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Pancakes are the staple of a delicious breakfast and the highlight of a casual brunch. But for many weekend chefs, the first pancake inevitably ends up in the trash can or the belly of the family pet.

So what’s the secret to perfect pancakes? How can you master the art of cooking right from the very first pancake?

Here are a few of the most frequent pitfalls of the pancake artist:

* Leaving lumps in the batter. Although many people feel that good pancake batter should be lumpy and uneven, many chefs actually encourage cooks to completely mix the batter until it’s the consistency of rich cream. This allows the gluten to be released from the flour. For best results, whisk the batter thoroughly for several minutes to allow air into the mixture.

* Cooking right away. It’s hard to wait for breakfast, especially when it’s something as delicious as pancakes. But batter needs some time to set - at least one hour minimum, but three hours is ideal. This allows the starch to grow and expand and air bubbles to release. For lighter, fluffier pancakes, mix your batter and then cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap and let it sit for a few hours in the fridge.

* Using a pan that is not properly seasoned. For best pancake results, start with a flat non-stick frying pan. Season the pan with a bit of vegetable oil first by heating the pan and then roll up some paper towel and carefully rub the oil into every inch of the heated pan. Leave the pan to cool down and then remove the unused oil. While not everyone can devote an entire fry pan just to pancakes, you’ll find the most success if you never wash a seasoned pan. Instead, wipe it down after cooking with a wet cloth.

* Using a pan that is either too cold or too hot. Stove temperatures vary, so there is no “perfect” setting to make pancakes. Ideally, the frying pan should be so hot that it almost smokes. But if it’s giving off plumes of bluish smoke, then it’s too hot and your pancakes will burn.

If you’re not sure if your pan is ready for cooking, throw on a few drops of water. If the water instantly evaporates on contact, your pan is too hot. If the water sits for awhile and takes its time to boil, then you need to turn up the temperature a few notches. You’ll know the pan is the right temperature when the water droplets sizzle on contact and then evaporate after a few seconds

* Pouring too much batter. Most amateur pancake chefs make the crucial mistake of overdoing it on the batter for the first pancake. This usually results in a thick, oily cake that is burned on the outside and raw in the middle. For thin crepe-style pancakes, use just enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan by turning the pan in circles. For thicker pancakes, use about half a ladle or about two or three tablespoons.

* Flipping the pancake too soon. Once you’ve poured the batter, let the pancake set for a few seconds, or until small bubbles start to form on the surface and the edges begin to look solid. Then take a spatula and gently jostle the ends of the pancake before shaking the pan to jar the cake loose. Firmly place the spatula under the entire pancake and then flip it in one quick motion. Stack pancakes on top of each other to keep them from cooling down too quickly while you continue cooking.

Follow these tips and your first pancake will wow your guests and loved ones - instead of your dog.

For the perfect breakfast in Kingston Ontario, visit Bistro Stefan

Kingston Ontario Canada has many fine dining establishments. Some cater to eccentric tastes, some to an eclectic mix of  atmosphere and palette, and some cater to the fine diner who’s interested in comfort, style and elegance.

Bistro Stefan in Kingston Ontario, is a fine example of the later. Upon entering the restaurant, you’re greeted by the maître d who seats you and introduces you to your waiter or waitress. He offers you a wine list with a selection of regional and international wines, available from the vast wine cellar.

If you find it hard to choose from the succulent selections, your waiter or waitress will make suggestions based on what your preferences are. Whether you like meat, fish, poultry or even gourmet pizza, Bistro Stefan has a dish that will inspire your taste buds.

The ambiance of the restaurant is contemporary with a very elegant aura, the perfect setting for a fine dining experience. Men will feel comfortable in a shirt and sports coat and women in an evening dress.

The menu offers a delectable selection of appetizers, soups and salads, entrees, and even gourmet pizza. In addition, there’s a breakfast menu and even a Kid’s menu.

