| How to Make Fast and Easy Pancakes Posted: 18 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT There's nothing better than a stack of hot, fluffy pancakes to get your morning started. Most people think pancakes are too much preparation and work to serve as a quick breakfast, but they don't have to be. You can whip up a batch up delicious flapjacks in as little as fifteen minutes by keeping the necessary ingredients on hand, mixing up a simple batter and cooking several pancakes to perfection at a time. [Edit]Ingredients - 1 cup flour
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 2 tsps sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 tbsps canola or vegetable oil
- 2-3 tbsps butter (as a substitute for oil)
[Edit]Mixing the Batter - Measure out your dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 2 teaspoons sugar and a pinch of salt. Stir the dry ingredients together until they're evenly distributed. Use the bottom of a spoon or ladle to press a small well into the center of the dry mix to make mixing in the other ingredients easier.[1]
- Baking powder is optional, but will produce fluffier pancakes that rise better during the cooking process.
- Add milk and an egg. Crack one egg into the well you made in the dry ingredients. Pour roughly ¾ cup of milk into the well. Stir the the egg and milk into the dry ingredients, making sure to beat the egg. For a thicker batter, use slightly less milk.[2]
- Add the milk slowly and gradually while you stir. If the batter comes out thicker than you like, you can always add another ounce. If you use too much, however, you'll have to add more flour, which will throw the recipe off.
- Some people also like to add about a teaspoon of oil to the batter itself. This can help the ingredients hold together better once they've been mixed.
- Whisk until the batter thickens. Whisk the ingredients together vigorously until it becomes a batter. Try to break up as many of the lumps of flour and baking powder as you can. The batter should be smooth and have a thick, creamy consistency when it's done.[3]
- Be careful not to overmix your batter. This can make the pancakes slightly tough and rubbery after they're cooked.[4]
- Let the batter rest for a few minutes. Set a timer for 3-5 minutes and give the batter time to rest. As it sits, it will continue to set up and thicken. Stir the batter occasionally to eliminate air bubbles. While you're letting the batter rest, you can begin preparing your cooking surface.[5]
- Resting the batter gives the starches time to relax after whisking them together so that the pancake will turn out light and fluffy.
- This is a good time to add other ingredients to your pancake batter, such as chocolate chips, blueberries, coconut, etc.
[Edit]Preparing Your Cooking Surface - Ready a large griddle or skillet. Find a surface to cook your pancakes on. Choose a griddle or skillet that is flat and large enough to cook several pancakes at once. Place the skillet on the cooktop and have the batter and the rest of your ingredients close by.[6]
- If the cooking surface you're using isn't very large, you'll either have to make smaller pancakes or cook fewer at a time.
- Avoid saute-style pans with sloped edges. These can mess up the shape of the pancake and leave you with no room to flip them.[7]
- Turn on the stove to a medium heat. Let the cooktop begin to warm up the skillet or griddle. It's essential to bring the cooking surface to the right temperature. If it's too hot, the pancake batter is likely to burn, while if it's not hot enough it can take much longer to cook and may leave the pancakes spongy in the middle even when they appear done on the outside.[8]
- The cooking surface will grow hotter the longer it's exposed to direct heat, so it's a good idea to turn it down a little after your first round of pancakes are done.
- Heat 1tbsp of oil or butter in the skillet. Pour about 2 tablespoons of canola oil into the skillet, or use 2-3 tablespoons of butter, or a combination of the two. Heat the oil or let the butter melt in the skillet, making sure to coat the entire cooking surface. Wait until just before the butter or oil begins to sizzle before adding the pancake batter.[9]
- If you're using oil to cook pancakes, canola or vegetable oil will work best, as they'll lubricate the skillet and cook the pancakes evenly without influencing their flavor.
- Cooking with butter is fine, but it can give the pancakes a denser, crispier outer texture once it cooks in. Wipe out the pan and add new butter after each batch to keep from burning it.[10]
- Ladle on the pancake batter in small circles. Use a deep ladle to pour the pancake batter onto the hot cooking surface. Aim to make each pancake 3-4 inches in diameter. On a large enough cooking surface, you'll be able to cook up to 4 pancakes at a time. Keep the edges of the batter separated so the pancakes don't stick together.[11]
- Keep the pancakes compact. Pancakes that are too big will be difficult to flip.
- Don't use too much batter for a single pancake, or the outside will get done while the inside is still goopy.
