On a slow weekend morning, pancakes can be the perfect breakfast.

Every guy perceives the kitchen differently. Some are absolutely clueless, unable to make basic skillet recipes or scrambled eggs. For them, the preparation, patience, and cleaning are too much of an irritant to foster any enjoyment of the activity. Others show no fear with a knife and frying pan. These types view cooking as a creative endeavor. Kitchen skills can be a useful tool for every guy to add to his arsenal. Once considered a realm only for females, the kitchen now belongs to both sexes. In fact, many females now look for guys who can hold their own in front of the stove. The great thing about being a guy in the kitchen is that you don’t have to be a master chef; general competence in the kitchen will provide you with most of the skills you will ever need. Most men end up neglecting the kitchen in their homes because they lack the confidence needed to perform the basic skills repeated in each recipe. These basic skills will serve both to satisfy your hunger and impress any female visitors you might care to entertain. This lesson will teach you the basics of how to follow a recipe, how to mix ingredients, and how to crack an egg like a pro. And for those with the confidence, this pancake recipe is much better than your store bought mixes.

In order to get your cooking feet wet, you must start slowly. Learn a basic skill each time you make a meal and you will be able to eventually piece them together and really start having fun making original masterpieces. Very few recipes are easier to master than your basic everyday pancake. Regardless of your skill level, you will be able to make these pancakes. Surprise your significant other this weekend by getting up a few minutes early and making her a fluffy stack of pancakes. If you feel confident enough, make each pancake into a heart shape. Females eat that stuff up, literally.

Practically everyone can make a pancake. But not everyone knows how to make light, fluffy, flapjacks. This is a basic buttermilk pancake recipe that is easy to make and compares very favorably with the fluffiest restaurant-made pancakes. Pancakes are not only fun to make, but I have found the process of flipping them and serving them up perfectly to be a tremendous turn on for women. “Box recipe” pancakes can be adequate, but they lack the texture and flavor of restaurant pancakes. Make the batter fairly sweet, and these pancakes can be delicious without any syrup.

Required Items

• Nonstick pan or griddle
• Plastic spatula
• A whisk, handmixer, or mixing spoon
• Two medium sized bowls

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons melted butter

Optional Ingredients

• Chopped banana and walnuts
• Blueberries
• Chocolate chips

Directions

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix the sugar buttermilk and butter and eggs. For beginners, cracking an egg may be the hardest part of this recipe. For a basic walkthrough on how to crack an egg, watch this helpful video. Next, Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture. Stir the batter by hand, not using an electric mixer. At this point add any additional ingredients like chocolate chips. Stop mixing when only small lumps remain in the batter. Turn on the griddle or stove to a heat no higher than a medium setting. Use a small ladle to pour batter into small circles. If you have never made pancakes, keep the circles smaller than 4 inches, as they will be easier to flip. Watch the batter. As it cooks, bubbles will form on the pancake. When the pancake is completely covered with bubbles, flip it. If the cooked side is too dark, lower the heat for the next batch. There is no need to flip the pancakes more than once. Cook the other side for slightly less time than the first side, then remove that batch from the griddle.

Always mix pancake batter by hand, not with an electric mixer, if you want the best consistency. Credit: imcountingufoz

When making pancakes the key to perfect golden round cakes is using a good nonstick griddle. I like using a separate plug-in griddle big enough to cook eight- three inch pancakes at once. If you are a perfectionist, cook the first batch, but do not serve them to your guest. This batch will season the griddle and generally end up over- or undercooked. The second batch will have the appealing golden brown appearance which will look perfect on the serving plate.

Simple and delicious. If you are cooking for more than two, turn the oven to a low setting and place a Pyrex dish in the oven. As you complete the pancakes, you can put them in the pan and cover with aluminum foil, enabling everyone to eat at once.

Congratulations. Your first lesson in the kitchen went well! If you struggled, keep at it. Cooking is a lifelong endeavor and practice makes perfect. Unlike other activities, you can see your results immediately after cooking. The opportunity to eat your creations makes cooking extremely satisfying. In addition, your significant other will notice your thoughtfulness and return the favor later.

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