Not a paczki fan? Celebrate with pancakes instead.

Photo by Flickr user potaufeu

Dutch pancakes (or pannenkoeken) are usually large and somewhat eggy, and feature everything from fruit to a thick syrup (stroop) to more savory flavors like cheese and onions. My favorite pancake joint, located in the historic walled city of Heusden, served the most amazing mushroom, gouda and onion pancakes I've ever tasted.

This Pannenkoeken Dag, I'll be celebrating with my favorite blueberry pancake recipe. One of the things I love about this recipe is the texture that comes from the cornmeal and the richness that is added by the yogurt. I've also had great success in making these celiac-friendly by replacing the wheat flour with rice flour. Thanks to the corn meal, the grittier texture of the rice flour isn't noticeable the way it can be in baked goods (rice flour brownies are really kind of gross, in case you were wondering).

Blueberry Pancakes
from Dorie Greenspan's "Pancakes: From Morning to Midnight "

1 cup all-purpose flour (rice flour can be substituted)
½ cup yellow cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
½ cup plain yogurt
½ cup milk
2 large eggs
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp grated orange zest
¼ tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup blueberries (you can use frozen, but don’t thaw before using)

In a bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together.

In another bowl, whisk the yogurt, milk, eggs, melted butter, orange zest, and vanilla together; mix well.

Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk, stopping when everything is just combined (don’t worry if batter is a bit lumpy).

With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the blueberries (batter will be very thick).

Lightly butter, oil, or spray your griddle or skillet.

Preheat over medium heat, or if using an electric griddle, set to 350°.

Spoon ¼ cup batter onto griddle for each pancake and use a spatula or the back of a spoon to lightly press the batter into rounds.

When the undersides are golden, flip the pancakes over and cook until the other sides are light brown (because the pancakes are thick, they need a bit more time to bake and you may not get the normal speckling of holes).

Serve immediately. Makes 10 pancakes.