Kids' favorite Chocolate Pancake

What is Pancake ?

A Pancake is a thin, flat, mostly round (can be made in any desired shapes & sizes) cake, prepared from a batter made of APF(all purpose flour), milk, egg and butter. The prepared batter is then cooked on a griddle or frying pan. Pancakes are named differently in different part of the World. Depending on the region, pancakes may be served at any time, with a variety of toppings or fillings including jam, fruit, syrup or meat. But basically, it's a wholesome breakfast item, loved by all ages, especially children are very fond of them. My daughter is a huge fan of Pancakes. Nowadays, readymade pancake batter are found in markets, because of its popularity. But if you want to make it at home, I'll give you the recipe today.........

Do you know What is a Pancake Day?

Pancake Day ( also known as Shrove Tuesday) is the last day before the period which Christians call Lent,
a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday (Easter Day). It is traditional on this day to eat pancakes. It is the one day of the year when almost everyone eats a pancake. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.  
In 2010 Pancake Day will be on 16 February.
So now to the Basic recipe of pancake....

Ingredients : (yields 7-8 pancakes)

All purpose flour(APF)  :  1 and 1/2 cup
Baking powder : 3 tsp.
Salt : 1 tsp.
Fine granulated sugar : 1-2 tblsp.
Milk : 1 and 1/4 cup(as needed)
Egg : 1
Butter(melted) : 3 tblsp.

Method :

• In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In another big bowl, whisk together egg and milk, add to flour mixture little by little, just enough to make a semi-thick creamy batter. Blend in melted butter.
  
• Heat a non-stick frying pan or a griddle, apply little butter/oil, lower the heat to medium, then pour about 1/4 cup of prepared batter. Cook until you see little dry around the edges and lightly browned on the bottom. Turn and brown the other side. Drop a little butter/oil if you see it's sticking to the pan. 
• Your pancake is ready.
  

Variations : You can add any crushed or finely chopped fruits(eg. mango, apple, banana etc.) in that batter and can enjoy different flavours of pancake.

For Chocolate pancake :

• To the basic batter, add 2 tblsp. of chocolate syrup( I used Hershey's chocolate syrup) or cocoa powder. Mix together.  

Tips : While making chocolate pancake, add less sugar in basic batter recipe, as chocolate syrup is going to add the sweetness.

• Make pancakes same way as mentioned above. Serve hot .............................

Sending my daughter's favorite breakfast dish to Arundhuti of Gourmet Affair, who is hosting an event, "Served With Love" .

And to Srivalli , who is hosting "Kids' Delight - Wholesome Breakfast"