by Judy Ann Davis
Pancakes have existed since prehistoric
times. They are round, flat cakes prepared from a thick batter made of flour,
milk, and eggs as well as other ingredients like corn and potatoes. Cooked in
oil in a frying pan or on a griddle, they are made in almost all countries of our world—from the delicate French dessert crepes to the hearty ones served for
breakfast with eggs and sausage. The first pancakes made in the United States
were called griddle cakes, flapjacks, and Johnny cakes. There is a national
holiday in the United States for the recognition of pancakes in November.
In Poland, potato pancakes known as
Latke and Nalesniki Ziemniaczane, are very popular. Traditionally, they are
eaten on Fridays as a meat substitute for Catholics and often consumed during
Lent.
POLISH POTATO PANCAKES
4 large potatoes (russet, Idaho, and golden
potatoes work well)
1 small onion
1 egg
tsp. salt
black pepper to taste
2-4 TBSPs flour
(2 cups vegetable oil for frying)
3 tsp. butter
Turn oven range onto low, about 200 degrees
F or 95 degrees C. [This is needed
to keep the pancakes hot while frying
the entire mixture.]
Finely grate potatoes with onion into a
large bowl and drain, squeezing out the liquid.
Beat eggs in a bowl and add to potato
mixture along with salt and pepper.
Add enough flour to make mixture thick.
(2-4 TBSPs)
Heat ¼ inch oil in bottom of skillet
over medium heat and add a teaspoon of butter
Drop two or three mounds into hot oil. Flatten to make 1/2 inch thick pancakes.
Fry until golden brown, turning once.
Drain on paper towel-lined plate and
keep warm in low oven until ready to serve.
Continue until all the potato mixture is
used, adding more butter with oil
as needed to fry entire amount.
VARIATIONS: Serve with eggs and sausage.
Serve alone as a meal. Top with sour cream, or
applesauce or cranberry sauce. These are
also served with melted cheese or meat and fish
mixtures on top.
In my novel, “Willie, My Love,” to be released April 15th,
the heroine is eating a pancake on her birthday:
EXCERPT:
Jonathan found
her at the table hacking a flapjack into a million pieces. It didn't take any
more brains than an earthworm to see she was in the vilest of moods for someone
about to celebrate her twenty-fourth birthday. Following his explicit orders,
no one from the entire household staff had made mention of it, and she was
moping.
Whistling merrily, Jonathan dropped into
a seat facing her.
 |
| Release Date: April 15 |
A smile ruffled his handsome face.
“You're just in a poor mood because you didn't find your birthday presents we
stashed in the stables. Everyone knows you've tipped this house upside down in
search of them. Think all that sugar might help your disposition?”
“I should have known,” she sputtered,
coming to her feet, “only buzzard bait like you would stoop to such a childish
trick.” An unexpected stir of excitement rose inside her. “So what are we
waiting for?”
He followed her out into the summer
sunshine. The first rays of dawn had already burned off the dew from underfoot.
The doors to the stables were flung open, and he had to quicken his pace to
keep up with her.
“I guess in all fairness, I should show
you where we hid them.” Inside the barn, he led her past Silver Cloud's stall
to one at the far end of the stables. Her eyes sparkled luminously when she saw
a pure white horse, prancing in the stall, still uneasy with its new
surroundings. His coat glistened like new snow in the slanted sunlight
filtering through the stable windows.
She was so shocked, she could only
stare.
“Happy birthday.” He leaned a shoulder
against the stall. “A new saddle from the staff is arriving from Maryland next
week. I ordered it special to fit the mount.”
“Oh, Jonathan, he’s beautiful. Thank
you.” She blinked back a tear.
No one had ever given her such a splendid gift since the day she received her first horse.
No one had ever given her such a splendid gift since the day she received her first horse.
https://www.amazon.com/Willie-Love-Judy-Ann-Davis-ebook/dp/B07P87GNCZ/
