This isn't so much a recipe as an idea. It's just pancakes with a twist.

Here's your grocery list:

• Box of pancake mix - Be sure to read the instructions on the box. If you don't get a special premix pancake mix, you may need to get eggs.
• Milk
• Sausage - The patty kind. It comes in a plastic tube. Something like Jimmy Dean sausage. Don't get the link kind.
• Cooking oil or Crisco
• Maple syrup - For crying out loud, don't forget the syrup.

Supplies

• A griddle, which is the large flat one.
• Another pan for the sausage.
• Spatula, sometimes called a turner.
• A large mixing bowl
• Measuring cup
• Knife - Fork

Cut off about three inches of the sausage, put it into the pan and let it start cooking. Break up the slab into bite sized chunks. Don't cut them too small.

While that's going, prepare the pancake batter according to the directions on the box. I've found that the recommend serving size is far too small for my taste. Be sure to make enough batter for at least three large pancakes.

Wait for the meat to cook until it's completely brown. Do not put the sausage into the batter.

Now prepare the griddle. Put it on medium heat and let it warm up. Put a spoonful of the cooking oil or shortening on the griddle and tilt the griddle to spread it around.

Next pour out some of the batter. It really should be no larger than six inches in diameter. Big ones are hard to turn over. I usually make two pancakes at a time. While it's cooking, drop some sausage bits onto the top.

Turn the pancake. Don't turn it too early. It's ready when you can lift the whole pancake off the griddle without the batter on the top pouring off. The batter on top should be almost all the way cooked. Turning it over just browns it nicely. Once it's turned, it only needs to cook another thirty seconds or so.

Once you've lifted the two pancakes from the griddle and onto your plate, put more shortening onto the griddle, let it melt, and repeat the whole thing again. Keep doing this until you've used up all your batter.

If you end up with too many pancakes, just cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator. They're only a microwave minute away from being ready to eat again.

Serve them hot with plenty of maple syrup and a tall glass of milk. For extra punch, sprinkle cinnamon powder generously on the top before pouring on the syrup.

Suggested beverage: Milk, and once you've finished, a beer (to help the digestion)

Chow.

:^D