Banana Pancakes

"Make you banana pancakes, pretend like it the week-end now..." Pancakes and week-end just seem to go together. They always make me think of lazy Saturday or Sunday mid-morning's with nothing to do but drink coffee and read the paper in your pj's. Since hubs has been deployed I haven't made pancakes at all. Maybe because making pancakes for yourself feels lonely or maybe it just because you can't make just one or two pancakes! I like my pancakes with fruit and/or nuts added in them. Banana pancakes with toasted walnuts are probably my favorite. Just drizzle them with some warm maple syrup and a bit of butter *drool*. Leftovers do freeze quite well by the way. Can't wait till hubs and I can enjoy a lazy week-end eating pancakes together...sigh.

Anyway when I saw the "Eat to the Beat" event hosted by Elly says Opa, I immediately though of the song Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson. Check it out here. And while your listening, make some banana pancakes because... "This song is meant to keep you, from doing what your supposed to."
Banana Walnut Pancakes
Adapted from Joy of Cooking

Whisk together in a large bowl:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix in another bowl:
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Mix the liquid ingredients quickly into the dry ingredients. Do not over mix.
Fold in:
3/4 cup of finely diced banana
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Allow mixture to rest, covered and refrigerated at least 20 minutes. Can be made the night before.
Spray griddle or large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over
medium heat until hot. For each pancake, pour scant 1/4 cup batter onto hot
griddle. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until puffed on edges and bubbles begin
to break on surface. Turn; cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.