Corn and Scallion Pancakes

These Corn and Scallion Pancakes make a great main course (with a hearty side dish like black beans), side dish, or a weekend brunch delight. You can prepare the batter up to 12 hours in advance and cook them up fresh and hot when you are ready to serve them.

Let your child help you make the batter and ladle it into the hot skillet. He or she can also snip the scallions with a pair of scissors, and put the toppings on the table. I find that when kids are invested in preparing a meal, they are more likely to enjoy eating it, too.

Is your nonstick skillet getting sticky? Unlike cast iron, stainless steel and aluminum pans, most nonstick skillets aren't built to last. In fact, salespeople at cooking stores often recommend that nonstick skillets be replaced every 2-3 years. If after a couple of years you find that food is sticking to your nonstick pans surface, try cleaning it thoroughly with a plastic scouring brush and rubbing some vegetable oil on its surface. If that doesn't work, it's time to let it go.