A piping-hot stack of buttered pancakes drenched in maple syrup is an all-American image. But the age-old tradition of preparing pancakes comes from countries all around the world-from the crisp lentil patties of Southern India to the buckwheat blini of Russia to the delicate crêpes of France. Pancake recipes range from the savory to the sweet, and over 45 simple yet imaginative variations can be found in Pancakes A to Z by award-winning cookbook author Marie Simmons. Effortlessly perfect food has become the trademark for Bon Appétit and Los Angeles Times Syndicate columnist Marie Simmons. In her 12th book, Pancakes A to Z, she applies her knack for dazzling combinations to the versatile pancake. Marie starts with the basic formula for the all-American pancake and lets her culinary imagination take over from there: adding buttermilk lift; or stirring in sour cream, cottage cheese, applesauce, or yogurt to make the pancakes richer, more tender, sweetly moist or tangy; folding egg whites