[Edit]Cooking and Serving the Pancakes - Cook the pancakes until they begin to bubble. Depending on the heat of the skillet and the size of the pancakes, they'll need to cook for somewhere between 30 seconds and a minute on each side. Once bubbles begin to form in the wet batter on the top of the pancake, it's time to turn them over. Look for the edges to solidify and brown ever so slightly before flipping them.[12]
- Bubbles indicate that the first side of the pancake is done and that heat is trying to escape through the other side.[13]
- Slide your spatula under each pancake after they've been cooking for a few moments to make sure they don't stick to the skillet.
- Flip the pancakes over and continue cooking on the other side. Flip each pancake over with a spatula. Let the pancakes cook for another 20-30 seconds on the opposite side. Because they've already been partially cooked through, they won't take long to get done after you flip them. Keep an eye on the underside of the pancakes to make sure they don't burn.[14]
- Flip the pancakes over in one fluid motion to prevent breaking them or making a mess.[15]
- After flipping the pancakes, lift up one edge and peek at the bottom to gauge their progress.
- Remove the pancakes from the heat when they're golden brown. Once both sides are a nice golden brown, take them out of the skillet and divvy them up amongst your hungry eaters. Start a second batch to use up whatever batter you have left over. If necessary, add a little more butter or oil to the skillet. Otherwise, the outside of the pancakes will be more likely to burn.[16]
- Some people may like their pancakes slightly more brown or a little undercooked. Cook the pancakes until they're done enough to suit your tastes.
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Stack your pancakes high and top them with a square of butter or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. You could also choose to add whipped cream, fresh fruit, nuts, jam, chocolate chips or even crushed candy pieces. Pancakes are a fun, easy morning treat that can be customized to even the pickiest eater's liking.[17]
- Give your pancakes a delicious theme, pairing classic fruit combinations like strawberry and banana, or make their flavor profiles more complex with additives like cinnamon, coconut or lemon zest.
- There are no rules. Almost anything can go on a steaming hot stack of pancakes!
- Wait until the pancakes are completely done on one side before you flip them.
- Always make pancake mix from scratch. It doesn't take long, and batter that is mixed and refrigerated ahead of time can take on a different consistency the longer it sets up, resulting in dry and brittle or tough, rubbery pancakes.
- Make sure your griddle or skillet has a non-stick surface.
- If available, cook with clarified butter to keep it from burning when heated.
- Unless you're an experienced cook, use a spatula to flip the pancakes rather than tossing them. This is an easy way to ruin the pancakes and make a mess.
- To try red velvet pancakes, you can add red velvet coloring and cocoa powder to the batter.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful when handling a hot pan or griddle.
- Do not eat pancakes made with refined flour if you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten.
- Keep the heat moderate to prevent being burned by popping, sizzling oil.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Ladle
- Spatula
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Garden Posted: 17 May 2020 05:00 PM PDT Having a garden can be a wonderful way to grow your own vegetables, beautify your property, or attract local wildlife. You can plant a large garden in your backyard, or you can plant a small garden if you have limited space. You can even plant a garden using nothing but containers. If you are thinking about starting a garden and you are not sure where to begin, then there are several things that might help. Consider different garden types, prepare your garden plot and tools, select your seeds and plants, and then plant your garden. [Edit]Choosing a Type of Garden - Decide what you want to grow or do with your garden. There are many different types of gardens and uses for a garden, so think about what your ideal type of garden would provide. Some of the different types of gardens include:[1]
 - Vegetable garden. This may be the most popular and practical type of garden. By growing your own vegetables, you can save money and increase the number of fresh vegetables you eat.
- Flower garden. A flower garden adds beauty to your yard and it can be a relaxing escape for you. If you are mainly interested in beautifying your property, then a flower garden may be the best choice. You can plant perennials, annuals, or a mixed garden.
- Butterfly or hummingbird garden. You cannot grow butterflies or hummingbirds, but you can plant flowers that will attract them to your yard, like pollen-rich wildflowers, dill, fennel, and milkweed.[2] A butterfly or hummingbird garden can be a great type of garden to plan with kids.
- Wildlife garden. A wildlife garden is one that helps to support the animals in your area by providing them with sources of food and shelter. These are typically plants that are native to your area, so you would need to learn what your native species are to plan your garden.[3]
- Consider how much space you have available. If you have lots of space, then you can plant a garden in the ground. If you have limited space or simply do not want to plant in the ground, then you can also plant a garden in containers. You can grow a variety of different plants in pots and keep them on a patio or in a sunny spot of your yard. Some plants even thrive in containers indoors, so using containers may also be ideal if you live in an apartment.[4]
- If you live in an area with good soil that is not too rocky or sandy, then growing your garden in-ground is a good option.
