The Many Lives of the Pancake Breakfast
Flapjacks vs pancakes vs hotcakes…are they relatives of the pancake?
Pancakes are a very popular choice for breakfast all over the country. You’d probably have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t enjoy a short stack of fluffy pancakes, topped with butter and maple syrup. They’re equally delicious when served simply, or dressed up in many different ways.
There are many different names for pancakes including flapjacks, griddlecakes and hotcakes. All of these other names for pancakes are the same basic ingredients and cooking method, they just may be called something different depending on region and the restaurant. Typically, in the U.S. flapjacks and pancakes are the same thing, the name is just used regionally. However, you may find some restaurants calling pancakes that are either a little smaller, or larger, than normal, “flapjacks.” Silver dollar pancakes are simply named for their size. In England, a flapjack is not a pancake at all, but a type of sweet bar cooking made from oats.”
A johnnycake is a small pancake made from cornmeal, salt and hot water or milk, rather than wheat flour. Johnnycakes were a staple item for early Americans and now they are very popular in New England, particularly Rhode Island. The South also makes this dish but it is called a hoecake.
Crepes, like those we serve at The Original Pancake House, are very thin pancakes made from flour, milk and eggs. They are very popular in France, Belgium and Switzerland and are served in a variety of ways, both sweet and savory.
Battle Breakfast Restaurants: Hash Browns vs Home Fries
Which do you prefer at breakfast restaurants, hash browns or home fries?
Potatoes show up on the menu at breakfast restaurants almost as much as eggs do. The potato is one of America’s favorite starches and we enjoy them at any time of the day. But potatoes go particularly well with breakfast and show up mostly in the form of hash browns or home fries, the two most popular sidekicks to your eggs.
When it comes to the breakfast battle of hash browns vs home fries, let’s start with the difference between the two. Hash browns (or hashbrowns and hashed browns), are traditionally shredded potatoes that are pan fried to a golden brown. Home fries are made from cubed or diced potatoes. They are fried up along with onions and often bell peppers. Hash browns and home fries are staple items of breakfast restaurants around the country. The first known mention of “hashed browned potatoes” is by food author Maria Parloa in 1888. Over time the name was shortened to its current form.
At The Original Pancake House we prefer home fries because they have more texture as well as more flavor with the addition of onions and seasonings. We think they have a bit more personality and are more “homey” than the simple shreds of hash browns. They make a great side dish to many of our fantastic breakfast dishes.
On Cloud 9 With Cloud Eggs!
We are loving the latest Instagram trend - Cloud Eggs! Have you seen your (millennial) friends post pictures of beautiful cloud eggs for breakfast? They are, in our opinion, some of the most photogenic eggs out there! And they are very simple to make.
Here is the basic run down:
- Heat oven to 450° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Separate egg whites and egg yolks, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the yolks in a small bowl.
- Season the egg whites with salt and pepper. Using a whisk or a hand mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in Parmesan, ham, and chives. Create 4 mounds of egg whites on the prepared baking sheet and indent the centers of each to look like nests. Bake until slightly golden, about 3 minutes.
- Carefully add an egg yolk to the center of each egg white cloud. Season yolk with salt and pepper. Bake until the yolks are just set, about 3 minutes more
Easy! And as a result you’ll get beautiful, photo-worthy eggs to enjoy for breakfast or as a savory addition to salads or grains. Of course, if all these separate steps sound a bit much for your breakfast repertoire, or you prefer classic versions of your favorite breakfast in Denver, we’d be happy to make you your favorite eggs to order next time you visit us at The Original Pancake House in Denver. Happy eating!
Refresh Your Breakfast!
Though we like to eat a big breakfast of eggs or pancakes (or crepes or waffles!) most days of the week, sometimes we all need something light and refreshing for breakfast on a warm summer morning. Here are a few ideas for a light and easy summer breakfast:
Bagel & Fruit “Pizzas”*
This is a fun and easy breakfast for any warm day. Simply top your favorite bagel with cream cheese and a selection of fresh fruit. We love whole wheat bagels topped with lemon cream cheese and strawberries, kiwi, and blueberries. The lemon adds a refreshing zing to this morning meal.
Blueberry Cobbler Oatmeal**
This breakfast is almost like a summer dessert, especially when made with fresh blueberries. You should prepare the night before, making for a very easy breakfast when you are in a rush in the morning!
Ingredients:
1/2 plus cup plus 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup milk, I used almond but any milk will do
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
pecans, optional
honey, optional
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, stir together oats, milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Fold in blueberries.
- Divide evenly between 2 small bowls and cover to refrigerate. Leave in the fridge for at least 5 hours or overnight. Enjoy with a drizzle of honey and your favorite nuts, if desired.
Chocolate Peanut Butter & Banana Breakfast Shake***
This recipe will make you (and the kids!) think you are drinking a milkshake for breakfast! Its cool, delicious, and filling!
Ingredients:
2 large overripe bananas , peeled, sliced and frozen
1 cup almond milk (or more to thin as desired)
3/4 cup ice
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
And don’t forget, when you come visit us for breakfast in Denver at The Original Pancake House, we have several menu items on “The Lighter Side” that will keep you cool like our Fiesta Bowl, homemade Granola, and our Old Fashioned Oatmeal! Have a great summer Denver, stay cool!
*Recipe courtesy of number-2-pencil.com
**Recipe courtesy of Deliciouslyyum.com
***Recipe courtesy of cookingclassy.com
What’s for Breakfast in Denver? Many Say Cereal
A great breakfast in Denver can be as elaborate as Eggs Benedict, or as simple as cereal.
Breakfast cereal is something that millions of Americans reach for to get their day started off right. In fact, it’s so popular that 2.7 billion boxes are sold each year. Breakfast cereal ranks number four in the top ten packaged goods in U.S. retail stores. When you go out for breakfast in Denver more than likely you are not ordering a bowl of cereal. But 31% of Americans who do eat breakfast, reach for cereal.
While the practice of eating grains for breakfast has been around since ancient times, the first breakfast cereal was invented in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson. The cereal, called Granula, never really caught on because the heavy bran nuggets required an overnight soak in order to make them soft enough to eat, which is not very convenient. John Harvey Kellogg began experimenting with cereals when he worked as the medical superintendent for the Western Health Reform Institute. In 1895, he launched the Cornflakes brand, which became an overnight sensation. His brother, William K. Kellogg, worked with him until 1906 when he branched out on his own, bought the rights to Cornflakes and started the Kellogg Toasted Corn Flake Company. Charles W. Post, who was a former patient of Kellogg’s at the Western Health Reform Institute, became interested in cereal after his stay there. He introduced Grape Nuts in 1898 and became an early innovator of breakfast cereals, along with Kellogg.
Cereal certainly makes for a convenient and affordable breakfast in Denver. But we highly recommend you start your day with something hearty and delicious, like what we’re cooking from scratch at The Original Pancake House.
Want to learn a little more about cereal? Check out these fun facts.
