My Dad has the hands that feed. My Mom can make a bundt cake that might make you want to slap your Grandma, but Dad has the love for cooking. You can tell whether or not someone loves cooking by observing a few simple movements: the way they look at ingredients and the way they stir a pot. My Dad will look at an unrolled pie crust like he’s looking at a newborn baby. He stirs a pot of his famous spaghetti sauce like he’s melting down gold. Not one ounce of that affection for food was lost on me growing up in his kitchen.
But there’s a problem. As much as I adore sitting down to a plate full of food, I rarely if ever finish everything on my plate. I always leave at least a bite or two untouched. Why? I have a theory. It’s solid.
My love for food is rivaled only by my father’s love for food. Let’s face it, the man can eat circles around me. Sitting to the left of my Dad at the dinner table for 18 years was a heroing (ok, I’m totally exaggerating) task. Without fail, I would get down to my last few bites of food, I might take a moment, set down my fork, relax, have a sip of juice, all perfectly normal dining practices. In those moments, my Dad would look over, with an irresistable smile on his face and say, “You need help finishing that?”
Whether of not I ever needed assistance finishing the food on my plate, I don’t remember, but my Dad always, always ate the last few bites on my plate. After a few years of this sort of training, I suppose I just started leaving food on my plate for him to finish. There were exceptions of course, anything involving french fries, ice cream or pancakes were mine all mine.
Don’t get me wrong. I certainly didn’t go hungry. I simply learned to put more on my plate than I could eat, knowing my Dad would eagerly finish my scraps.
These days, I don’t get to share a dinner table with my parents every night, but I still manage to leave a few bites on food untouched on my plate. I do love to talk my Dad into making Saturday morning pancakes. By the time I make the spontaneous call and drive the 30 minutes to their house, the pancakes are already half way to the skillet. One thing is for sure, on pancake mornings, I finish my plate all on my own, and sometime even cast a longing look at my Dad’s plate. Funny how that works.
Dad’s “Clean Your Plate” Buttermilk Pancakes
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Whisk together milk, eggs and vegetable oil in a medium bowl, then whisk in the butter.
Stir together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in another medium bowl. Whisk in egg mixture until combined.
Spray a griddle or skillet with nonstick vegetable spray. Working in batches of 3 (or 6 if your griddle will allow) pour 1/3-cup measures of batter onto skillet and cool until bubbles have formed on the top and sides of the pancakes and broken, about 2 minutes. Flip pancakes with a spatula and cook until undersides are golden, about 1 minute more. Lower heat if pancakes brown too quickly. Serve with maple syrup or molasses.
I think it’s amazing that so many of you have fond memories of this salt shaker. I know that it’s been in our family kitchen for as long as I can remember. Funny what fond memories you share with strangers!
August 17th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Ah, how cute! I love that you have pictures of your dad making pancakes.
August 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Oh, I love pictures of a man cooking for those he loves =). Bookmarking this pancake recipe!!
PS - Your parents’ kitchen cabinets are gorgeous.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
I DO love the salt shaker! I wonder if my mom and dad still use theirs…
August 17th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
My parents still use that salt shaker! It’s older than me!
August 17th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Quaint world this…love your father making those beautfiul pancakes with so much love & concentration. How sweet that you almost always leave a bit for him on your plate. What a Joy you are!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 12:14 am
So beautifully written and photographed! Looking forward to trying the pancakes on our next pancake morning
K x
August 18th, 2008 at 2:42 am
I love love love your blog Joy! I’m not sure how I found it but I check it every day, it’s now my new favourite!
I’m starting a blog too but it’s still being designed. I too have an all consuming passion for baking and thanks to you, it just keeps growing
August 18th, 2008 at 3:29 am
For many years, I had that same Tupperware salt shaker, which I got from my former mother-in-law, who’d had it for 50 years, I think. Those things are indestructible! When I saw the photo of your dad’s, I was struck in my stomach with a pang of remembering my mother-in-law filling hers. It is funny how such small objects hold so much memory. You and your dad are both very lucky people.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:13 am
My father makes the most awesome buttermilk biscuits. I’m a daddy’s girl, too. Aren’t we blessed?
Thanks for this beautiful blog entry.
The pancakes look fabulous, too. *smile*
August 18th, 2008 at 5:32 am
Slap my grandmother? That must be some kind of cake, ’cause my grandmother was a pretty great gal. Actually, both she and my grandfather are the ones that developed my love of cooking - they both could do great things in the kitchen and always involved me growing up. Now with an 18-month old daughter, I’m eagerly awaiting the day she wants to work with me in the kitchen - for now, she’ll settle for throwing our oven mitts and dish towels all over the kitchen floor. We all would do well to remember that the little things that seem routine to us can be life changing events for those peeking up at us or sharing our table. Great post.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:15 am
What a wonderful memory of your dad. I can’t wait to try these. I’d love the bundt bake recipes too!
