A Most Important Meal

Jack and I spent a recent lazy morning sitting on the balcony, eating a breakfast of dutch baby pancakes with fresh berries. It was a perfect way to start a hot summer day, enjoying the cool breeze  before the humidity became unbearable.  The cathedral is now hiding behind a mass of trees, but you can faintly make out the top of it. We made plans for the day as we sipped OJ and freshly pressed coffee. Happy summer to all of you!

Can you see the top of the cathedral?

 A little jolt to start the day.

I use Alton Brown's recipe for dutch babies and just divide the batter so each person can have his or her own pancake.

Dutch Baby (from Alton Brown)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
• 2 3/8 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 1/2 cup
• 3 tablespoons vanilla sugar, plus extra for serving
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• Lemon wedges

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Place 2 tablespoons of the melted butter into a 10-inch cast iron skillet and place in the oven. Set the remaining tablespoon of melted butter aside to cool slightly. Wait 10 minutes before assembling the other ingredients.
Place the flour, vanilla sugar, salt, milk, eggs and remaining tablespoon of melted butter into the bowl of a food processor or blender and process for 30 seconds. Carefully pour the batter into the preheated skillet. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the edges are puffed and brown. Sprinkle with additional vanilla sugar and serve with lemon wedges.