Happy New Year and Papa Miner's Hot Cakes With Strawberry Sauce

Some days in Santa Barbara, the sun peeks shyly over the horizon, blushing softly in pastel pink and orange, her light barely kissing the sleeping Channel Islands and her skirts brushing the sea with the palest reflection of her light. This morning she rose hot and harsh with flashing eyes and a challenge to get up and get things done! I had two weeks with very little time on the computer, busy with family and friends and holiday meals--but it's time to get back to work. I finally tasted the famed "Papa Miner's Buttermilk Hot Cakes" after years of hearing how great they were. Papa Miner was a crusty character who purchased 330 acres of Southern California land just below the National Forest, to build a family compound with houses for his kids. The kids produced grandkids who lived an idyllic life safely romping in the woods and gobbling up hot cakes. They (the hot cakes, not the grandkids!) were smothered in strawberry sauce, simmered from bushels of fruit harvested from the extensive garden. Grandpa Miner is long gone and sadly it seemed that his recipe had passed as well, but lo, a recipe was found and I share it with you below. These hot cakes are both dense and fluffy, which seems contradictory, but try them and see for yourself!

PAPA MINER'S HOT CAKES:
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/4 cups buttermilk (regular, not non-fat)
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. dark Karo syrup
Sift the dry ingredients together, then mix with a whisk. Separate the eggs and beat the egg whites until stiff. Mix the yolks with the Karo syrup. Shake the buttermilk well and add to the egg yolk mixture and whisk together. Add the liquid mixture to the flour mixture and gently turn over with a large wooden spoon until just mixed. Carefully fold in the egg whites. Don't beat the batter; it will be lumpy. Cook on a griddle until bubbles form in the dough, then turn to cook the other side. Serve with the strawberry sauce (and whipped cream if you want a sweet treat). Makes about 14 medium pancakes.
STRAWBERRY SAUCE:
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
+ Karo syrup to taste
Bring to a boil, then simmer until the strawberries are soft. Taste and add Karo, if desired.