Technicolor Pancakes!

It’s helpful to have some quick and easy “go-to” recipes when we’re pressed for time or just not interested in burying our nose in a cookbook while a hungry family is anxiously waiting for a meal. Breakfast for dinner is a perfect “go-to” idea, while providing key nutrients and great taste for you and your family.

This pancake mix recipe from Alton Brown is amazing. The “instant mix” keeps for up to three months in an airtight container and is a staple in our kitchen. Combine 6 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons sugar. Shake/stir to mix ingredients.

To make the pancakes, heat an electric griddle to 350 degrees F or a frying pan to medium. Heat oven to 200 degrees F and place inside a baking sheet covered with foil and a dusting of cooking spray. Separate 2 eggs. Whisk the two egg whites with 2 cups of buttermilk (in a pinch, you can substitute 2% milk, but the pancakes won’t be nearly as scrumptious).  Mix the yolks with 4 tablespoons of melted butter, and then add the white and yellow mixtures together in the same bowl. Add 2 cups of the pancake mix, whisk until just combined; the batter should be lumpy!

Now here comes the challenging part. Making the perfectly cooked pancake is all about trial and error. Check out Alton Brown’s pancake cooking tips to make a beautiful, golden pancake. After each batch is cooked to perfection, spread a little butter or margarine on it and put it on the pan in the oven.

Pancakes offer a little bit of sweet, while giving us carbohydrates for energy. They are also fun for kids and can be made into silly faces and creative shapes. To make the pancakes pictured here, we divided the batter into different bowls and added a few drops of food coloring at a time. We also like to sprinkle the pancakes with a few milk chocolate chips or berries (we like to defrost frozen fruit) just before they’re ready to be flipped.

Pairing them with a lean protein, such as eggs, low-fat sausage, bacon or a soy alternative to meat makes the meal well rounded and satisfying. You can also add protein through dairy – a refreshing glass of milk, or yogurt mixed with fruit. Top things off with some fruit, or 100% juice.

What’s your favorite breakfast-for-dinner idea?

How Stacey Got the Shot: On the dining room table with a foam core backdrop and vintage Fire King dishes. Morning light coming in the window. ISO 100, f/8, 1/3 second shutter speed.