Lemon Pancakes

My husband is trying to get me to climb Mount Kenya. Again. It was a bucket-list item that I was quite happy I managed to accomplish and cross off. However, he loves that mountain and has climbed it twice already and is quite happy to go at it again.

So we have been walking twice a week to get in shape. Looking at pictures of our previous climb is kind of grudgingly getting me psyched.

The vastness of the mountain has the ability to diminish humanity, which is humbling and awe-inspiring at the same time. It was the realisation of just how tiny and insignificant I felt, how old the mountain is, how many generations the mountain has seen come and go.

Mountains are truly majestic. In all honesty, I did enjoy the climb up until the pre-dawn torture to get to the peak for the sun-rise. Having said that, it was the most magnificent sunrise I had ever seen. You know how the sun always comes up over the horizon? Well this time, it came up from the middle of the clouds and we were above it (optical illusion but pretty awesome). It was a sight that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Speaking of clouds, these pancakes are as light as a cloud. The batter makes about 8 pancakes, so be sure to make this when you have a crowd or, are really hungry.

The secret to these light as air pancakes, is the whisked egg whites.

Fold the whisked egg whites into the batter but do not overmix. Lumps in the batter and streaks of egg white are fine.

Enjoy!

On a random note. Movies really do influence how we see places. Don’t these look like they would be in a sci-fi movie showing an alien planet?

.. or alien creature

• Time: 30 min
• Print

makes about 12 pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1 Tablespoon of lemon zest/grated lemon rind
• 2 eggs, white and yolks separated
• 1 cup of mala or buttermilk or yoghurt
• 1 cup milk
• 3 Tablespoons oil
• 1 Tablespoon lemon extract or lemon juice

Directions

In a large bowl, mix 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt.

In a separate bowl whisk together 2 egg yolks, 1 cup mala/buttermilk, 1 cup milk, 3 Tablespoon oil, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice and 1 Ta.

Combine the wet into the dry ingredients.

With clean beaters and a clean bowl (wipe the bowl with vinegar) whisk the 2 egg whites. Add a tablespoon of sugar after you get soft peaks. Keep whisking until all 3 Tablespoons of sugar are incorporated and the egg whites look shiny.

Take about a quarter of the whisked egg whites and fold into the batter. Continue until you have added all the egg whites. It is ok if the mixture is not smooth. Do not overmix.

Place a nonstick pan over medium heat. Grease it with oil. Drop about a third of a cup of batter, or whatever amount you prefer onto the hot pan. Once bubbles form, flip the pancakes once and continue cooking 1 to 2 more minutes until the pancakes are cooked.