Makes about 12 decent sized pancakes 

About 20 minutes, mixing and cooking time included 

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

3 Tbsp sugar 

1 Tbsp baking powder 

1 tsp. salt 

1 1/2 cups milk 

3 Tbsp melted butter or margarine, or oil 

1 Egg 

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Pour in the milk, margarine, and egg – mix it lightly together on top of dry ingredients, then blend all together, JUST until incorporated. It should have the consistency of half melted ice cream, and it will be lumpy.

*This is important – just mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients until your pancake batter is just mixed together. This is the secret to really fluffy pancakes. If the batter seems too thick, add a little more milk. If it is too thin, wait a minute to see if the baking powder kicks in, and if not sprinkle on one tablespoon of flour and whisk in. 

Pancakes 101 

Heat your griddle or frying pan to medium heat. Grease pan with either margarine or oil. Using a ladle, spoon in one ladle-full of batter into the hot pan. If the batter doesnt' spread itself, you can squish it around with the spoon a little. (If you ladle it in and it runs all over the place, congratulations! You've made crepes.) Watch for bubbles on the top of the pancake (holes, really). If it bubbles immediately, it's probably because your pan is too hot. If it takes more than a minute to bubble, your pan is not hot enough.

When there are bubbles breaking the top surface of the pancake (so it looks like a crumpet, or small hole swiss cheese), it is time to flip the flapjack. Do it quickly; get the spatula under the pancake and flip it all in one motion. He who hesitates loses the pancake (or makes a big mess). Cook for about a minute more, until the under side of the pancake is a light golden colour. Take that pancake out and start the next batch.

Don't be discouraged – there is an old saying of "One for the pan" and this is about pancakes. The first one never turns out. Something about the oil, or the heat, or something, it just doesn't turn out. Don't worry. Feed that one to the dog. The next one will be better.