Celebrate Father's Day with Pancakes.

So my honey is not home this fathers day, but that isn't going to stop the pancakes from flowing. My dear husband LOVES pancakes. Actually, love may not correctly describe the way he feels about pancakes. He would die for pancakes, go to war for pancakes. His very purpose for being in Afghanistan now just might be to bring democracy and pancakes to the people of Afghanistan. Knowing this, I have accumulated about a quadrillion pancake recipes. Blueberry, banana nut, pumpkin pie, oatmeal and sour cream pancakes just to name a few. Of course, his favorite are the plain old variety with a little melted butter and warmed maple syrup, bacon on the side and don't you dare forget the coffee.

The humble pancake is one of the most versitle things you can pour onto a griddle. They can be super healthy by using whole wheat flour, buckwheat, flaxseed and almond milk. I think it goes without saying that they can be super indulgent as well. In the beginning they can be a little intimidating. If your griddle isn't just the right temp the cakes will stick or even worse, BURN. Over mix your batter and they will be tough. Make them too big and they are cooked on the edges but gloppy in the center. With a little practice you can be a pancake connoisseur too.

1) Find a good recipe. No Bisquick please.

2) Prepare batter. Get two bowls, in one mix the dry ingredients in the other mix the wet. Make a well with the dry ingredients. (push the flour and stuff around the sides of the bowl making a little well in the middle.) If your recipe calls for eggs beat them first. They mix easier that way. Pour wet stuff into the dry stuff. Whisk well. DO NOT OVER MIX. It's okay to have a few small lumps, small like the size of a pea.

3) Heat the griddle. After about 5 minutes drop a little water on it. If it just sort of slides around it's too cold. If it evaporates it's too hot. You want the water to sizzle and jump.

4) Grease the cooking surface. I don't care if you have non-stick cookware; GREASE IT. If you are being indulgent go for the butter, if healthy use the smart balance...go for the butter. Do not use the spray stuff is junks up your cookware.

5) Cook. Pour about 1/4th cup of batter onto griddle. The great thing about pancakes is they tell you when they want to be flipped. Look for the bubbles on top. Once you see 10 or so flip them. You must have a sturdy spatula. Those flimsy little plastic things will do nothing but ruin your whole day. Cook for just a few more minutes. When you see steam they are done, if you see smoke; start over.

6) Butter them, stack 'em up and pour it on (the syrup that is). Enjoy!