(picture from recipe.com)

Every so often we end up with a lazy weekend morning that requires a so-late-it-hardly-counts-as-breakfast meal. Cereal doesn't cut it. Since we're still living in my inlaws' basement and lately have startlingly few responsibilities, we've had time for pancakes.

We tried a new recipe that makes extra fluffy pancakes; The secret is to beat the egg whites, like you do with waffle batter. If you're a boxed panake mix kind of person (are there those kind of people?), you won't be anymore.

Anything from scratch counts for my month of less (less packaging, less non-food "ingredients", less transport) even though it may be more work.

Buttermilk Pancakes: (serves 6)

2 c. flour
2 T sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/3 c. buttermilk (or make your own with milk and lemon juice... google it.)
3 large eggs, separated
1/4 c. butter, melted
Canola oil or butter for cooking

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg yolks, and melted butter. Pour this into the flour mixture and stir until just combined -- the batter will be lumpy.

Using a mixer on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Stir about 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then fold in the remaining 2/3.  There will still be lumps.

Lightly butter/oil the griddle and turn the burner to high heat. Pour 1/3 c. batter for each pancake and spread it out with the back of the measuring cup. Cook about 1 1/2 minutes (until bubbles form and break on the surface). Flip the pancakes and cook another minute.

If the batter is too thick, you can add more buttermilk to thin it.

Serve hot, and preferably with bacon.

Optional: Add to the batter 2 c. fresh/frozen blueberries or rasperries, or try diced ripe bananas.

For the month of October I'm doing one thing a day that is a step towards a simpler way of living -- less cluttered, less wasteful, less distracted. My goal through this month of less is that by taking a new step every day, I will be able to live in a way that is more organized, more stewardly, more purposeful. Read more about it here, and let me know if you're joining in!