Buttermilk Pancakes by Sqrishka: Developed by Curt

"In a medium bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Beat in buttermilk, melted butter and (if using) vanilla, until well blended." I tempered the buttermilk with the butter so the egg would not curdle. "Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to liquid ingredients," (I sifted the dry ingredients directly into the wet) "and quickly mix just enough to make a creamy batter with some lumps; do not over beat. (It's normal for the pancake batter to be lumpy after you stir it.) Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle over high heat. (If using an electric griddle, heat to 375 degrees F.) Test skillet by sprinkling a few drops of water on it.. When water forms beads and dances over skillet surface, it is hot enough. Lightly grease the griddle with bacon grease, vegetable oil, or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup batter into skillet for each pancake, making sure there is space between them; pancakes will expand slightly during cooking. Cook pancakes until batter is set, bubbles uniformly cover the top and have burst, and bottoms are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip pancakes and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 1 minutes more. (They usually take about 1/2 the time on the second side. This will depend on how thick you've made your pancakes.) Repeat with remaining batter, adding more oil to pan as necessary. Serve immediately or keep warm (* see note) until all the pancakes are cooked. Serve with butter spread on top and drizzled with warmed maple syrup, fruit compotes, etc. Makes 12 pancakes; serves 4. * Note: To keep pancakes warm -- Place a large cooling rack (sprayed with vegetable cooking spray) on a sheet pan. Place the pan and the rack in a 200-degree oven. Place pancakes on the rack in a single layer, uncovered, for up to 20 minutes (any longer--they will start to dry out.) The warm oven keeps the pancakes hot enough to melt a pat of butter, and leaving the pancakes uncovered keeps them from becoming soggy. Notes * The key to fluffy pancakes is not to over mix the batter; it should not be beaten smooth. * Have the milk and eggs at room temperature so the melted butter doesn't harden. * For more flavor...if serving pancakes with bacon (or, if you have bacon grease), reserve half a teaspoon of bacon drippings to grease the griddle instead of oil. * If the tops of the pancakes bubble and the bottoms don't brown, the heat source is too low, if they brown before they bubble, the heat is too high. Credits Added on September 08 2007 sgrishka Award Medal"