August 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Loved this post, Joy! Your father’s pancakes look like ones I would eat all up and then ask for more
August 18th, 2008 at 7:10 am
The pancakes look delicious. Taste even better when made with L-O-V-E!! I remember that salt shaker!
August 18th, 2008 at 7:16 am
I loved your post. My parents amicably divorced when I was young.(they are great friends) My mom made the pancakes, Daddy made the french toast, and Dad (actually Step)made the egg sandwiches. Depending on whose house I was in on Sunday mornings, breakfast was sure to be made with love and the family around. We do weekend breakfasts at home with children,too. On Saturday mornings I make eggs, bacon, and biscuits while on Sunday mornings it’s Dad and his pancakes. Your post reminds me how important this tradtion for the kids…how wonderful a childhood memory for them.
THANKS!
~Ingrid
August 18th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Ah for me..my pops made omelettes. Every holiday my relatives would request his special omellettes and I have no idea how to make them like he did. I miss him!!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:17 am
I have been reading your tasty baking blog for the past few months and find myself looking forward to your next post. I always get hungry reading your blog! This story made me think of a similar tradition…
For me it was the waffle sunday tradition when my Dad would make waffles for the family and any guests that talked him into whipping up a batch. When I lived across town from my parents, I would lay in bed on a Sunday mornings and inevitably my taste-buds craved my Dad’s homemade waffles. On particular instance I called him, and begged in the sweetest way possible for him to make me some. We went back and forth a few times ending with him saying “Come by the house and maybe I’ll make you some.” That was good enough for me, I got over there faster than you can say homemade waffles! I asked about starting the batter and my Dad said that it looked like they were out of flour! I whined and complained that I drove all the way across town for nothing…and he said “Alright, alright! Go get the batter out of the fridge!”
Dad’s are the best aren’t they?
You see my Dad doesn’t follow a recipe and I’m convinced it is never the same unless he makes it. I think it’s because of the one extra special ingredient…LOVE!
Thanks for sharing your stories, recipes, delicious photos, and love for baking it’s inspiring!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
He looks like a pro. Ah, a man in the kitchen. You’re one lucky Daddy’s girl.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
That is awesome and just gave me the most warm fuzzy feeling. It is those kinds of memories and experiences I hope my kids have of me and their their Dad someday. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing (the recipe and especially the story!)
August 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Oh I love your family pictures. How sweet. And it looks like your Dad is in good shape and doesn’t have to worry about calories.
Thanks for sharing; great pics and even better recipe.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Love the story of your Father Joy, its these things that keep a family close. I live six thousand miles away from my kids (they are adults) but cooking for them is what I miss doing most of all. I know they miss it too, my daughter especially talks about it a lot. She is coming to visit us in six weeks I cant wait. Cooking for someone is a true gesture of love.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
What great pictures of you dad! I swear some of the best family memories are made from those Saturday morning pancake (or in my family, waffle) making sessions.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I couldn’t wait to see what the story was behind the hands and I wasn’t disappointed. Your dad looks and sounds like one great guy - how lucky you are to live close enough to get there for pancakes! I too so enjoy your blog - thank you for sharing your dad with us - and all your other great stories. You have such a talent for making us feel like we’re there with you. The picture of the salt shaker brought back memories too…I think we all had those!
August 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I knew there was a reason I liked your dad.
Thanks for the birthday shout out. When can we come to your folks’ place for breakfast?
August 18th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
This is so sweet! I love breakfast with my Daddy, too. Except I like being the one who makes it. Thank you for making me think of him tonight! (And for making me think of his sister, one of my dearest aunts, with the salt shaker photo! It sat on the back of her magic chef stove for as long as I can remember. smiling)
August 19th, 2008 at 1:18 am
just a sec…. *skips to the kitchen and throws the betty crocker pancake mix into trash can* .. *skips back to beloved laptop to print recipe*
August 19th, 2008 at 8:01 am
I wake up in the morning and check your blog before going for my run. Way to nudge in there and change my habits. I love being part of your world it looks so simple from here- wholesome food made with love. Thanks for sharing.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Buttermilk pancakes…my favorite!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:45 am
My greatest memories are with my dad in the kitchen. We had so much fun cooking and baking together when I was young. We don’t live close now, but when I go home we always go on baking marathons!
I can’t wait to try these pancakes!
August 19th, 2008 at 9:02 am
My husband just decided he was going to learn to make “real” pancakes and has now perfected them. I hope our future children have the same wonderful memories that you have of sharing that meal with your dad.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am
These pancakes look great, I’m always looking for tasty variations.
