Buttermilk Pancakes or Waffles

How to make Buttermilk Pancakes or Waffles Recipe - Pancakes and waffles were served not only for breakfast, but for supper and noon meals.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/2 pint buttermilk (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons melted vegetable shortening or vegetable oil
Butter or fat

Method:
If making pancakes, heat a heavy griddle slowly while mixing batter. In a large bowl, beat eggs. In a small bowl, mix buttermilk and baking soda. Add to eggs. In a mediumsized bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir into egg mixture. Blend in shortening or oil.

For pancakes:
Heat griddle until drops of water dance on it. Brush with butter or fat. Spoon 1/4 cup batter for each cake onto hot griddle. Cook until golden on each side. Makes 16 (4-inch) pancakes.

For waffles:
Heat waffle iron. Spoon batter into heated waffle iron. Close iron. Bake until golden. Makes 8 (6- to 8-inch) waffles.

Variations
Blueberry Pancakes:
Add 1/2 to 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries to batter just before cooking pancakes. Cook as above. Sweet-Milk Pancakes or Waffles: Substitute fresh milk for buttermilk. Omit baking soda and use an additional 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. For lighter pancakes, separate eggs and make batter using yolks. Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. Cook as above.

Southern Corn Cakes:
In place of all-purpose flour, use a combination of 3/4 cup cornmeal and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Cook as above.

Swedish Pancakes:
Substitute fresh milk for buttermilk. Omit baking soda and reduce flour to 1/2 cup. Cook as above. Pancakes will be thin and lacy. Fill with berries and whipped cream.

Coconut Waffles:
Add 1 cup flaked coconut to batter. Cook as above. Serve with coconut syrup and whipped cream.

Pecan Waffles:
Spoon batter into a heated waffle iron. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Close iron. Bake until golden.

Note:
Coconut syrup is often used in mixed drinks and can be found in the beverage section of supermarkets. It makes an excellent topping for waffles and pancakes.