Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for April 01, 2003

Laura Roberts’ Rock Island Road Pancakes (passed down to Herman, then to me; errors are my own. Sunday morning, Dad’s cooking.)

1 cup all-purpose flour1 tsp salt1 tsp sugar1 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp baking soda1 egg1 cup milk or buttermilk (sour; fresh can substitute, add 1 Tbsp white vinegar)1 Tbsp oil (peanut, canola preferred)

Start griddle heating first, right when a few drops of water dance on the surface.

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly, stir in milk, then egg, then oil; a few small lumps are OK, but scavenge corners of dry clumps, don’t over-stir.

Old cast-iron griddles have thermal mass to keep a steady temperature while cooking. Pinch a folded paper towel with a hint of oil to wipe down between batches. Once bubbles form at edges and open, it’s time to turn. I can put four 4-inch cakes on ours. This makes about eight, so I’ll make a double batch, butter them all, and zipper-bag with patty paper between the rest when cool, freeze for that busy morning. Save the money you didn’t spend at IHOP, splurge it on real maple syrup; worth every penny.