COWBOY CAMPFIRE PANCAKES

Campfire pancakes? So what’s the difference with regular pancakes? Well first you made them from scratch and second you cooked them on fire!

WHAT ARE 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF PANCAKES?

There are way more then 3 different types of pancakes. In North america we call them pancakes, in France they call them crêpe, in Belgium they are called waffles. In Japan they are fluffly and light and called fuwafuwa pancakes. The list goes on and on!

Every country seems to have a version of what we know as being a pancake.

Pancakes have been a part of our lives for centuries, as a favorite staple in the diets of many cultures. They appeared more than 30,000 years ago during the Stone Age.

Researchers found pancakes in the stomach of Ötzi, the iceman, dating back 5,300 years. In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made of wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curd.

The ancient Greek poets, Cratinus and Magnes wrote about pancakes in their poetry. Shakespeare even mentions them in his famous plays. During the English Renaissance, pancakes were flavored with spices, rose water, sherry and apples.

The name “pancake” appeared in the 15th century but became standard in 19th century America. Before that, they were called johnnycakes, travel cakes, buckwheat cakes and flapjacks. The first American pancakes were made with buckwheat or cornmeal. Thomas Jefferson loved them so much that he sent a special recipe to his hometown from the White House.

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO PERFECT PANCAKES?

Who doesn’t love pancakes? It’s like asking who doesn’t like chocolate cake! Because literally, pancakes are pan cakes!

The great thing about pancakes is that you can cook them on pretty much any surface. I like using cast iron because it is so versatile. I can use it on my BBQ, directly on fire and even on my camping gas grill.

If you are like my husband, he likes to cook pancakes on a griddle. He is expert level mind you. But if you have a home griddle or a gas camping griddle by all means use it!

There are certain rules that you must stick to in order to not have your pancakes stick to your pan (see what I did there?):

• Once I make my batter I make the pancakes right away. Don’t leave your batter lying around!
• Nice hot cast iron pan is key! Right before adding batter I put some butter in the pan.
• The first pancake is for the pancakes gods! Don’t ask me why but the first one is ALWAYS messed up!
• Absolutely use a laddle to pour the batter and pour in the middle of the pan and in the middle of the pancakes (so they will be nice and round)
• Make one at a time.
• Stay close! As soon as the bubbles appear it’s time to flip!
• Eat them warm!

PLAIN OR FLAVORED?

There are many ways to enhance pancakes. Is there a blueberry patch not far from the campsite? Bam! We add fresh blueberries! A banana tree? Lucky! Add chocolate chips and serve with pieces of bananas.

The variations are endless. You can add these ingredients in the batter or throw them on top.

I am a sucker for the classic plain pancake! Maple syrup and butter!

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS FOR PANCAKES MADE FROM SCRATCH?

You want to eat the best pancakes you have ever eaten? You have to use the best ingredients or at the very least a majority of best ingredients.

You will find the ingredients below in the recipe card. However you can always use pancake mix and add the eggs, milk and butter to that mix, but I might like you less! 😉

The ingredients are very common. Everybody has them at home. Even if you want to make them while camping, I am sure you will have these ingredients handy.