- If growing your garden in-ground is not a viable choice, then consider buying containers to grow your plants in or building above ground beds. Above ground beds are great because they are easier on your back and can be moved around your yard if desired. Make sure the containers or beds are large enough for the plants you want to grow and that they have good drainage.
- If you are limited on space, but still want to have your garden outside, then you can grow a vertical garden. These types of gardens use small planters or stacked crates and upright-growing plants.
- Determine how much sun your plants will get. Many plants require around 6 to 8 hours of full sun to thrive. If you do not have an area that will provide this much sun, then you can still plant a garden. You will just have to choose plants that thrive in the shade or with less sun.[5]
- Try checking the area where you plan to grow your garden a few times per day on a sunny day to see how long the sun is shining in that area. For example, you could check at 7am, 11am, 2pm, and 5pm, and make a note if the sun is shining on that area around that time. If the sun is shining on an area during two or three of your checks, then sun-loving plants will probably thrive there.
[Edit]Preparing Your Garden Plot and Tools - Choose a plot. Location is important when you are planning your garden. Most importantly, determine if the area you want to use gets enough sun. Then, consider if the size is appropriate for what you want to do with it and also consider how you will water this garden. You should either be able to pull a hose over to it if it is a large garden, or be able to carry a full watering can to it if it is smaller.
- If you are going to be growing a container garden, it is still important to identify a suitable area to place the containers. The area should have good sunlight, enough room for the plants to grow upwards, and they should be easy to transport to a source of water or located somewhere that is convenient to bring water to them.
- Test the soil. Good soil will have an adequate amount of lime, phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Find out how much of each you have in your soil, and what you need to add more of to get the best growing plants. If you are planting a container garden, then you don't need to worry about this. You can just use potting soil that is appropriate for the type of plants you will be growing.
- You can purchase an at-home soil testing kit from many hardware and garden stores. Follow the directions to find out the properties of your garden soil.
- You can take soil samples from around your garden and have them sent to your local state-certified soil testing lab or university extension service, and for a small fee they will lab-test your soil and send you the results within a week. This is much easier than testing the soil yourself, but it does cost more.
- Take multiple soil samples from around your garden to make sure that you are getting accurate test results.
- Test your soil's pH to see if you need to make changes to balance it. To do this, use a pH testing kit or make your own test at home and check the soil from your garden. Certain plants prefer different pH levels, but it is best to have soil that is as close to neutral - a pH of 7 - as possible.[6]
- Prepare your soil. Once you have your soil and pH tests completed, ready your soil by adding the necessary nutrients to help your plants grow.
- Add organic matter to help enrich your soil with nutrients. You can use compost (from your own compost pile, if you have one), decomposing leaves, peat moss, or decomposed animal manure. All of these are available for purchase at local gardening centers if you don't have easy access to them.
- Add fertilizer to your soil to help substitute in nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium that you may be lacking. The label on the fertilizer bag will tell you exactly how much of each of these nutrients is present. The numbers 5-10-5, for example, tells you that the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous, and 5% potassium.
- Following the results of your pH test, if your soil is alkaline (above 7), try adding lime or wood ash to neutralize it. If your soil is acidic (below 7), add peat moss or decomposing leaves.[7] Depending on what plants you want to grow you may not need to alter the pH. It is easier to grow plants that will survive in the existing soil.
- Research your area. It is important to find out information about growing conditions in your area. Look online, speak to a local garden consultant, or call your cooperative extension service.
- Find out when frosts start and end on average, so you know the right time to plant. Planting too early or too late can kill your seeds or plants, so it is vital to know when the best time to start is.
- Learn about local weather patterns that might impact your garden.
- Look-up the best time to harvest your fruits, berries, and vegetables in your area. Some of these may be straightforward, but some plants require a little more know-how about when the best time to harvest them is.
- Make a schedule of when each of your specific plants needs to be planted based on their habitat requirement and growing needs. Some plants may need to be started very early in the season, while others may not need planting until the summer.[8]
- Gather your tools. To make gardening as easy and relaxing as possible, it is important that you have all the right tools. Use a shovel, gloves, gardening trowel, a garden fork, baskets or buckets to hold weeds, and a watering can at least. You can purchase other tools, but it is not necessary for a small to medium sized garden.
- For a large garden you may also need to purchase a wheelbarrow, rakes and hoes, loppers, and a post-hole digger.
