bikes, buttermilk pancakes, and a bit of good news

My love affair with bike commuting started eight years ago with a milk crate bungeed to the back of a cherry red Specialized bicycle. I plastered the frame with bumper stickers and tooled around town like the happiest of little L*Joys. Then one dark night in San Diego, a desperate soul snapped my lock, and rode off on that lovely little piece of heaven. Shocked, disappointed, and a bit frustrated, the only thing to do was to let out a deep sigh.
I moved on from that moment, and for the past three years have grown to know and love this cute little lady.

Sure, she was a monochromatic blue, but she did her job with ease and joy, and I loved every bit of her. Yesterday morning, someone else with obviously impeccable taste decided they needed her more than I did, and  took her! from the front yard! in broad daylight!
Once again, I stood shocked, disappointed and a bit frustrated. After my stolen-bike-sigh, I hung this sign from the tree where she used to live:

Are you surprised that the Stealer has not come knocking on my door with a bouquet of flowers and an 'I am so sorry for being so lame' card? Well, the Stealer has not come knocking, apologizing, or returning my bike. I have not received so much as an 'I already pawned it for 1/16th of its worth and could not care less' card. To be honest, there is a huge hunk of me that thinks the Stealer might actually bring it back! How is that for naive optimism?!?

Oh well. If it is going to be truly stolen, I just hope that the Stealer at least likes my bumper stickers, bell, and basket. I have begun the search for a used bicycle that will become my new companion, and when I find one; I will be sure to introduce you.

A stolen bike is not necessarily the grandest way to start the week, but at least I have a grand breakfast to share with you. I am here today for more than a rant about ridiculous bike theft; I am here to show you beautiful buttermilk pancakes. Most of the recipes I write about around here are Cubbyhole originals, but I must say that the Joy of Baking website has many recipes worth giving a try.

Their buttermilk pancakes were exactly what a buttermilk pancake should be: fluffy, light, and simultaneously rich. The only minor changes I made were 1/4 cup more buttermilk than they suggested, and I greased the griddle with a bit of canola oil instead of melted butter. Butter burns so easily that I find it better to use a little oil when cooking on a hot griddle, but that is up to your own preference.

A great pancake recipe up your sleeve is important for any cook's repertoire. These and the Cornmeal Pancakes fit nicely up any sort of sleeve.

Buttermilk Pancakes makes 5 large pancakes
adapted from the Joy of Baking website. Some folks will try to tell you that a spoonful of vinegar in a glass of milk is a substitute for buttermilk. That really is not buttermilk. Just do yourself a favor and grab the real thing.

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons (28 grams) granulated white sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 and 1/4 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
3 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled

1. In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar
2. Once butter has cooled slightly, stir together with cold buttermilk. Stir in beaten egg. If you add hot butter to the egg you would basically end up with little bits of scrambled eggs. That is why I am warning you to let the butter cool slightly, add to buttermilk, and then add the egg
3. Fold buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients and be careful to not over mix. There will be a few lumps in the batter
4. Heat griddle or non-stick skillet over medium heat, grease slightly, and pour about 1/3 cup batter onto hot surface. For small pancakes use 1/4 cup batter
5. Let cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbles start to form on the top and the edges start to set. Flip and cook 2 minutes longer
6. enjoy

Well well well! For the bit of good news, Soup Spoon is TypePad's featured blog! They wrote such complimentary things about this humble little Soup Spoon. Click Here for a link to the write-up, and please leave a comment if you also enjoy reading this blog. (Thank you readers and TypePad. This is all so much fun)

Comments

[Emily]

I am so proud of Soup Spoon! What a delicious write up! You must be so pleased! Congratulations, my dear! You certainly deserve it, you "cheerful cook," you! Love love love.

[Emily]

P.S. Down with bike thieves. People who steal bikes should be banned from the eating of pancakes. Especially buttermilk pancakes.

*It's possible that this comment will show up about 7 times as I am fighting with Typepad. If so, my apologies!*

[riley]

LOVED THE KIND WORDS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BLOG AT TYPEPAD.COM. SORRY ABOUT THE BIKE BUT I KNOW YOU WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE ADVENTURE OF SELECTING YOUR NEXT 'RIDE'.

[Monica]

You have a fantastic blog! Not only are you an excellent writer, but it appears you are a fantastic cook as well! I am neither at the moment, but I used to be. Thank you for inspiring me to go back to both...writing and reminding me of the joy of cooking. The photography is also fantastic!

P.S. I'm also sorry to hear about your bike. I look forward to tuning in to your blog...

[L*Joy]

Monica
Thanks for reading. The best gift to me is for this blog to inspire someone else. Thanks for sharing!
L*Joy

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

First visit here -- congrats on being Typepad's Featured Blog today. I'm glad to discover you!

[Megan Powell]

Congrats on your being published on Typepad's Featured Blog!!! I am more proud of you than you realize! You are an amazing person inside and out! Also, the pancakes look amazing! I am going to try those with my kids!

[Megan Powell]

I had to laugh when I read your comment about believing that the person who stole your bike would read your sign and bring it back...as soon as I saw the sign...I thought the same thing!...that would be the happy ending!...I guess our optimism is genetic!

[L*Joy]

Lydia
I just perused the aisles of your site, The Perfect Pantry, and am glad you shared it with me. Thanks for enjoying Soup Spoon!

Megan,
I know, the eternal genetic optimism just can not be shaken out of us. The sign is back up this morning, and I am still hoping for the best.

[Hasmin]

Hello! first time peeking in...sorry about your stolen bike, (fingers crossed) hope it gets returned. I'm loving the recipes...will try the buttermilk pancakes (breakfast, lunch or dinner!) and the balsamic chicken!!! yummers...

[Jyotsna]

Hi,
Nice to see a cooking blog as a Featured Typepad blog...and now that i've been reading through your posts,may I say it is richly deserved!
Keep those fingers crossed -you just might get your bike back. Stranger things have happened.

[Linda Zdanowicz]

I'm so happy that you're one of the featured blogs so I could find you. I love to cook and I love to bike so I'll be a regular visitor. Can't wait to try the balsamic chicken. What a nice way to react to the disappointments of life, as well. Wonderful blog!

[L*Joy]

Hasmin
thank you. I hope you love the pancakes as much or more than I do. enjoy.

Jyotsna
thank you for reading through the posts and enjoying it. Stranger things have happened--- what if they tuned it up and then returned my bike? how about that for optimism? :)

Linda
wahoo for bike lovers. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you do come again soon.

P.S. Thanks for commenting everybody :) Love, L*Joy

[Megan Powell]

We absolutely love these pancakes!!! They are very easy to make and they are delicious! They come out very fluffy and yummy!