good to the last bite
Lawn chairs stashed. Canoe in the shed. Bedding folded, bathroom cleaned, inflatables deflated. There. Done. Mostly… You still have the kitchen cupboards and fridge to pack, but wait! Rather than schlepping home all those odds and ends, there’s no reason you can’t use them to create a little culinary magic. But don’t just use up your summer’s leftovers, make something spectacular.
Pancake Mix Faux-caccia
Serve warm squares of fake focaccia as a tasty starter with an antipasto assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, and whatever else you can find at the back of the fridge or pantry (hello, anchovies!). It will keep the troops happy while you get the main meal together.
⅓ cup olive oil, divided
3 cups pancake mix
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp hot pepper flakes (if desired)
1 cup milk
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (see Tip)
½ tsp coarse or kosher salt
½ tsp dried rosemary (or more oregano)
Toppings (optional, see Tip)
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spoon out
2 tbsp of the olive oil into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread it over the bottom and sides.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the pancake mix, thyme, oregano, and hot pepper flakes. Add