- Look into installing an automatic sprinkler system if you don't have time or the ability to hand-water your garden.[9]
[Edit]Selecting Your Seeds and Plants - Determine if you want to start your garden from seeds. Many plants do well when you start them from seeds. Check your local garden center for seed packets and look at the label to see how long they take to grow, when is the best time to plant them, and how much water they need.
- Growing from seed can take anywhere from one to four months depending on what you are growing, so it is important to plan ahead.
- Growing from seeds is the cheapest option, as a pack of seeds costs only a few dollars or cents. Full grown plants purchased from a gardening store can cost anywhere from $1 to $50 each.
- Growing from seed has the advantage of allowing you to start the seed in a container and keep it indoors or put it right into the ground. However, planting a seed in a container and starting it indoors may result in a healthier plant than starting outdoors in the ground.[10] It may also provide your plant with an earlier start since you will not have to wait for the last frost.
- Consider transplanting mature plants. The benefit of transplanting a mature plant into your soil or container is that it is already partially grown and will bear fruit sooner. The plant will also be more likely to survive and thrive. Transplanting mature plants takes only a few minutes of work once the rest of your garden has been prepped.
- Check your local garden store for mature plants and make sure to check the tags on the plants to determine if they will work for the type of garden you are planning.
- Check out flower bulbs. If you choose to grow flowers, you also have the option of planting bulbs. Bulbs are easy to plant, and some of them (the perennials) will come back every year. Some bulbs are annuals and will need to be replanted every year.
- Keep in mind that bulbs only bloom for a few weeks at a time.
- Check your local garden store for bulbs that you can plant in your garden and enjoy year after year, such as tulips, daffodils and alliums.
[Edit]Planting Your Garden - Arrange your plants. Choose where you want each plant to go in your garden. Keep in mind the amount of sunlight they need and the overall size they will grow. Starting with small plants can be misleading, as some may get very large and eventually need bigger plots or containers.
- Typically it is safe to give about of spacing between each plant, but make sure to read the seed package or tag on the plants to see how much room they will need.
- You will also want to leave enough space between rows so that you will be able to walk between them. Plan to leave about between rows.[11]
- Try to keep your plants in groups by variety. For example, you can plant all of your vegetables in the same section of your garden, and keep your flowers or berries in another section.
- Find out which plants will grow the tallest, as they will create shade over time and should only be planted near other plants that will also grow tall, or near plants that require less sunlight and more shade.
- Plant your seeds or plants. Using the arrangement you have devised, place each plant in the garden. Dig a hole twice the size and the same depth as the root ball, or as indicated on your seed packet. The depth will vary anywhere from to for seed depth depending on what you are planting.[12] It does not matter if you are planting in a container or in the ground. Use the depth guidelines provided on the seed packet.
- Don't dig a hole that is too deep. Only dig far enough to allow room for all of the roots without covering up the stem or leaves. The soil in the ground should be level with the soil of the plant you are planting.
- Gently set each plant into its hole, so as to not damage any part of it. Use your fingers or a trowel to slowly scoop dirt back into the hole over the roots. If the plant you are planting is root bound, meaning the roots are wrapping around the container, gently massage and loosen them before planting. This will help the plant roots spread out into the surrounding soil instead of continuing to wrap around the root ball, choking itself out.
- Add mulch. Getting as many nutrients into the soil as you are able will help your plants to grow full and healthy. Mulch will help with this and it will also help to prevent weeds from growing.[13] Spread mulch between each of the plants in a layer about one inch thick.
- For vegetables, add straw or decomposed leaves as mulch around your plants for the best results.
- Flowers do well with wood chips or bark as mulch.[14]
- Water your plants. The first few weeks after planting should have a bit more water to help the roots to get settled. Avoid over watering, though, by flooding the top layer of your garden. You only need to provide about one inch of water per week, so you may not need to water your garden at all if it rains.[15]
- Use a watering can or a spray attachment to your hose to water the plants. Water them from high up, so that you don't damage any of their leaves or stalks.
- After a few days of watering 1-2 times daily, you can water less often. Move to watering once every two days or so.[16]
- Keep an eye on your garden and weed it regularly. Once your garden is settled, give it time to grow. A healthy garden will last several seasons if it is properly taken care of. Make sure to check your garden for weeds on a regular basis and pull out any weeds you spot.
- Consider putting up a fence. If you are growing a vegetable garden, then you may want to put up a fence around it to protect it from wildlife. This is not absolutely necessary, but it can help if you find that you have frequent invaders.
