Practically Perfect Pancakes

Maybe it was because the temperature was plummeting that I needed something comforting for dinner: breakfast for dinner! And perhaps my favorite memory of growing up was Sunday morning pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice. It's the only meal I ever remember watching my parents cook together.

I already have what I thought was a perfect pancake recipe. But I didn't have ricotta in the refrigerator, and really shouldn't I have a recipe as a back up? Just eggs, flour, milk . . Well, I found it.

I shook my head the entire time I watched these grow on the griddle. I cannot believe the fluffy rise.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tsp baking powder (THAT'S ONE TRICK!)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups milk

1 egg

3 T unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla

~ Prepare batter FIRST, then deal with the griddle or pan! (THAT'S THE SECOND TRICK.)

~ Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.

~ Mix wet ingredients in another.

~ Make well in the dry ingredients and add wet ingredients.

~ Stir until JUST incorporated and let SIT while you prepare the griddle.

~ Spray a griddle or pan and warm to medium heat.

~ Use 1/4 cup measuring cup to spoon batter onto griddle or pan.

~ Flip when bubbles just barely form.

~ OH - MY - RISE!