Bread – Charlie's Perfect Pancakes

Contributed by:

Allison Knight

(AllisonKnight.com)

Medieval Romance

The Story behind the recipe - At one time Dad owned a restaurant. Our big, blond, blue-eyed chef was from northern Italy and a fabulous cook. He never allowed us in his kitchen but when he learned I had started to cook he gave me the recipe for his pancakes. He insisted the griddle or skillet be hot enough to make a drop of water dance for at least three seconds; less than three, the skillet was too hot, more than three, the skillet was not hot enough. I've been making these pancakes now for more years than I want to count. Pancakes would never have been served in medieval times because the ingredients were too precious to use for breaking a person's fast. They ate leftovers from the day before.

What you'll need - The following ingredients make 8-12 pancakes depending on size

- A large skillet or a griddle, 2 cups all purpose flour

- 3 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 3 large eggs

- 3 Tablespoons sugar. 2 cups of milk (2% works well)

- 1/4 cup (4 Tablespoons) melted shortening (I use vegetable oil)

Steps in the process

- Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together in a large bowl.

- Beat eggs in a separate bowl until frothy.

- Add milk to eggs

- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in egg/milk mixture.

- Add cool melted shortening

- Stir the mixture until all the lumps are gone and batter is smooth.

- Heat skillet/griddle until water dances 3 seconds.

- Spoon about 1/4 - 1/3 cup mixture onto griddle/skillet. When bubble appear over 3/4 of surface flip. - Cook on the second side for about one minute.

- Turn the pancake only once. Serve hot, dotted with butter and your favorite syrup, or topping.

Blurb from WINDSONG - Alwyn ab Brynn Ffrydd wants revenge against a powerful Baron without losing his king's support. What better way to exact revenge than to kidnap the Baron's long time mistress? But she is not what he thinks she is. Shy, unworldly Milisent Mortimore has been confined for nine years by a brother who now demands she agree to wed a cruel, heartless man. Thanks to her father's will, she has the right to choose her mate or her spouse will lose her inheritance.

When Alwyn kidnaps her, desires flare and together they must struggle against the treachery of Alwyn's current mistress, her brother and the man he wants her to marry. In defying all three, Alwyn places his life at risk. Milisent saves him from certain death and together they celebrate their life of love.