Bruce Paltrow's Buttermilk Pancakes

I am always on the lookout for the perfect pancake recipe.  

I like pancakes made from scratch--I'm not a fan of Bisquik.

But if you are, we can still be friends.

I'll just win you over to my side when I find that perfect recipe.

When.

I'm still looking.

Because, despite a lengthy search, the perfect pancake remains elusive.

Actually, I have found a "healthy" pancake recipe I like.  

They are especially good on a cool morning when you want something with a little more substance to start your day.  (read more here)

But I am still hunting for "treat" pancakes.

You know the kind you eat for breakfast on Saturday morning, preferably with bacon, when getting a healthy start to the day is not really a part of the experience?

So you can imagine my excitement when I read about Bruce Paltrow's Famous Buttermilk Pancakes.

Bruce Paltrow being Gwyneth Paltrow's father and his pancake recipe being, in my eyes, one of the most important in her cookbook.

(see my review of her cookbook here.)

I think her cookbook is so much more than just a cookbook.

It is really a memoir to her dad.

In fact, my favorite part about her cookbook was reading about her and her father.

The story of their last meal together brought tears to my eyes.

I loved the way he talked to her about what he'd learned in life, how much he loved being her father and that his only regret in life was that he had not had more children.

I could not help thinking of my own dad as I read.

Not every daughter is fortunate enough to have a deep and meaningful relationship with their dad.

I am a fortunate one.

My dad is, and always has been, one of my heroes.

I fully understand Gwyneth's desire to remember her father and share him somehow with the world.

These pancakes, the ones he perfected over years, are a very sweet way to do that.

Don't you think he'd like to know that there are lots of us standing over the stove on a Saturday morning, flipping his pancakes for our family?

A sweet remembrance indeed.

Here's the deal with these pancakes.

They're buttermilk.  

That means they have a tang.

And even if you think you won't like that, you should still give them a try.

Because that tang is good.

Here's another thing about these pancakes, they're easy.

You mix them up the night before, cover them, and let them sit in the fridge until morning.

It takes 5 minutes.  Maybe less.

(a word on the "sitting out".  the recipe does not say sit out in the fridge. it just says sit overnight.  am I a complete moron because I wasn't sure if that meant sit out on the counter or sit out in the fridge?  maybe I am.  in the end, I think fridge is the way to go--there is butter and milk in there)

I love waking up knowing that most of my work is done and a hot breakfast awaits.
Hot, homemade breakfasts really make me feel good.

When you uncover your batter it will look like this: bubbly and rather thick.

You add a bit more milk to get it to the consistency you like.

I like thinner pancakes, so I added more milk.

Next time I think I'll add a bit less because they were a touch too thin this time.

Then you oil up your griddle and go.

(one of my most favorite things about my old stove--my griddle.  it makes me happy every time I use it)

I failed to get a luscious picture of these cakes: one with butter and maple syrup dripping down the sides.
Sometimes my kids get impatient with all my picture taking and just want to eat.
Besides, I was flipping pancakes, frying bacon and eggs, making coffee and carting it all out to the patio.
I had my hands full.
But you get the idea.

And I assure you, they are good pancakes.

Everyone ate them and approved.

If that doesn't get you to give them a try yourself, then nothing will.

The recipe makes a lot of cakes.  Especially if you thin the batter down like I did.

I'm going to work on it a bit to make it my own.

And maybe someday they'll be Greta's famous pancakes, as inspired by Bruce Paltrow.

And my kids will remember me standing over the old, white stove, flipping pancakes on a Saturday morning.

It's not a bad thing to aspire to.

Because good food is a good thing to pass on.

Hope you give these a try.

Happy eating!

Love from, 

Greta

Get the recipe HERE

I was going to be all professional and type the full recipe for you.

But I have done most of this post one-handed while nursing a baby, late at night, so I am just giving you the link right now.

Sometimes I just have to take the easy way out, you know?

Go check it out and make some cakes this weekend!