Is making pancakes from scratch worth the effort?

We all love being able to say 'I made it from scratch.' It gives you bragging rights and a little more pride and self-satisfaction. But honestly, there are so many great products on the grocery store shelves, it's not always worth the extra effort. And, in my opinion, in some cases, 'scratch' is not always 'better.' The troops seem to love my Applesauce Pancakes every other Saturday. I let them know they're 'Aunt Jemima' and when I see them gobbled up and how much they love them, my smile is just as wide....and I'm just as proud!

I came across this article on 'store bought' vs. 'scratch' pancake mix and I thought I would pass it along. The answer: "Save yourself the arm workout, because it doesn't seem to make any noticeable difference in pancake fluffiness." 

Link to article: 'Is MakingPancakes From Scratch Worth the Effort?'



8.20.11 ~ Applesauce Pancakes

I ♥ my dishwasher!

There was a lot of excitement this morning at AHOP. I can’t tell you the whole story yet, but soon. My alarm went off at 4:15 a.m. to get ready for the festivities, and there was not a minute to waste on the snooze button. Thank you to all eleven officers who stopped by to support Miss Ann's big day. Below are a few humorous pictures of my kitchen ‘after’ a typical breakfast. 

I (could) stay in the kitchen and clean up along while everyone is gathered at the table, but I choose to visit. Plus, breakfast has to be cooked really fast....there really is no time to clean up. I'm either cooking or visiting.  

You might think clean-up would be a chore -- it's anything but!  It's the time I reflect on the morning -- thinking about the officers who came and what kind of day they'll have, the funny stories, the relaxed atmosphere. It all goes by so fast.

Breakfast is a messy business. My dishwasher will get loaded (3 times) and the kitchen will get cleaned.....after my nap.     

 

Southern Banana Pudding......

I am happy to say my monthly Tuesday night dinners are gaining momentum. Seven officers stopped by for dinner throughout the evening and one new officer knocked on my door – HOORAY! Lots of leftovers though and I’m sick of spaghetti -- but it was tasty!  I have recently stopped using jar sauce and have started making my own. I did manage to take a picture of one dessert! Very easy to make - enjoy!  

Southern Banana Pudding

2 cups cold milk

1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Banana Cream Instant Pudding/Pie filling

1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip Topping thawed

30 vanilla wafer cookies

3 bananas

Directions

1.  Pour milk into large bowl. Add pudding mix.  Beat with wire whisk 2  minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Gently stir in 1-1/2  cups whipped topping.

2.  Place 10 of the cookies on bottom of a 2-quart serving bowl. Top with 1/3 of the bananas and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers ending with pudding mixture. 

3.  Put 6-10 wafers in a Zip-Loc baggie and close (leave a small opening for air to escape), and

     take a rolling pin to crush the wafers, then sprinkle on top.

4.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serves 8

Southern Banana Pudding
(picture shown was a double batch to serve 16)