Okay, so maybe you forgot to bake the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake? Instead, how about some simple sourdough pancakes? You can serve them as traditional breakfast pancakes with syrup and/or fruit or top them with savory foods like creamed chicken and mushrooms. Either way, the pancakes are good and reasonably healthy (as long as you don't dump lots of syrup on them and slather them with butter because it is, after all, "fat" Tuesday). I make my pancakes with a rye sourdough starter, but any starter will do. I also let my batter sit out overnight, because I think the wait results in lighter, tastier pancakes. Nonetheless, the overnight stint isn't strictly necessary, because the pancakes are leavened with baking soda. So, what if you don't want to make Fat Tuesday pancakes tonight? No problem. They'll be great any day of the week. The pancakes are filled with whole grains, and will be light, fluffy, and delicious.
Shrove, "Fat" Tuesday Sourdough Pancakes -- Makes Plenty!
1 cup of starter (I use rye-based)
2 cups of low-fat milk
2 eggs
1/4 cup of canola oil
1/4 cup of dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of white whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
In a large bowl, whisk together the starter, milk, eggs, canola oil, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in the all-purpose flour, then stir in the white whole-wheat flour with a spoon. Optimally, cover the batter and let it sit out overnight in a cool kitchen (or refrigerate it overnight, if your kitchen is warm). When you're ready to bake the pancakes--which can be immediately, if you don't want to let the batter sit overnight--stir in the salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and coat it with non-stick cooking spray or mist it with a little oil. When the pan is hot, pour out about 1/4 cup portions of the batter to form pancakes. When bubbles form on the top of the pancakes, flip them and cook the other side for a minute or so. Serve the pancakes hot with the topping of your choice.
