Vanilla Bean Pancakes Recipes

BUTTERMILK PANCAKES WITH VANILLA BEAN-BERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• Make the syrup: Heat the syrup and both halves of the vanilla bean in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Just before the mixture comes to a simmer, remove from the heat, stir in the berries and set aside for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove the vanilla bean before serving.
• Make the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Whisk the flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, eggs and oil. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just blended. Leaving a few lumps will result in fluffier pancakes.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add enough oil to grease it lightly and leave a film on the bottom of the pan.
• Working in batches, ladle the batter, about 1/2 cup at a time, into the pan. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown on the bottom and bubbles start to form on top, about 3 minutes, then flip and continue cooking another 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter. Put the finished pancakes on a sheet tray and let sit in the oven to stay warm as you finish. Serve topped with the berry syrup, butter and confectioners' sugar.

EMERIL'S WARM PEACH PANCAKES WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM AND A DRIZZLE OF WARM CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pancakes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven.
• In a large bowl mix together the milk and creme fraiche until smooth. Whisk in the eggs and lemon zest and whisk together until smooth. Add the flour, salt and the sugar and whisk until smooth. Remove the skillet from the oven and place on the stove over low heat. Add the butter to the skillet and swirl around the bottom of the pan until it is completely melted. Add the batter to the skillet and return to the oven and bake until pancake puffs up around the edges, 20 minutes.
• For the peaches: To a hot skillet, add butter and melt. Add peaches and saute for 3 minutes, until beginning to soften. Add brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg and cook another 2 minutes.
• To Finish: Remove pancake from the oven. Slide pancake onto a large plate. Top pancake with peaches. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and powdered sugar and mint.
• In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring often. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a deep caramel color and has the consistency of a thin syrup, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cream, return the saucepan to the high heat, and boil the sauce until it regains the consistency of a thick syrup, about 2 minutes. Cool.
• Recipe adapted from Creole Christmas Cookbook, by Emeril Lagasse, with Marcelle Bienvenu, published by William Morrow, 1997

VANILLA BEAN PANCAKES

Steps:

• Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, salt and baking soda, stirring with a whisk; add the vanilla bean. Store in an airtight container for at least 2 days. Remove bean, and reserve for another use.
• Combine buttermilk and eggs in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.
• Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, stirring with a whisk until well combined.
• Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet coated with cooking spray over med heat.
• Spoon a scant 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto griddle. Turn pancakes when tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. About 3 minutes.