Jem’s Mickey Mouse Pancakes
“Won’t I — won’t I see Mama again?” Jemmy’s eyes were huge, and he couldn’t keep from looking at the stone.
“I don’t know,” Roger said, and I could see the tears he was fighting himself, and hear them in his thickened voice. He didn’t know whether he would ever see Brianna again himself, or baby Mandy. Probably…probably not.”
Jamie looked down at Jem, who was clinging to his hand, looking back and forth between father and grandfather, confusion, fright, and longing in his face.
“If one day, a bhailach,”Jamie said conversationally, “ye should meet a verra large mouse named Michael — ye’ll tell him your grandsire sends his regards.” He opened his hand, then letting go, and nodded toward Roger.
Jem stood staring for a moment, then dug in his feet and sprinted toward Roger, sand spurting from under his shoes. He leaped into his father’s arms, clutching him around the neck, and with a final glance backward, Roger turned and stepped behind the stone, and the inside of my head exploded in fire.
Diana Gabaldon, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Chapter 120 – If Only For Myself)
(Click on the recipe below for a printable version of the recipe.)
Jem’s Mickey Mouse Pancakes
Light and fluffy, with just a bit of crunch from the cornmeal — there to remind Jem of the people and life they left back on the Ridge.
Yield: 6-8 Large Mickey Mouse Pancakes
- Cornmeal – 1 Cup
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 Cup
- Sugar – ¼ Cup
- Baking Powder – 2 tsp.
- Baking Soda – 1 tsp.
- Salt – ½ tsp.
- Buttermilk – 2 Cups
- Eggs – 2 large
- Vegetable Oil – ¼ Cup
- Blueberries, fresh or frozen – ½ to 1 Cup
- Butter/Oil for frying
Preheat oven to 250° F.
Stir together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt in a large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and oil in medium bowl; add to dry ingredients and whisk to blend. Let stand for 15 minutes.
Preheat a large heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle over medium heat and brush with butter or oil. Working in batches, ladle 1/2 cup batter near the bottom of the pan for Mickey’s head. Spoon a little more batter onto each side of his head for the ears. Make a smiling face in the batter using the blueberries.
Cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a baking sheet in the oven to keep warm.
Serve with butter and maple syrup.
Ith gu leòir! (Eat Plenty)
Yum! I make buttermilk pancakes from scratch when I have buttermilk on hand (not a fan of milk and lemon juice or vinegar – it’s just not the same). Will def have to get some cornmeal and try this recipe.
And yes, I teared up as well reading the excerpt. <3
This part always makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time.
The pancakes look delicious! I usually make mine from scratch but never thought to add cornmeal. I’m gonna give it a try.
I hope you enjoy them Jen!
These are so cute – my pancajes are never round or shaped :P
Love them to bits! Cheers Choc Chip Uru
Awww, very cute! :) Your pancake shaping skills far exceed mine.
Thank you, Kiri!
These are delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
My pleasure, Catherine!
I love what you do……sniffle …..that was so so sad..I also teared up and my heart was breaking!
They look wonderful!…
Evi…… If you don’t have buttermilk..and need sour milk use (Milk and about a tsp of Vinegar) it will work like using buttermilk…
Buttermilk Equivalents and Measures
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk PLUS 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice (let stand for 10 minutes before using in recipe)
thanks Vickie! I would recommend the yogurt substitution for this recipe…the clabbered milk (lemon juice in milk) doesn’t have the same richness.
i love cornmeal pancakes. but i never have buttermilk in the house, and i never use all of the carton when i buy it. wish there was a better way.
if you buy a pint carton of buttermilk, Evi, you will use both cups…see? There is a better way!
So so sweet…
Glad you think so, LeeAnn!
BRILLIANT!!!!
What is the little heart in the pic?
The little heart is full of jewels…a bit hard to see, I’m afraid, but you’ll get the sybolism ;)
:)
What a heartwrenching scene. Makes me tear up every time. I think I’ll have to console myself with some delicious pancakes…….
Sounds like a plan to me, Jen!
Ok stop making me cry this early in the morning! Love the recipe, and the excerpt.
The excerpt is killer…but so are the pancakes. :)