From personal experience, I highly recommend the following:

Appetizer:
Coconut Crusted Shrimp With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Soup:
Curried Apple Squash Soup

Entree:
Centre cut 8oz AAA Filet Mignon, Grilled to Taste, Herb Forest Mushroom, Garlic Mashed Potatoes,  Lemon Rosemary Jus

Dessert:
Chocolate Fondue

Whether you live in Kingston or you’re visiting, you owe it to yourself to experience the culinary pleasures and fine dining experience of Bistro Stefan.

Canadian interest rates are at an all-time low, so many Kingston residents are refinancing their mortgages. Many people refinance to cash in on the lower interest rates, to consolidate debt, make home renovations, invest in real estate, or take vacations.

If you’re considering refinancing your mortgage in Canada, and specifically, in Kingston Ontario, follow these tips to pay it off as fast as possible:

Tip #1

Prepay ASAP
As soon as your mortgage broker has placed your mortgage, start making extra payments as soon as you can. Mortgages are interest-heavy upfront, so the faster you pay down your principal, the more interest savings you will achieve. The bulk of your payments in the first five to seven years of your mortgage are simply paying interest. By making extra payments, you’re principle is reduced. This will save you thousands of dollars and help you increase your equity in your property.

Tip #2

Annual Lump Sum Payments
Most lenders let you pay off 20% of your mortgage in annual lump sum payments. For many Kingston residents, who get annual bonuses or raises, this is the perfect place to dump your extra money. It cuts years off the length of your mortgage and saves you tens of thousands of dollars.

Tip #3

Keep Your Monthly Payments The Same
If you have a variable-rate mortgage and the rates go down, your payment will also go down. Instead of making smaller monthly payments, contact your lender and ask them to keep your payments the same.

Tip #4

Payment Round-Up
If your monthly mortgage payment is $862.15 and you round it up to $900, the additional $37.85 per month will chop years off your mortgage and put thousands of dollars in your pocket. Your mortgage broker can give you the exact figures for these calculations.

TIP #5

Pay Increase = Payment Increase
When you get a raise, or your income increases, apply the extra cash to your mortgage.

Tip #6

Increase Your Frequency
Change the frequency of your mortgage payments from monthly to bi-weekly, or even weekly. At the end of the year, you’ve made an additional payment and saved yourself another bundle of cash.

There are countless ways to save money on your mortgage. These six suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg. Your Kingston area mortgage broker can fill you in on an entire portfolio of ways to save money on your mortgage and cut down the length of time it takes you to pay it off.

—
Terry Telford is a publisher and avid promoter of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. If you live in Canada and you’re looking for a mortgage with low monthly payments, start off at www.BestRateFinders.com

Kingston Ontario offers a multitude of culinary delights from every corner of the globe. Authentic cuisine from China, Japan, Italy, Germany and France are all complimented by our own Canadian style and flair.

Kingston’s old world charm, combined with it’s modern style, give the city a warm and welcoming feel for the couple or family looking for a fine dining experience. Restaurants range from classic contemporary in design and cuisine to upscale modern and trendy.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, holiday or other important date and would like to experience fine dining in a relaxed, comfortable setting, Bistro Stefan offers an international menu to please your palette. Compliment your meal with a local, national or international wine, selected from Bistro Stefan’s exclusive wine cellar and prepare for a fine dining experience you will cherish until your next visit.

Bistro Stefan strives to use high quality local ingredients in their cuisine. Local Kingston producers of meat, vegetable, and dairy products are selected with care to ensure you experience the finest dining experience that Kingston has to offer.

An opening note on the Bistro Stefan website from the Maître d’hôtel, Stéphane Ouellet, says:

This is Kingston Ontario’s Fine Dining Experience

Bistro Stefan offers you the finest dining experience in Kingston Ontario. Relax and enjoy a dinner prepared from an internationally inspired menu and complimented with a selection from our wine cellar. We offer the finest wines from the region and around the world.

Join us for dinner in our relaxed, comfortable setting. We promise you an enjoyable and memorable experience.

—

Terry Telford is the publisher of Kingston East News and an avid promoter of Kingston Ontario. He highly recommends the fine dining experience at Bistro Stefan