This article is part of The Heritage Recipe Project series, where we celebrate culinary heritage, the art of the shared recipe, and create a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Pancakes and Conversation Hearts
My mom really didn’t like to cook. For her, it was more of a chore than a creative expression. Though, there was one day of the year where I vividly remember her expressing her love for us at the table - Valentine’s Day. She would get up before us - she probably did this all of the time, but as a kid who remembers that - and set the table for breakfast. On each of the plates she would place Valentine card, the kind that you stood in the grocery aisle to read to ensure the card’s message was perfect. And right above the knife and spoon was a box of conversation hearts. You know, the ones that had sayings like “Be Mine”, “Love”, and “Cutie” imprinted on them. None of these half-hearted-not-even-stamped-in-the-center sayings like “Text Me” or “TTYL’. Oh, I digress 😬 Anyway, the conversation heart box was there. Sometimes a special chocolate, but always the conversation heart box.
And for breakfast she would make pancakes. My mom liked pancakes. I think because you serve them with all things sweet. She had a sweet tooth that lady. And if there were any leftovers, which always seemed to happen, she would save them for the next day at which time they would become a snack. A generous layer of butter slathered on, and an even more generous sprinkle of sugar. Can you call a sprinkle generous? The pancake would be rolled up and eaten like lefse. Inevitably, sugar would escape from the back side of the pancake - I told you the sprinkle was generous.
I loved this day so much. I think that this is when I figured out that food was my preferred language. I’m pretty sure that the pancakes weren’t from scratch. I can almost guarantee that she used Bisquick. But that didn’t matter. The fact that she made made Valentine’s Day special by combining something that she didn’t particular care to do with one of her super powers - shopping - is what matters most. I may not have fully recognized it at the time, but I do now Mom. Love you! And your Bisquick pancakes.
I admit I thought about copying the Bisquick recipe to include here, but if you have the box, you have the recipe. Instead, I thought it would be fun to include a couple of my favorite foodie friend’s pancake stories and recipes. 😊
More Heritage Recipe Project Articles
Do you have a recipe that's been passed down through generations, a tradition that brings your family together, or a memorable food-related story that you think would make a fantastic visual narrative? We'd love to hear from you! Send us an email at connect@asweeat.com.
If your submission is chosen, you'll receive a special treat! As a token of my appreciation, I’ll transform your selected recipe beautiful visual narrative. This includes a printed illustrated recipe, ready to frame, and a printed illustrated recipe card. You can proudly display it in your kitchen, share it with your loved ones, or simply keep it as a cherished memento of your culinary heritage.
If you would like to further support this project, there are a couple of ways that you can become a patron subscriber. Choose one of the paid tiers here, purchase something from our Amazon wish list, or buy me a tea - I know it says Buy Me a Coffee, but we’re tea gals.
Let’s Stay Connected
Follow us on Instagram @asweeat,
Join our Family Recipes, Traditions, and Food Lore community on Facebook
Subscribe to the As We Eat Journal
Listen to the As We Eat Podcast
Do you have a great idea 💡 for a show topic, a recipe 🥘 that you want to share, or just say “hi”👋🏻? Send us an email at connect@asweeat.com
Looking for a unique gift idea for a birthday, anniversary, holiday, host or hostess, or just because? Consider giving a subscription to the As We Eat Journal.
What a sweet post.
It must be pancake season. I made some just yesterday!