Meow! Pancakes

Halloween pancakes this morning.

Blueberry Pancakes

We happened to have a few of these fresh, sweet gems on hand, so I plopped them on the pancakes Saturday morning. I'm not a "from scratch" cook when it comes to pancakes. I depend on Snoqualmie Falls mix.

Avoiding the "Dog" Pancake

The first pancake served up Saturday morning. It used to be that I called the first pancake the "dog pancake." It was usually anemic-looking, and if I had a dog, I would have thrown it to him. Instead, I would just throw it away. Then I learned the trick. Use cooking spray and lightly wipe the pan out after it warms up. The first pancake is no longer for the dog.

Is it a Pancake...or a Cookie?

A breakfast request from my 8-year old, who is really enjoying Christmas break. This is a chocolate chip pancake. Thank goodness she didn't think it needed syrup - that thought makes me shudder.

Kitty Cat Pancakes

Boo! Specialty-shaped pancakes for Halloween breakfast.

Valentine Pancakes

A sweetheart pancake for my little sweetheart this morning.

I use a pancake mix, one that my stepmother told me about years ago and it's still the best. Snoqualmie Falls Lodge mix. It's a little pricey, but it's perfect. I add a little vanilla to my pancakes. It's a magical ingredient. I don't follow the directions on the package. I mix it up thicker than it says to, so the pancakes have a nice "lift" when you flip them over.

The best trick I know about making pancakes is how to make the first one turn out just as well as the rest of the batch. Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray and turn on the heat to "medium." Let the oil warm, and then lightly swipe the pan with a paper towel. Now, put the pancake on. I know in some homes there's a joke about the first pancake being the "dog's pancake," so if you have a dog who really likes the first anemic-looking pancake, then don't follow my method. Otherwise, that swipe of the pan turns out a perfect pancake on the first try.