Shake 'n Pour...

Lately, I have been craving pancakes, not the frozen kind either.  So that means cooking...and we all know how well I cook... Yesterday, I got the easiest pancake mix I could find "Shake 'n Pour" by Bisquick.  It looked extremely easy.  All I had to do was: add water, shake, and pour.  I can do that!  So, this morning I get up and get ready for my challenge.  I started reading the instructions: (1) FILL container with 2/3 cup cool water [Ok, I can do that - So, I did it] (2) SHAKE container hard for 30 seconds. Tap bottom corners of container to loosen remaining mix; shake again [Again, I can do that - So, I did it] (3) POUR batter onto hot greased skillet forming 4-inch pancakes [Piece of cake - So, I did it].  But, that was were the problem started...that's ALL the directions.  What am I supposed to do after that?  How do I get them cooked and on my plate so I could pour syrup on top?  It didn't tell me when I should flip them, how long should they cook on each side, or if both sides cooked at the same time!  I looked at Hope, Prada, and Louie and said, "Where's the rest of the instructions?!?!"  They commenced to barking and jumping up and down. (I don't know if they were cheering me on or telling me to stop before I burned anything down.)

Hurriedly, I read the container again.  Nope, no step 4.  The bottle did say that if I had any comments I should save the bottle and call 1.800.345.2443. I didn't have a comment... I had a question.  What's the number to call if you have questions?!?! It also gave me www.bisquick.com.  So, I logged on and went to the tip section.  Finally, I had an answer.  It said, "Flip pancakes only once! Repeated flipping will toughen the pancakes.  Pancakes are ready to flip when they're puffed, covered with bubbles and slightly dry around the edges.  Cook the other side until it is golden brown."  Hello?!?!  Why is this not on the container?  Luckily, I knew exactly when to flip my first pancake...after I saw the smoke rising up and smelled something burning.  I wouldn't have burned it if the container had all the instructions on it.  Doesn't Bisquick know that there are people out there that have to eat, but don't know how to cook?  Those people (me...) need ALL the instructions.  We need to know when to flip a pancake!  You Live, You Learn.

(PS...My pancakes were more golden brown but for some reason every picture that I upload to my blog has muted colors.  If you know why this happens, or how to fix this, please let me know. Thanks!)