New Pancake Recipe

I've used the same pancake recipe for years.  It is quick and easy and I always have all the ingredients on hand.  However, I decided to try a new recipe and I think it is even better.  I found it on Martha Stewart's website and it uses buttermilk which I don't always keep on hand but the pancakes were delicious.  John said he liked these better than the old recipe and he loves pancakes.  I usually make a full recipe of pancakes even though there are only two of us because I freeze the leftovers.  I put wax paper between the individual pancakes and put them in a plastic freezer bag.  That way it's easy to remove the number you want.  Here's the recipe.

Best Buttermilk Pancakes

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups buttermilk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus 1/2 teaspoon for griddle

Heat griddle to 375 degrees.  Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a medium bowl.  Add eggs, buttermilk and 4 tablespoons butter; whisk to combine.  Batter should have small to medium lumps.

Using a pastry brush, brush remaining 1/2 teaspoon of butter onto the griddle.  Wipe off excess.  (My griddle is so well seasoned that I skipped this step.)

Pour pancake batter on the griddle.  When pancakes have bubbles on top and are slightly dry around the edges, about 2 1/2 minutes, flip over.  Cook until golden on the bottom, about 1 minute.  Repeat with remaining batter.  (The recipe says to make 6 inch pancakes.  I don't make mine that big.  I make mine about 4 inches in diameter.)  Makes nine 6 inch pancakes.

I also tried a beverage recipe that would be very good for breakfast or brunch.  I'm always looking for something different and this would be a change from plain orange juice.  My inspiration was a cocktail that Ina Garten made on her show.  It used four kinds of citrus juice and vodka.  I wasn't interested in the cocktail but I thought the combination of juices would be interesting so I modified the recipe to make it non-alcoholic and to suit my taste.  The cocktail is called juice of a few flowers.  I added sugar and diluted the juices with a little water.  I thought the drink was very refreshing, a little sweet and a little tart and I really like the mix of citrus juices.

Juice of a Few Flowers Punch

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
1 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (1 grapefruit)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
3/4 cups sugar (or more to taste)
4 cups water

Combine the four juices and add sugar.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Add water and stir. Chill and serve over ice.