Banana Walnut Pancakes

Ingredients:

1-1/2  cups all-purpose flour
2  tablespoons sugar
3  teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
1  large egg
1-1/4  cups milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter (margarine)
1 banana, mashed
1/3  cup ground walnuts

Sauce:

1-1/2  cup raspberries or blueberries
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1  cup water
 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest


Preparation:

  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 
  • In a medium bowl, beat egg slightly; stir in milk, mashed banana and oil or melted butter. 
  • Add moist mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until flour is moistened. Stir in walnuts. 
  • Lightly grease a griddle or skillet with oil and heat over medium high heat until a drop of cold water will dance across the griddle (about 1 to 2 minutes). 
  • Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle or skillet. Cook until the edges of the pancakes bubble and burst. 
  • Turn over with spatula and cook until underside is golden brown. 
  • Serve right away with warm sauce or place on a heated platter to keep warm.

Sauce:

  • In a medium size saucepan, mash the blueberries  or raspberries with the sugar.
  • Add the water and lemon zest.
  • Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • Strain and return to pan.
  • Simmer until slightly thickened.


Real Cooking
Did You Know?
American or Canadian pancakes (sometimes called hotcakes, griddlecakes, or flapjacks in the U.S.) are Scotch pancakes which contain a raising agent such as baking powder; proportions of eggs, flour, and milk or buttermilk create a thick batter. Sugar and spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg are added. This batter is ladled or poured onto a hot surface, and spreads to form a circle about ¼ or 1/3 inch (1 cm) thick. The raising agent causes bubbles to rise to the uncooked side, when the pancake is flipped. These pancakes, very light in texture, are served at breakfast topped with syrup, butter, peanut butter, jelly, jam, fruit or honey. In the Southern United States, cane syrup and molasses have also been common toppings. Some pancake recipes call for yogurt to give the pancakes a moist consistency.

North American pancakes can be made sweet or savory by adding ingredients such as blueberries, strawberries, cheese, bacon, bananas, apples or chocolate chips to the batter. In addition, some recipes add spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon, or flavoring agents such as vanilla extract. A "silver dollar" pancake refers to a pancake about three inches (7 cm) in diameter — these are served in portions of five or ten.