That said, my parents had the same Salt/Pepper shakers when I was growing up (with the same crude letter S and everything), and I have strong memories of them as well!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Wonderful story! Too bad my dad wouldnt finish my food on my plate! I had to sit at the table until EVERYTING was gone! Sometimes I would sit there for hours!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:41 am
As always Joy, my muse, you deliver! BTW..I think at one time or another it was a LAW that someone in the family had those S & P shakers….from good old Tupperware!!!!! They were maybe even a gift for having one of the parties!!! LMAO…you always make me smile, and your dad is a hunk! Lucky mom!!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Your dad is so adorable! I love the serious look on his face in the second picture. Clearly, making the perfect pancakes require one’s full concentration. :o)
August 19th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
great photos and amazing post!! I don’t think I’d have any trouble finishing up those pancakes either : )
August 19th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Oooh, we had those same Tupperware salt and pepper shakers when I was growing up! Mom still has them in her cooking cabinet, I do believe.
I love having a good recipe for buttermilk pancakes. I have buttermilk in the fridge right now and I’m thinking these would make a great dinner one night this week! Thanks to your dad for sharing his recipe with us!
August 19th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
In my house, pretty much anything that my mom makes is amazing. However, in terms of breakfast, two things stick out; Christmas morning breakfast that my mom makes without fail every year and my grandpa’s fried eggs. Christmas morning breakfast is always Pillsbury cinnamon rolls (from a can!) with orange glaze. You know the ones I’m talking about! The thing is, my mom isn’t the best at baking things, she tends to forget about them and they burn (sometimes a lot, sometimes only slightly) so the bottom of the cinnamon buns are always slightly burnt.
But my absolute FAVORITE thing is when I go to my grandparents house, and my grandpa makes me an egg. It’s gotta be the most unhealthy way to cook an egg-fried in a TON of butter with salt and pepper; done in a cast iron grill-but it always tastes amazing. A fried egg and a slice of (white) toast is the perfect breakfast; and ONLY my grandpa can pull it off. Mom tries, but it never ever tastes the same. Maybe it’s the salt shaker? My Nanna and Arnold have the EXACT ones that your dad has Joy! That’s gotta be the secret!
August 20th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Thank you for sharing such a special recipe. I promise to handle this recipe with care and make it with love too!
August 20th, 2008 at 9:21 am
i love that my mom always cooks for me when i go home. as much as i cook and enjoy it, there is nothing like a meal made by your parents.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
While I love all of your posts, I think this one is my favorite. Not so much for the recipe (although you can bet I’ll secretly slip this to the pancake maker in our family - my husband) but for your humor and the outpouring of love you have for your dad. Oh yeah, and pic of the salt shaker sure didn’t hurt!
August 20th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Your dad sounds really neat. I’m going to have to try his pancake recipe.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Wow what a great story! And my mom had the same salt shaker when I was growing up.
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Your daddy is the greatest man ALIVE! Haha! A man who loves to cook is a great thing. He looks like a great guy too.
August 24th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I just made these pancakes for my family, and they were a huge hit! I have received a specific request from all parties (the husband, 9yr, 4yr and 2yr olds) to make my pancakes this way for the rest of eternity - so I think we can safely say that these are the best pancakes on the planet.
Thanks so much for sharing such a meaningful (and popular) recipe - please give our best to your wonderful father!
August 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Finally got around to trying these pancakes today and this is now my favorite pancake recipe. I love how the exterior of the pancakes get crispy! I did have to chuckle when I saw the recipe calls for a stick of butter — made me think of Paula Deen ;-). Thank you and your dad for sharing the recipe.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:41 am
What a beautiful and heartwarming and tummy-filling story! Thanks for sharing it with all of us
Tami
ps I too remember that salt shaker…how funny! What a small world
September 7th, 2008 at 8:59 am
I really wanted pancakes this morning so I thought, “Why not try out the recipe Joy posted?” At first, I was a little disappointed and almost wanted to throw mine out when they didn’t look all that beautiful, but after trying them my mind quickly changed. These pancakes are fantastic! My dad even stole a piece from my scraps and wanted more because he loved them so much! I’m definitely going to be making these again.
Great recipe, Joy. <3
September 13th, 2008 at 3:49 am
hi joy…i just totally luv pancakes and would really like to try ur recipes…however are there any alternatives to buttermilk?…i’m a singaporean and its kinda difficult to find buttermilk in our local stores…hope u can help ;p
September 15th, 2008 at 9:04 am
We just returned from a long vacation (without internet access!!) and while away, I tried these pancakes. Absolutely the best pancakes I’ve ever had (seriously, I’m not kidding here). I’ve always been a little disappointed with pancakes, whether I make them, someone else makes them, or I get them at a restaurant. They always seem to be lifeless, dull, boring, flavorless and far too often, dry. Not so with these. They were light, fluffy, moist and flavorful. I sampled one off the grill and couldn’t stop eating them right off the platter! Amazing. Thanks for the recipe. This is now my go to, default pancake recipe. I just wish I had more time to make hot breakfasts, now I’m craving them again…
September 17th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
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