National Pancake Day, September 26th

Pancakes are a staple of American cuisine,

and as Wayne Gruehn, feature editor of the Elm in 1954, reports in his article “How to be a cowboy,” pancake mix and instant coffee are absolutely a necessity for “quick meals on the range.”  

Meanwhile, Helen Avalynne Tawes, of Crisfield, Maryland, has a simple, universal recipe for “hot cakes,” or pancakes. The ingredients are pantry staples, but the facing page includes additional comments. First, the recipe is for thick hot cakes, but she much prefers them thinner. Second, part of the appeal of pancakes is their eye-catching appearance, and the trick to achieving that is maintaining the perfect temperature of the griddle. Third, “new-fangled” aluminum pans are wholly unsuitable. Stick with the old-fashioned heavy cast-iron pans. Fourth, baked, not fried, but bacon grease is the real magic. And finally, make the batter the night before and refrigerate it for optimal results.  

On this, the auspicious last Friday in September, or as some would call it “National Pancake Day,” do enjoy a stack of comforting pancakes.