Pancake Sunday - Banana Yogurt Edition

A while ago I started making pancakes for Toby and I (me?) on Sundays.  It's a favorite thing of mine.  It kind of fizzled out a bit now that the girls are in to everything.  Today I'm bringing pancakes back (sing that a la Justin Timberlake). 

Via Weelicious, I was reminded how versatile pancakes are.  She has so many variations.  I grabbed our trusty copy of Joy of Cooking and got moving.  The additions really worked nicely.  I hope you've made pancakes before.  It's helpful to know how you like your batter.  My mom always like batters really thin for pancakes.  I like them a bit thicker, but not as thick as some recipes call for.  That's why there's no real measurement for the milk here.  You add enough to get the consistency that you like.

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients:

1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 tsp double-acting baking powder

In a separate container combine:
2 large eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup plain non fat yogurt
a splash of milk
splash of vanilla extract
dash of cinnamon

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and add milk a splash at a time until you get the right consistency.  Mash up some bananas and stir that into the mix.  I ended up using three smallish bananas.  I'm very exacting about this recipe, no?  I think I will add some walnuts next time.  These turned out really moist.  I cooked them in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Really, the dial was set just lower than medium.  I have a tendency to rush things and burn the pancakes.  While they cooked I did the dishes and tidied the kitchen.  I also chased two toddlers around.  Calliope insists that she has a bee in her ear today.  Swim ear? 

What were the girls doing while I cooked?  They watched some Dora and ate cookies.  I don't do it often, but sometimes I honor Grandma P's memory and give the girls cookies for breakfast.  Ok, I give them oatmeal cookies for breakfast a lot.  It's no worse than the sugar cereals and donuts available. 

 Yes, they are on the counter.  That's how I get some cooking done.  They will sit and watch for ages on the counter. 

 Yum!  Pancakes fresh off the skillet...well, after a few minutes.  I never know how many a recipe will make because we eat them as they are done.

I'd love to know if you try these and if they work out for you.  Happy Pancake Sunday!

Meet Calliope

This is Calliope.  We call her Calli.  She'll tell you she's Calli.  Sometimes she'll joke around, but she always lets you know in the end.  It's easy to tell because usually she says, "I Mommy" or "I Nana" if she's joking.  Thalia is a little tricksy on that one.

Calli is a goofball.  She is silly and crazy and just a little chimpanzee.   She is very sad that these glasses don't fit anymore - not even when they're upside down.

Calli can be ornery.  Really, really ornery.

Calli might be stubborn, but she's is also a sensitive and sweet little girl.  She loves hugs.  She loves her sister.  She is always there to kiss Thalia's boo-boos.

Meet Thalia

Thalia introduces herself to everybody now.  I think it may be a response to people asking "Which one is this?"  Really, people? Which "one"?  They're little people.  They know their names.  Just ask.

This is my sweet Thalia.  She's a thinker.  You can see it happening.

She's curious and all about exploring.

She loves her "rabbit bunny".  She hugged that bunny like a long lost friend the very first time Aunt Angie gave it to her.  She's very, very talkative.  She likes to make up songs.  When Thalia dances, her hips shake like a little hula girl.  She introduces Calli like this: "This my sister friend."

I love her to bits and pieces.  She is so special in all her Thalia ways.