Sunday, August 31, 2008

I'll Make You [Chocolate] Pancakes, Pretend Like it's the Weekend...


Sunday is one of the few days that I involve the oven/stovetop in my breakfast preparations. I'm more of a night time cooker--for various reasons.

I actually love breakfast foods. I think they're best prepared on lazy weekends and for evening meals. I've heard there are people out there that don't fall victim to the spell of pancakes, waffles, hash browns, bacon, omelets, french toast, cinnamon toast, fresh orange juice, muffins in varying flavors and nutrition levels, flavored syrups, need I go on? Breakfast foods are the simplest preparation for the greatest satisfaction. I must not be the only person in love with this genre of food or we wouldn't see nearly so many Denny's, IHOP's or Waffle Houses dotting the country--and those are subpar at best.

This morning was going to be a pancake breakfast. Nothing too fancy, but my regular recipe was ruined by my own frequent use and some errant drips that stuck the recipe to another page and ripped the ingredient list to shreds. I don't like those Bisquick pancakes. They're such a poor imitation. Growing up my grandma never one time made me pancakes from a mix. She only does them from scratch and boy are they de-lish!

Since my regular recipe had gone the way of the Earth, I had to find another recipe. Enter the chocolate pancake recipe. It still has all the healthfulness that a regular pancake can provide (as my grandma would be quick to cite butter was a member of the dairy group and all-purpose flour as a member of the grain family). It just adds a little bit of cocoa to make chocolate pancakes!!!

My kids love pancakes and when I asked them if they'd like chocolate pancakes, it was a bit like asking them if they'd like me to take them to Disneyland. Owen started chanting, "Chocolate cake, chocolate cake, chocolate cake!" and I was left remembering the Bill Cosby routine where his children championed him with, "Dad is great! Give us the chocolate cake!"

I probably should've put raspberries, strawberries or a banana as a garnish, but I didn't. The kids were in heaven and Owen even requested a leftover pancake for lunch. Children after my own heart--obsessed with chocolate and sweets.
***Editor's Note: Is the lighting in that picture of Ryanna just awesome? (I have to point that out because my pictures always look so completely subpar next to so many of my amazing picture taking blogger friends. That's right and only 4.0 megapixels to work with.)

10 comments:

Lara Neves said...

This is why when it's my turn to make dinner I often resort to "breakfast for dinner." Okay, so sometimes that's cold cereal, but it's usually pancakes or french toast or something.

peachytiffers said...

My family always says that line from Bill Cosby! That's so funny, because every time I bring that up to people, they don't know what I'm talking about. That picture does look really great! I'm like you, a little intimidated by everyone else's great photography skills. :)

Lacey said...

Hmmm...chocolate pancakes!

P.S- You have good lighting at your kitchen window...you should take more pictures there...nothing like some natural light!!

Hope you guys enjoyed the game....sadly, we knew the score out in the woods!

Lacey said...

Christopher does a great Bill Cosby Jello Pudding...it's pretty funny!

Heather said...

Yet another reason we could be sisters. I LOVE breakfast foods too! I actually like them better for dinner though :) I just can't eat that much when I first wake up.. but I could eat breakfast every day for dinner and not get sick of it. We had french toast for dinner on Friday. mmmmmm.

You forgot about Village Inn!! :) they make a fabulous french toast.. and the people watching can go on for hours and hours! wow.

Those chocolate pancakes look yummy.

and I don't know if I already told you this or not but your blog is WAY adorable. love it.

Mariley Johnson said...

You know, I always love making chocolate chip pancakes, but have never thought of just chocolate pancakes. Please share the recipe! And yes, that is a very fabulous lighting!

Brittany and Scott said...

i LOVE breakfast food too!!! the chocolate pancakes look delicious. and i love the bill cosby "chocolate cake" skit!!

Heather said...

I'm waiting for the recipe sister! Those looked great!

Jessica Martiele said...

Yuuuuummm, and fabulous Ryanna photo, true, but the best part was the Cosby reference. That makes me feel LESS old when someone else finds it memorable, so thanks! :)

bloggingchristy said...

I LOVE that you mentioned the Bill Cosby Chocolate Cake sketch I say that all the time at my house!! it is one of my all time favorite things!!

Are you on good reads? I'd like to see your views on books because yo read so much. Let me know!