Garlic: Deter More than just Vampires

bulb

Basic Gardening Tools

Even for a small garden there are 5 essential gardening tools

1. GLOVES

2. HAND TROWEL

3. WEEDER or HORI-HORI TROWEL

4. PRUNER and SCISSOR

5. WATER CAN and SPRAYER  

Simple Yummy Pancakes

This simple yummy pancake recipe begins with a homemade pancake mix. Such basic pancake mix is not only cheaper than the commercial pancake mixes but provides freedom to adjust preferred sweetness and creaminess of pancakes.

Homemade Pancake Mix

Ingredients:

6 cups                    all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons       baking soda

3 teaspoons           baking powder

1 tablespoon          kosher salt

2 tablespoons        white sugar

Procedures:

1.  Place all ingredients in a container with an airtight lid.

2. Tighten the lid and shake to mix.

NTS:  

1. Shake the mixture before each use.

2. Mixture is good for 3 months.

  

Simple Yummy Pancake Recipe

This recipe yields 12 pieces of pancakes of 4 to5-inch diameter.

Preparation Time:             15 minutes

Cooking Time:                   30-40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pieces                  egg, separated

2 cups                     buttermilk

4 tablespoons         butter, melted

2 cups                     homemade pancake mix

Procedures:

1.  Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degree Fahrenheit.

2.  Whisk together the egg whites and buttermilk in a small bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks and the melted butter.

3.  Combine the buttermilk and the butter mixture in one container and whisk together until thoroughly combined.

4.  Pour the liquid ingredients on top of the pancake mix. Using a whisk, mix the batter just enough to bring together. Do not try to work all the lumps out. Mix the batter within 10-12 stirs. If you want extra fluffiness, this is the time to fold 2 beaten egg whites.

5.  Check the griddle if it is hot or too hot by placing few drops of water unto the griddle. The griddle is ready if the water dances across the surface.

6.  Lightly butter the griddle. Wipe off thoroughly with a paper towel. No butter should be visible.

7.  Gently ladle 30 ml or 1 oz of the pancake batter onto the griddle, when bubble begins to set around the edge and the griddled side appears to be golden. Gently flip the pancake with appropriate spatula that would not damage the griddle surface. And don’t push pancake. Let the other side of the pancake continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until it is set. For each ladle of pancake batter repeat step 5 to 7.

8.  Serve immediately or remove to a towel lined baking sheet and cover with a towel. Hold in a warm place of 175-200 degree Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes.

This simple pancake mix and recipe have been inspired by Alton Brown and his food show, Good Eats.  The particular episode provides explanations and the science behind the extra steps in this recipe; one would truly appreciate that cooking is not only an art but also introduction to basic engineering and useful science experiment.

It would be great to share if you have tried this recipe and what your thoughts about it. Please post your comments including what you like or dislike about this recipe. And feel free to ask questions and provide corrections and suggestions. If you feel generous please subscribe and follow this blog as it would greatly help and inspire to create better content. Thank you.

As always enjoy cooking and eating! Itadakimase!

Reference

Brown, A. (2015, September 26). Semi-Instant Pancakes. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://altonbrown.com/semi-instant-pancakes-recipe/

Accuracy for Kitchen Essentials

Smart Way to Build a Functional Kitchen          

This is the fourth set of a series of kitchen essentials in assembling a functional kitchen. This fourth set will focus on the importance of accuracy. Kitchen equipment used in measuring ingredients should be accurate and proper measuring is crucial in some type of food preparation like baking to be successful. 

Reviewing the kitchen essential series, the first one emphasized on the basic items needed in building a functional kitchen. These are sauce pan, wooden spoon and spatula, cutting boards, chef knife, initial set of flatware and glassware-slash-dishware in the form of large microwavable mugs. The second series talked about versatility especially on kitchen tools that will be used in many different ways like frying pan, tong, sieve, box grater, peeler and kitchen towels. The third set gave attention the need of good quality products when it comes to kitchen implement that usually used on a daily basis as presented like the kettle, knives, flatware, dishware and glassware.

Here are 6 kitchen items and equipment: