Being a commercial fisherman, I understand how challenging it can be to cook on a boat, especially when the sea is rough.  But for those calm days when the water is smooth as glass, I have the perfect recipe that won't take up much space in the galley and won't require much of your time.

Introducing the mouth-watering Apple Puff Pancake!  This recipe is perfect for breakfast or brunch and is simple to make.  It involves adding thinly sliced apples to a skillet with melted butter, then topping them with a batter made of eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon.  The result is a fluffy and golden-brown pancake that is as visually pleasing as it is delicious.

To make this recipe more convenient to prepare on a boat, I recommend using a cast iron skillet or any other oven-proof dish to keep the pancake steady while it cooks.  To begin the recipe, preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  Then, once the butter has melted and sizzled in the skillet, add in the thinly sliced apples and pour the batter over the top.  Sprinkle brown sugar on top, then bake the pancake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until it's fully puffed and browned.

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can substitute sliced pears for the apples or bake the pancake in a larger dish if you're cooking for more people.  Don't forget to add a touch of sweetness by dusting the finished product with confectioners' sugar.

So, there you have it, my fellow fishermen!  A delectable and effortless recipe that is perfect for those calm days on the water.  Give it a try, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Apple Puffed Pancakes: Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (⅓ stick) butter
  • 8 eggs
  • 1⅓ cups 2 percent milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅓ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons light brown sugar maple syrup

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Add the butter to a 10-inch cast iron or oven proof skillet and melt in the oven for about 5 minutes.  In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon.  Batter will be slightly lumpy.  Add the apple slices to the skillet and return to the oven until the butter sizzles.  Pour batter over the apples and sprinkle with the brown sugar.

Bake the pancake for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and browned.  Serve immediately with maple syrup.

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Five months a year, LaDonna Gundersen lives on a 32-foot fishing boat in Southeast Alaska with her husband Ole, a commercial fisherman and their boat cat Keta.  Miles from civilization, LaDonna keeps boat and cooks healthy meals from her tiny 4 x 5’ galley kitchen, often contending with the swells and swallows of the sea.  Find more great galley recipes from her seven Alaskan-Themed cookbooks at ladonnarose.com

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