I’m naming this “Daddy’s Perfect Pancakes”. Shoutout to all the peeps out there with Daddy Issues.
Ingredients (In order, serves 2 to 4)
1 1/2 cups flour
3 tbs olive oil (dad: butter)
1 tbs sugar (dad: 2-3 tbs sugar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 cup milk of your choice (Kai: oat milk, dad: buttermilk)
1-2 bananas (optional, Kai: ALWAYS)
Let’s make it!
Find a reasonably sized bowl, dump in all the dry ingredients. No flowers, leave the bad jokes to me. Mix the dry ingredients until equally distributed. Go ahead and add in the wet ingredients. Mix well. If it’s too thick at first like mine was, it’s totally fine. Just add milk a little at a time until the batter has the perfect consistency. Thick but NOT runny.
(Get inspired and add in toppings you’d like to add! Here’s a tip for chocolate chips: when the bottom side is almost done, right before the flip, place your chocolate chips onto the pancake and cover them with a little of batter. This way, the chocolate chips won’t burn or stick to the pan.
The sweetness of caramelized bananas is perfect and a healthy substitute for pancakes. I like to add chunks AND and smush some for it to fully integrate with the pancakes. The “smushing method” is also a great way to sneak in fruits and replace sugar for your kids, parents, grandpa, or any loved one in need of a lifestyle change.)
Now comes my favorite part. Heat up the frying pan to medium high heat and cover it with generous amount of olive oil (or butter if you prefer). I use stainless steel cookware so I add a little extra. When the oil reaches the perfect temperature (you’ll know this when you tilt the pan and the oil runs like water), add in the batter. Pour it in the center and keep it there until desired size of pancake forms. *Always pour from the center, never try to draw a circle and fill it in.* Take the pan and move it in a motion to spread the batter to cook more evenly and create a round-ish shape. Let the batter sit and crisp up. You’ll know to flip it when you see bubbles and air pockets surfacing throughout. You can also gently lift a corner to take a peek. When it’s ready,
FLIP IT.
SERVE IT
and ENJOY IT.
You can use whatever you want, but this is where I add in loads of butter, and always and forever, Aunt Jemima!
When it comes to comfort food like this, I sometimes make it at night when I need a little pick me up. My dad and I have a better relationship now, we’re buddies. And I’m really glad he stayed present with his new kids and family. Somehow knowing that Angelina and Nico will get to enjoy his pancakes and cookings brings me joy. It’s okay that I didn’t grow up with him, because this pancake recipe compensates for my fatherless childhood. Kidding. Shoutout to all the single moms out there, and an extra special one for my own ma.