Banana Pancakes

After watching a program on TV about a guy getting kidnapped and being held hostage for ransom and almost starving to death, and after finally getting back home to his wife, the first thing he wanted to eat was his wife’s banana pancakes.  Made me hungry for banana pancakes so here is a stack of deliciousness.

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 small, over-ripe banana, peeled
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Butter
• Vegetable oil

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork until almost smooth.  Whisk in the eggs, then add the milk and vanilla and whisk until well blended.  Pour the banana mixture and the melted butter into the flour mixture.  Fold the batter gently with a rubber spatula until just blended; do not over-mix. The batter will be thick and lumpy.

Set a griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat until hot.  Put a pad of butter and one tablespoon vegetable oil onto the griddle, and swirl it around  Drop the batter by 1/4-cupfuls onto the griddle, spacing the pancakes about 2 inches apart.  Cook until a few holes form on top of each pancake and the underside is golden brown, about 2 minutes.  Flip the pancakes and cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is puffed, 1 to 2 minutes more.  Using the spatula, transfer the pancakes to a serving plate.

Wipe the griddle clean with paper towels, add more butter and oil, and repeat with the remaining batter.  Serve the pancakes while still hot with maple syrup, sliced bananas and confections’ sugar if desired.

Makes 12 4-inch pancakes.

“The wonder of creation causes us to say, “What a wonderful God!”