"how about cornmeal pancakes with fresh blueberries?"

for the past two sundays we have had friends over for brunch..different people each time..but very good friends nevertheless. both weeks i planned a tentative menu and created my shopping list only to get a phone call from said friends asking what was on the menu..as soon as i told them what i was thinking, there was a brief pause..and then this question.."how about cornmeal pancakes with fresh blueberries?" i mean really..two weeks in a row..i started thinking about favorite recipes..and friends who felt comfortable enough to ask for their favorites..i went from being a bit put out by not being able to try something new..to very happy and pleased that i have a large collection of dishes that people enjoy and request prior to coming to my home. not all the time(sometimes i can do the "new" recipes)..but often enough. to me, my favorite times..and my favorite memories..are those spent with family and friends around the dinner table... eating, laughing, talking, telling stories, continuing traditions or creating new ones...and knowing the food will be thoroughly enjoyed adds to the feeling of contentment..

so, for today's post, i thought i would share this recipe with you. maybe these pancakes will be added to your collection..and shared with your family and friends..i hope they will become a favorite in your home too.

i have made these cornmeal pancakes for years..i like them because they are not too sweet, taste really good..and offer a bit of a difference from more traditional pancakes. they are also really easy which is always a plus for me when having guests for brunch..not tons of work first thing in the morning.

cornmeal pancakes

1/3 c unbleached flour

1 1/4 c cornmeal

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg, beaten

1 1/4 c buttermilk*

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking soda, sugar and salt in large bowl. add egg, buttermilk and olive oil. stir just until lumps disappear..do not over mix. pour batter onto hot skillet or griddle forming pancakes. **note..this batter is thinner than a more traditional batter so form pancakes carefully. cook until bubbles form and tops of pancakes look a bit dry. flip and cook until second side is golden brown. serve immediately. we serve with butter, maple syrup and fresh blueberries. ** i never have buttermilk on hand..so for spur-of-the-moment pancakes..use milk with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice**

what are your most requested recipes? do you have "go to" dishes that you use whenever you want to make something delicious..and not experiment with something new? if so, please share the recipes with all of us in the comments section of this post..thanks in advance.

o.k...so i can hear the questions.."what about the weekly food fests?" this week is a recap week as we transition from summer produce to fall produce. be sure to check the everyday food blog and the away to garden blog on thursday for one last look at some of the favorite recipes shared during the past few weeks. i thought we would join in with an overview of the napa farmhouse 1885™ offerings. week one for us was cukes & zukes.

check out this post for roasted zucchini and tomatoes with parmesan and balsamic reduction and zucchini/potato hash browns with cheese. week two brought us green bean week..spicy green beans in asian chili sauce andgreen bean & potato salad with feta. how about roasted green beans, tomatoes & garlic with balsamic drizzle? week three was my favorite fest..because it was fresh tomatoes..i love tomatoes and wait all year for them to be ready..this post covered easy, breezy "non" recipes like fresh tomato sandwiches and roasted tomato pasta..then i shared my heirloom tomato & white bean salad, fresh pico di gallo, and heirloom tomato tapenade with bruschetta..

week four was all about fresh corn... the everyday food blog listed numerous delicious sounding recipes..but i shared my love of corn on the cob..and admitted that i never make any of the delicious sounding recipes..rather i always succumb to corn on the cob..boiled, roasted or grilled..with simple but very flavorful toppings. this post also includes what has been described as the most unusual but amazingly good corn recipe..my family's corny, corny lena (read the post for explanation of the name). corny, corny lena is actually a dark chocolate and pureed corn cake..with chocolate glaze. unusual..yes..and really, really good..

on to week five..which was the thursday leading into labor day weekend. this was open vegetable week..we could use whatever we wanted. i thought a smart strategy would be to post recipes i could also use for all of the holiday get-togethers as we had company coming each day... i chose a few relishes...cucumber and chiles relish, roasted pepper relish, fresh tomato relish..check them out...

last week was end of summer or early fall fruit week... i chose fresh pears..mainly because a friend had brought me 30#s of em..and i needed to start using them immediately...i posted a recipe for fresh pears with romaine & parmesan salad..and another for fresh pear cupcakes with chocolate glaze..best of all..many readers posted comments with additional suggestions and recipes for the pears..and for all the other posts too..note..i never close the comments section of any post..so you still have time to post your favorites..and please remember to share your favorite "go to" recipes in the comments section of this post...

have a terrific week...best,

diane

napa farmhouse 1885™

"live a green life of style"™

follow me on twitter