1Cblue cornmealYou can use regular yellow cornmeal if that's all you've got.
4large eggs
3Cmilk
1/2CoilAny vegetable oil will do. I used my favorite not-too-olivey baking olive oil - Jovia Groves' 2007 Arbequina, but any olive oil will do. You can order Jovia from Extra Virgin.
1tspvanilla extractI used 1/2 t vanilla extract and 1/2 t orange extract to give the pancakes an orange flavor. I highly recommend it! If you don't have orange extract, you could use some orange zest instead.
More oil for greasing griddleI prefer to use butter to grease, but either would work.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cornmeal.
In another bowl, lightly mix eggs, milk, oil, and extracts.
Add the wet ingredients to dry ingredients and combine well.
Preheat griddle to medium-hot. A drop of water will dance over the griddle when it is ready. Grease by spreading 2 tbsp oil on it and spread around with a folded paper towel. Keep the towel around to use for the next batch of cakes. (I used a cast iron skillet since I don't own a griddle. I just dropped some butter on the skillet and swirled it around until the whole skillet was covered. I did not need to use a towel.)
Pour from a pitcher or use a ladle to make standard round cakes. Turn cakes when edges are set and small bubbles form and pop on the surface.
After a minute or so, peek underneath. If they look golden and pancake-like, turn out to a plate.
Eat right away or keep warm in the oven until you are ready to enjoy them!
Notes
*Cut the pancake recipe in in half or even quarter it if you are making them for just a couple of people, or make the whole thing and put some in the freezer for a lazy Sunday morning.What to Put on Your PancakesYou can't go wrong with maple syrup on your pancakes (as long as you use the real stuff and not maple flavored crap). For an extra special treat, you might want to try making a homemade Grand Marnier syrup.