Lazy Sunday

Sunday mornings are one of my favorite times of the week. All that extra time to sleep in, and then to lounge in bed just a little bit longer to read "Sunday Styles," and then to get up and lazily make something for breakfast at a time that would normally count as brunch but can safely still be called breakfast because it's on the weekend. Because of my limited days off and crazy February inpatient schedule, this is the first and last lazy Sunday morning of the month for me!

I had to make it count. I was pretty hungry by the time I made it to the kitchen, so I had to think of something quick but still delicious. I rejected scones because I make them all the time (though JB told me she was going to send along a recipe for a yummy raspberry version later today). No time for anything yeasted. What about some sort of vehicle for syrup? Hmm...not enough slightly-stale bread around for French toast. Waffles could be a possibility. Then, the aha! moment: time for pancakes, of the whole wheat variety.

It's not really fair to pigeonhole these pancakes in the syrup-vehicle category (though, really, who except B doesn't love maple syrup?) when they are so much more than that! The whole wheat flour adds texture and color. Plus, they're quick. A simple batter takes only five minutes to measure out and whisk up.

(B thinks this picture is unappealing, but I think it is very representative and thus worth including.) Then, a few more minutes on the stove, with plenty of butter in the frying pan, to ensure slightly crispy edges. (Aside: I love my Scanpan an irrational amount.)

Sometimes at this point, when they look so convincingly done, I think of that scene in one of the Ramona Quimby books when her parents are fighting, and her family isn't doing well economically, and for some reason they have pancakes for dinner one night. Ramona's really excited because pancakes for dinner sounds so exotic, but then her dad tells her mom that they're not done, and her mom says they are, and then her dad slices one open with the spatula and batter oozes out, because he was right and they really aren't done. Her mom storms off, and Ramona's almost as sad as the time when she had to use all the toothpaste that she squeezed out into the sink. Never fear, though, these are rather thin silver-dollar pancakes, and they are always done when they look done! Also, don't worry about Ramona and her parents; it all ends up working out by the end of the book (I can't quite remember--it may even be by the end of the chapter; would that all our current economic woes were to resolve so handily).

While the pancakes are frying, slice up some berries and lightly sugar them. Serve the pancakes with plenty of maple syrup on the side. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Pancakes
Serves: 2 (if one of them is a big eater like B); makes about 25 silver-dollar pancakes

Time: 20 min active and total

1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus extra butter to grease frying pan
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until dry ingredients are completely incorporated. Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat. When hot, grease pan with an extra 1/2 T. of butter. Pour a generous tablespoon of batter into the pan to make each pancake. Cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until bubbles appear on the top and the bottom is browned around the edges, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Repeat with remaining batter, making sure to grease the pan each time.

P.S. A post titled "Lazy Sunday" wouldn't be complete without a link to this. Or, for you West-Coasters, this.