Sourdough pancakes

Don't waste that sourdough discard - make these easy, wonderfully fluffy pancakes instead!

📝 Ingredients

• 105 g sourdough starter (approx 1/2 cup - does not need to be fed)
• 105 g all purpose flour (approx 3/4 cup)
• 165 g milk (3/4 cup)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (25g, melted)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking powder ((optional - see notes))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Night before (making "sponge") ---
2. 2Put the starter, flour, milk and sugar in a medium bowl and mix together to incorporate - try to ensure no lumps. Cover the bowl eg with a dishtowel and leave in a cool room temperature place overnight (Note: if the room is too warm or it's a long overnight, the mixture may become too sour - if you are unsure, use half the liquid amount of water and half the flour, then add remaining milk and flour in morning). You can also prepare the mixture in the morning around 30 minutes before cooking but the flavor will be less developed.
3. 3--- When ready to cook ---
4. 4Warm a skillet/frying pan or griddle over a medium-high heat - either a large one to cook multiple pancakes at a time or a small one to hold one.
5. 5Melt the butter and allow to cool slightly so that it is not hot. Whisk this with the egg then add the mixture to the sourdough "sponge" mixture. Mix together. Add the remaining ingredients (vanilla, baking soda, salt and baking powder if using) and mix in - the mixture should bubble up a little. Try not to mix any more than needed.
6. 6Take a heaped quarter cup measure (around 4-5tbsp) of the batter and pour onto the skillet/griddle (and repeat, if cooking a few at once). Cook for around 3 minutes until you see plenty of bubbles on top and looks gently golden when you check under. Flip the pancake over carefully and cook for around another 2-3 minutes on the other side.
7. 7Put the cooked pancakes on a plate and cover with a dishcloth while you cook the rest of the batter. Serve as you prefer eg with syrup or honey and fruit.