Saturday, June 9, 2012

Banana Buttermilk Pancakes

      Almost every Saturday since we've been married, minus a few random ones, and the ones that we've been traveling/moving I've made my husband pancakes. He is a pancake fiend....at least for my pancakes. :) 

For that very reason...that he loves MY pancakes....they don't get old to make. In fact I really love making them...just to see him smile and devour them! Doesn't hurt that they are healthy and delicious as well!! No added Sugar or Oil in them!!


Any of the left overs I let cool, spread out on a cooling rack, and then place in a airtight container or two to a ziplock bag, then into the refrigerator they go. During the next few days I make pancake sandwiches out of them...if they are for a breakfast to go I toss two of them into the toaster to heat up, and then spread peanut/almond butter on them and place fruit (bananas or strawberries or blueberries or a mixture of the all) in the middle and wrap it up in a paper towel to be eaten on the way to work. If they are for a snack later I do the same minus the toasting part and place them in a ziplock. Yummy!! I dare you to try them sometime soon!

Banana Buttermilk Pancakes
makes about 12 pancakes
 Separate Bowl                                                                                                
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour                                                                                       
1/2 Cup All Purpose Flour                                                 
1/2 Cup Oats                                                                        
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder                                                                        
1/2 tsp Baking Soda                                                                   
Dash Salt                                                                                      
             
Mixing Bowl
1 Egg, Beaten  
2 Ripe Bananas, smashed with fork
1 1/2 to 2 Cups Buttermilk  or (5 Tbsp Buttermilk Powder & 1 1/2 to 2 Cups Skim Milk)

Optional Additions
Chopped Walnuts, Pecans,  &/or any other fruit (I love adding in blueberries!)

  1. Sift Flours, B. Powder, B. Soda, and Salt together.
  2. Combine Egg, Bananas & milk. Stir dry ingredients into liquid until just combined. Fold in any additional ingredients.
 Pre-heat griddle or large skillet over medium heat and grease lightly. Pour even amounts of pancake batter onto griddle and allow to cook until tops of pancakes are bubbly; turn over and cook until light brown.      

We use plain or vanilla yogurt & fresh fruit on our pancakes, but I promise they are equally delicious with peanut butter, syrup or any of your favorite toppings!!           
                                                 



My husband helping with the fruit topping/decorating. :)



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Strawberry Yogurt Oat Scones

 Strawberries are in season around here right now, and I've been buying at least a few pints every week for the past month. The last pint in the fridge was ready ready for the eating so I thought I'd make some fresh strawberry scones. 





For a long time I thought that scones were "fancy food", food you only ate at teas or showers or in sophisticated coffee shops. The older and wiser I get the more I'm realizing that foods that I may have previously deemed "fancy only" are really only just foods...foods that if I want to I can make or buy and eat at any time! So..if you've ever thought that scones were a food only to eat on special occasions, think again! They are actually quick, easy and a delicious breakfast or of course great when hosting a tea party/shower. :)






Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup oats
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¼ cup brown sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
⅓ cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
1 cup plain greek yogurt
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 egg, lightly beaten for egg coating

Lemon Icing
Juice of 1 lemon
Powdered Sugar

Preheat oven to 400F.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Add the cubed butter and use a fork blend to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it is the size of small beans. Add the yogurt and strawberries and stir with a wooden spoon gently until just mixed together. Do not over mix!!

Lightly flour a surface and place the ball shaped mixture on it. Softly press it into a square about 2 inches thick. Cut into 8 triangle shaped scones. Place onto baking sheet and  brush with beaten egg coating. Bake until golden brown, about 15-17 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack if you can!! :) Drizzle the lemon glaze on top of scone & enjoy!!



Scones are really best the day that they are made but they’ll keep for a few days in an airtight container. ENJOY!!