With Father's Day weekend upon us, I have been thinking a lot about all the fathers in my life. I have a little something planned for my father, here in this space, on the actual day. I will likely share a bit of our celebrating the father of this little family, next week. But today, it seems fitting to get warmed up with a few words about my Grandfathers, they did come earlier in the line of these wonderful fathers after all.
My Grandpa Earl and my Grandpa Joe were very different men, one quite tall, one not quite, one on the soft spoken side one really not. But for all their differences, that made them unique characters, there were some traits they had in common. Both were bright, inventive, nature loving fishermen, and wonderful dedicated fathers of three, and both hold very special places in my heart.
My Grandpa Earl loved ice cream. I remember my small child-size self gazing into the extra freezer for what seemed like a long time, freezing air billowing out and around me, while I tried to decide on a flavor for the night. Grandpa's freezer was always well stocked and I don't think he ever went a night without his ice cream for dessert. I, too, love ice cream!
My Grandpa Joe loved to make pancakes, I think he loved to eat them as well, but that is not the memory. The memory is Grandpa making the pancakes, with Grandma by his side of course. When visiting, I would lay sleepily waiting for the sound and smell of pancakes cooking, before I would stumble down the hall in the morning. Grandpa always chuckled, in his boisterous way, about how I waited until breakfast was cooking to rise and shine. I can still smell the frying pan cooking and hear the sizzling pan and a loud "morning Toot!" as I entered the kitchen looking for my pancakes.
I, too, love pancakes! When the boys were a bit younger, and our days a bit slower, I would make pancakes almost every morning. Gavin would help me mix and baby Chaz would fall asleep on my shoulder as I fried and flipped the cakes.
It seems to me that I have connected to those I love through food. Through food I keep so many wonderful memories close at heart, and active in my daily life. I can hear the voices of my Grandfathers, smell their kitchens, taste their creations, and transport myself back to a special time so easily, all with a scoop of ice cream or bite of pancake.
Some special recipes have changed or been temporarily discontinued until a gluten free modification can be created, but the intent is still alive and well. Today, I want to share a recipe for a nutritious buttermilk pancake recipe I cooked up just the other day. I hope you enjoy it with someone you love and create memories of your own right there in the kitchen.
Buckwheat Buttermilk Pancakes:
-3 Tablespoons melted butter
-2 cups buttermilk
-2 eggs
(mix above wet ingredients together in a large bowl)
-1 cup buckwheat flour
-1/2 cup teff flour
-1/2 cup rice flour
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/2 teaspoon guar gum
-1/2 cup organic cane sugar
-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
whisk the dry ingredients together and combine with wet ingredients. Take care not to over mix. Fry on medium heat, turning once. Makes approximately 8 - 6" cakes! Serve with strawberry jam in the spring, applesauce in the fall or maple syrup any time. Enjoy!
Note: these are by no means a gluten free version of "Grandpa Joe's Pancakes" for those who are familiar, I will have to share that re-creation once I am able to dream it up. For now, may you enjoy wonderful memories, and create new ones in your kitchen this weekend.
