ConstanceL's Profile

Sissy, another Minnesotan here. But I'm as surprised as you were to hear that Pannekoeken Huis is still around. I have a vague memory of having been at one somewhere in West St. Paul, way back in the early 80s. It was staffed by women in dirndle skirts and worried looks, and had dark paneled walls lined with Dutch kitsch.

This is what we have eaten for every Christmas and most Easter brunches for the past decade and a half or so. I use the recipe for Finnish Pancakes, from the Minnesota Ethnic Food cookbook (http://www.amazon.com/Minnesota-Ethnic-Food-Book-Kaplan/dp/0873511980). But y'all are right--German pancake, pannekoeken, Dutch Babies, sweetened Yorkshire puddings...they're all basically the same lovely, easy, eggy deliciousness.

I serve mine in the best of all possible ways: when I take the pancake out of the oven (I cook it all up in one big oblong enamel pan), I squeeze a fresh lemon over its billowy poufs. It deflates a bit. Then I slice big squares, and top each slice with preserved lingonberries and a spoonful or two of maple syrup, the good stuff. A side of thick cut bacon and oh yeah baby! It's Christmas!!