Episode 92: Buckwheat

Surprisingly little talk of Eddie Murphy on this buckwheat-centric episode. Buckwheat for dinner? Yes! For dessert? Yes! As a hearty, toasted breakfast cereal? Well, how Dickensian do you want to get? Recipes: Kasha, Buckwheat Waffles, Nibby Buckwheat Butter Cookies, Soba with Peanut-Citrus Sauce, Buckwheat Pancakes. spilledmilkpodcast.com

Kasha Breakfast PorridgeBuckwheat wafflesNibby Buckwheat Butter Cookies‎Soba with Peanut-Citrus SauceThe New Steak

BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES

2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour1/3 cup buckwheat flour2 tsp. granulated sugar½ tsp. salt½ tsp. baking powder¼ tsp. baking soda¾ cup buttermilk¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. milk (preferably not low- or nonfat)1 large egg, separated2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightlyVegetable oil or more melted butter, for greasing the griddlePure maple syrup, for serving

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, sugar, salt, bakingpowder, and baking soda. Set aside.

Pour the buttermilk and milk into a medium bowl. Whisk the egg whiteinto the milk mixture. In a small bowl, use a fork to beat the yolkwith the melted butter. Stir the yolk mixture into the milk mixture.Pour the wet ingredients into dry ingredients all at once, and whiskuntil just combined. Do not overmix.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet or griddle – preferably nonstick oranodized aluminum – over medium-high heat. Brush the skilletgenerously with oil or melted butter. To make sure it’s hot enough,wet your fingers and sprinkle a few droplets of water onto the pan.If they sizzle, you’re ready to go.

Ladle the batter in scant ¼-cupfuls into the skillet, making sure notto overcrowd. When the bottom side of the pancakes is nicely brownedand the top starts to bubble and look set around the edges, about 2 to3 minutes, flip the pancakes. Cook until the second side has browned,about 1 to 2 minutes more.

Re-oil the skillet and repeat for the next batch of pancakes. If youfind that they are browning too quickly in subsequent batches, dialthe heat back to medium.

Serve the pancakes warm, with maple syrup.

Yield: 8-10 pancakes