Monday, March 2, 2009

Pancakes In The Mountains


We went up to the mountains a few weekends ago with our friends Robert and Roberto to celebrate our dear Beto's birthday. We had the most fabulous time, staying in a beautiful, eco friendly cabin on 63 acres of land, complete with a small veggie garden and horses, up near the Sequoia National Park.  We took hikes in the rain, and had some very memorable meals. Here is one of our breakfasts, cooked by Beto, that has already become legendary. I wish I could say that I grew some part of this meal in my garden!

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Pancakes
(From Epicurious)

3/4 Cup Quick Cooking Oats
1 1/2 Cups Plus 2 Tablespoons Well-Shaken Buttermilk, Divided
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/8 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Large Egg, Lightly Beaten
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted + More For Griddle
1 Tablespoon Packed Brown Sugar

Preparation:
Soak oats in 3/4 cup buttermilk for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.
Mix together egg, melted butter, brown sugar, remaining 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk, and oat mixture. Add to dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Heat a griddle over medium heat until hot. Lightly brush with butter. Working in batches, pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto griddle and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are golden-brown, about 1 minute. Flip with a spatula and cook other side, about 1 minute more. (Lightly butter griddle between batches).

Serve with caramelized ginger pears (recipe to follow).


Roberto’s Caramelized Gingered Pears
(Use Bosc or Asian Pears)
serves 4

Core and cut 3 pears in 1/4” wedges, unpeeled
Put pears in a heavy (preferably cast iron) pot with one handful of dark brown sugar per pear.
Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Simmer on low until sugar melts, stirring occasionally, until sugar is melted and pears absorb the dark brown of the sugar.
Spoon over pancakes!

FOOTNOTE:
Instead of pears, peel and cut into wedges, a mango, and follow recipe. Apples can also be substituted.
A pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon can be added as well!










XXX
Yvette


4 comments:

Unknown said...

Those pancakes look excellent.

Just wanted to let you know, I found your blog thanks to Sunset, and after a lot of time reading the archives, I LOVE it! Excellent, fun, inspirational stuff!

yvette roman davis said...

THANK YOU SO MUCH! You made my whole week, and it's only Tuesday!!!

XXX
Yvette

Anonymous said...

Wow, Yvette. The photos are glorious and and it made me want to be there. How blessed a weekend that must have been for you and Fred.

Anonymous said...

Yvette, What a joy it was to have you visit Shangri-La and share your delectable treats. The sensitivity and intimacy of your photographs gave us new insights into familiar scenes. That led us to your photographic portfolio which is astonishingly beautiful. Please come back and take more photos and swim in the River.
Kathleen & James