So many early recipes have been lost to time. My friend Laura Schenone, author of the cookbook 1000 Years Over a Hot Stove joined me in my kitchen to show me how to make Federal Pancakes - a recipe from post revolutionary America. The recipe first appeared in American Cookery, published in 1796. It was written by a woman named Amelia Simmons. She is credited with writing the first American cookbook.

You'll need:

-1/2 cup white flour
-3/4 cup rye flower
-3/4 cup cornmeal
-1 tsp. baking powder
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-2-3 Tbs of sugar
-2 eggs
-1 1/2 cup milk

Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well. In another large mixing bowl combine the eggs and milk and beat together. When beaten add the dry ingredients to the milk and eggs and mix until combined. Make sure your griddle is good and hot and well greased. Drop ladlefuls of batter onto your griddle and let them cook until bubbles form on the top. Flip and cook for a moment or two on the other side and then remove to your serving platter or individual plates. For a traditional New England breakfast serve with stewed apples.

Stewed apples:

You'll need

-4 apples, peeled and sliced thin
-2 tsp cinnamon
-1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

Put the apples in your crock-pot and add the seasonings. Mix well and stew over low heat for about 3 to 4 hours or until the apples are tender.

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