Granny's Girdle comes into its own

My grandmother was a wonderful woman.  A midwife, a Dundee doctor's wife (and his dispenser), a powerhouse of energy and a model housewife who could clean something to within an inch of its life and remove any stain from anything.  She (Sadie) was one of 10 siblings and had sisters called Beldie, Katie, Maisie, Ovie and Flora.  Most of them lived well into their 90s (and Ovie is still going strong at 90+).  Katie was 102 when she finally popped out to the Chemist and popped her clogs. 

I an proud to have a few of my Granny's things  but two I treasure above the others - her preserving pan and her Girdle.  North of the border this is not a complicated item of underwear but the perfect receptacle for a batch of pancakes. The Girdle comes out on lazy Saturday mornings or days when we find ourselves with a little more time and the chance of a leisurely breakfast.

If you cook up a batch of these, spare a thought for Mrs. Sadie Duncan and the inspiration and love she brought to our lives.

Gluten and Diary Free Breakfast Scotch Pancakes (Drop Scones)

Heat and lightly grease Granny's girdle or a large non-stick frying pan.  Place a large plate and a clean tea towel in a very low oven to keep the pancakes warm as you make them. 

Place the following ingredients in a large bowl or jug:

175g gluten-free self-raising flour (Doves Farm and Asdas are both good)
1 tsp gluten-free baking powder
45g caster sugar
1 egg
200 mls soya milk (or a mixture of soya milk, plain soya yogurt and water)
20g melted sunflower (or other dairy free) margarine

Whisk until there are no lumps but don't over-mix.

Place large tablespoons of pancake mixture onto the girdle, about 4 at a time or however many you have room for.  Turn when the tops are all bubbly and no longer wet (usually about a minute).  Remove to the plate when both sides and golden and keep warm in the clean tea towel.

Serve spread lightly with sunflower margerine and maple syrup (or melt some golden syrup in the microwave so it pours).

Great with a plate of fresh fruit, soya yogurts and fresh coffee :)  Good with bacon and egg too.

For ordinary pancakes just use regular SR flour, dairy milk and butter.

You can make a really big one like Hannah, if you wish!