- Keep in mind that deer can jump very high. Your fence will need to be at least high to prevent them from jumping into your garden.[17]
- Harvest your garden. When your garden has grown to maturity, harvest the fruits of your labor. Carefully pick or cut vegetables, berries, herbs, and flowers for use in your own home. Or, simply enjoy walking and relaxing in your garden if you have created it to beautify your property.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Help Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Outbreak Posted: 17 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT With the new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading around, many governments are recommending social distancing to prevent transmission. While this is great for keeping the virus more contained, it can be financially difficult for small businesses that rely on foot traffic. If you're a customer, you can still find ways to support your favorite local businesses to help them stay afloat. If you're a business owner, do your best to stay calm and check if your country or state can offer you any financial aid. [Edit]Buying from a Small Business - Buy products off of the business's website if they have one. Try searching for the name of the business online to see if they have a website or an e-commerce store. If you can, purchase a few extra products than what you would normally buy so you can stock up and help the business make more money. Opt for delivery to avoid contact with people, or use in-store pickup if the business is local and you're feeling healthy enough to go out.
- If the business doesn't have a website, call them and see if there are other ways that you can order products from them.
- Purchase gift cards so you can shop at a later time. Many businesses are willing to offer vouchers or certificates for the time being so you can still support them without spending a lot of time in the store. Ask the business if they offer gift cards and find out if they have an expiration date so you know when you need to use them by. Get a gift card for the regular amount you would spend if possible so the business still has a source of income.[1]
- Some businesses may allow you to buy digital gift cards or vouchers so you can order them online. Check the business's website to see if they have any promotions listed.
- If you go to the store to buy your gift card, wash your hands as soon as you can to keep them disinfected.
- Order takeout or delivery from local restaurants. Even though many restaurants are closing dine-in services, you may still be able to order from them. Try calling the business to see if you can place a takeout or delivery order from them directly. Otherwise, check on delivery apps to see if they're listed there. Usually, you can place your order for pickup if you don't want to pay for delivery fees.[2]
- The restaurant's drive-thru window may still be open even if the lobby is closed. If you aren't sure, call ahead and ask.
- Tip extra if to help support wait staff and delivery drivers. Many food service workers won't get as much income from tips during the outbreak, so it can be a stressful time for them as well. Try to add at least 5% extra onto your tip if you're able to help support them. If you aren't able to leave a large tip, give as much as you comfortably can.[3]
- If possible, try to tip ahead of time through the delivery app using your credit or debit card since you can easily spread bacteria when you use cash.
- You may also use person-to-person payment apps like Venmo or Cash App for tipping. Just ask the driver if they have an account so you can transfer money to them.
[Edit]Getting Financial Assistance as a Business Owner - Apply for a disaster relief loan if your country's treasury offers one. Visit the website for your country's treasury or chamber of commerce and look for a page about coronavirus or COVID-19 assistance. Check the details and eligibility for the loan your government can offer you and follow any prompts on the screen to start your application. Fill out all of your business's information and submit the application when you're finished. You should get a response within a few business days, but it may take longer due to many businesses applying.[4]
- It usually takes 2–3 weeks for financial assistance to come through, but it may take longer.
- You may also be able to find information about small business associations in your country that can match you to other private lenders.[5]
- Check your state's Chamber of Commerce site for aid if you're in the US. Search for your state's Chamber of Commerce department or visit the governor's website to find resources and information about the COVID-19 outbreak. Read through the loans or grants that your state has to see what you're able to qualify for. Fill out any applications or send query emails to the officials listed on the site to see if you qualify for aid.[6]
- The benefits you receive may vary by state or even local government.
- Reach out to your bank to see if they'll waive service fees. Contact your financial service provider and ask them about what measures they're taking during the outbreak. Ask them about waiving fees for withdrawals or monthly services so you aren't spending as much money that would normally be profits. Make sure you're aware of any additional terms, such as repayment or interest percentages, so you aren't surprised by them later on.[7]
- Encourage sick employees to stay at home so they don't spread coronavirus.[8]
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds after going to a public place, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing to help get rid of bacteria.[9]
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid going to stores or restaurants if you feel sick or have symptoms of coronavirus.[10]
- Coronavirus can spread even if you don't actively notice symptoms. Do your best to keep between you and other people, and especially avoid physical contact with anyone who's been sick.[11]
- Avoid touching your face if you haven't washed your hands since you could easily transmit COVID-19.[12]
[Edit]References |
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