Pancakes

I like breakfast. Matt does not really care for it. Every once in awhile he will humor me and say he will eat pancakes if I make them. I usually jump at the chance. My dad would always put extra things into his pancake batter like shredded apple or tiny bits of ham. The first time I got to put chocolate chips in my pancakes was a dream come true. Today I had a ton of strawberries so I thought I might put them in my pancakes, but after some reflection I decided cutting them into tiny chunks was to much work so I just tossed them in the food processor and made a strawberry compote to top the pancakes with. 

Pancakes:

1 1/4 cups Flour

2 Tbsp Sugar

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1 cup Milk

2 Tbsp Butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla

Heat griddle or pan. Mix all dry ingredients together. Melt the butter and lie it cool slightly. I like to melt it in a glass 2 cup measuring cup. Add the vanilla, milk and egg to the butter and mix quickly, as the butter will begin to solidify. Add the wet to the dry and mix until just combined. (I like to add any optional ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts in with the dry ingredients because I feel they get incorporated better that way.) Scoop the batter onto your preheated griddle, making sure to give the pancakes enough room to spread out and not run into each other. The pancakes are ready to flip when the bubbles that have formed on the top of the pancake have all begun to pop. Cook for another minute or so on the second side. Your pancakes should lift right up when they're done. Top with your favorites and enjoy. Makes around 10 pancakes.

Optional Options:

1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4-1/2 cup berries

1/4 cup chopped nuts

1/4 cup coconut

1/4 cup crumbled bacon

1 Tbsp lemon/orange zest

Notes:

1. Choose whatever goodies you like for your pancakes. I often through in oats for texture, nuts for crunch, cinnamon for a little depth and chocolate chips for sweetness. 
2. Toppings can be as varied as you like. Add Nutella, peanut butter, coconut, fruit, cinnamon butter, bacon, whipped cream, syrup, nuts, chocolate in any form. ice cream, a fried and and salsa--my dad's favorite. 
3. Pancakes do great in the freezer. Just pop them in the toaster when you want one. 

Chocolate Chip Pancakes