it. Let it do its mojo breakfast thing. Don’t smash it down with your spatula, shake the pan, or try to move it around. Flip it one time only when it bubbles up, and they burst, making sure to adjust your pan so they do not burn before this phenomenon occurs.

If you make great pancakes (and everyone can) and you share them with others, I will consider you a good person.