Happy Be-Lated National Teddy Bear Day-Also Sunday Brunch: Johnny Cakes

 Sunday, September 9, was National Teddy Bear day-so we celebrated with a photo shoot, usually mom never lets us near her Teddy Bears as she is afraid we will rip them to shreds.   (Note-no Teddy Bear's were harmed during this photo shoot although some did a get bit chewed on).   If your pawrents want to make a pup, or kitty, appropriate teddy check out this post.

Since it was  Sunday we had to have a nice pancake breakfast too.   This is really a recipe for the peeps although mom says there is nothing in it to harm a hound, unless you are grain intolerant, so they should slip you are a nibble.  Mom says these are maybe the best pancakes out there, and she LOVES pancakes.  Our Dad loves these too and feels there is no reason to make another pancake recipe, ever.   The recipe is from Nigella Lawson's How To Be a Domestic Goddess  (clearly the first step is to make these pancakes):


 Johnny Cakes (Cornmeal Pancakes)

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp corn meal

1/2 cup flour

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 1/3 cups milk 

2 tbsp melted butter 

More butter for the pan

Bacon and Maple Syrup to Serve

Whisk the dry ingredients together.  Then in another larger bowl whisk the milk and eggs together very well.  Whisk in the dry ingredients, but don't worry about a few lumps.  Finally whisk in the melted butter.   Heat  a skillet over medium high heat and melt about a table spoon of butter in the pan, making sure the pan is completely coated.   Drop the batter in by 1/4 cup fools (Nigella makes these very small, but I like them bigger and it is also easier) cook until vigorous bubbling appears on the surface and then cook for about one minute on the other side).   These pancakes keep well in a warm oven for a few minutes.

Mom here: Unless you are a vegetarian you really should have these with some bacon crosshatched over and a generous pour of Maple Syrup.  To paraphrase Agent Cooper from one of my favorite TV shows, Twin Peaks, "nothing beats the taste sensation when Maple Syrup collides with bacon."