The Many Lives of the Pancake Breakfast
Flapjacks vs pancakes vs hotcakes…are they relatives of the pancake?
Pancakes are a very popular choice for breakfast all over the country. You’d probably have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t enjoy a short stack of fluffy pancakes, topped with butter and maple syrup. They’re equally delicious when served simply, or dressed up in many different ways.
There are many different names for pancakes including flapjacks, griddlecakes and hotcakes. All of these items are the same basic ingredients and cooking method, they just may be called a different name depending on region and the restaurant. Typically, in the U.S. flapjacks and pancakes are the same thing, the name is just used regionally. However, you may find some restaurants calling pancakes that are either a little smaller, or larger, than normal, “flapjacks.” Silver dollar pancakes are simply named for their size. In England, a flapjack is not a pancake at all, but a type of sweet bar cooking made from oats.”
A johnnycake is a small pancake made from cornmeal, salt and hot water or milk, rather than wheat flour. Johnnycakes were a staple item for early Americans and now they are very popular in New England, particularly Rhode Island. The South also makes this dish but it is called a hoecake.
Crepes, like those we serve at The Original Pancake House, are very thin pancakes made from flour, milk and eggs. They are very popular in France, Belgium and Switzerland and are served in a variety of ways, both sweet and savory.
Battle Breakfast Restaurants: Hash Browns vs Home Fries
Which do you prefer at breakfast restaurants, hash browns or home fries?
Potatoes show up on the menu at breakfast restaurants almost as much as eggs do. The potato is one of America’s favorite starches and we enjoy them at any time of the day. But potatoes go particularly well with breakfast and show up mostly in the form of hash browns or home fries, the two most popular sidekicks to your eggs.
When it comes to the breakfast battle of hash browns vs home fries, let’s start with the difference between the two. Hash browns (or hashbrowns and hashed browns), are traditionally shredded potatoes that are pan fried to a golden brown. Home fries are made from cubed or diced potatoes. They are fried up along with onions and often bell peppers. Hash browns and home fries are staple items of breakfast restaurants around the country. The first known mention of “hashed browned potatoes” is by food author Maria Parloa in 1888. Over time the name was shortened to its current form.
At The Original Pancake House we prefer home fries because they have more texture as well as more flavor with the addition of onions and seasonings. We think they have a bit more personality and are more “homey” than the simple shreds of hash browns. They make a great side dish to many of our fantastic breakfast dishes.