Pancakes

We love pancakes around here. They are an easy morning breakfast and a simple snack but my number one reason for loving pancakes is that it is one of the few meals that my husband can make without any help from me. He is our go to pancake man and it sure is nice to have someone else make a meal every once in a while! While delicious with maple syrup I love to make homemade fruit syrups for our pancakes.

Pancakes
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup oats finely ground
1 tbs brown sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs slightly beaten
2 cups milk
4 tbs applesauce or oil

add in options
1 cup fresh or frozen berries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1tbs cocoa powder
buttermilk instead of milk

Mix together the flours, oats, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder if using. The dry mixture can be stored in an airtight container until ready to use.
In a separate bowl combine the eggs, milk, and applesauce. Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and stir to combine. You want the dry mixture to be moist but still slightly lumpy.
Heat a large skillet over med low heat. Lightly grease the skillet with a spray of olive oil. Pour 1 tbs to 1/4 cup batter on to the hot skillet. Optional-sprinkle the berries or chips over the top of the pancake. Cook till the sides look slightly golden and the top is bubbly about 2 min. Flip the pancake and cook for an additional 1-2 min on the other side.

To keep the pancakes warm while I cook the rest I place them in a glass dish in the oven with the temperature set as low as it can be set.

Veggie Bread

I made this last week for our trip to Alabama. We used walnuts and cocoa powder this time and called it chocolate bread! It freezes wonderful and thaws quickly.

Veggie Bread
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup applesauce, oil, or softened butter- any combination will work as well
3 cups shredded veggies such ass zucchini, squash, or carrots
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Optional Additions
1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans
1/2 to 1 cup dried fruit such as cranberries, current, or raisins
2 tbs cocoa powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Beat together the eggs, sugar, applesauce or oil until well blended add the veggies, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. In a seperate bowl mix together the flours, salt, baking soda, spices, and cocoa powder if using. Slowly add the flour mixture to the veggie mixture one cup at a time until blended. Stir in any nuts, fruits, or chips. Pour into 2 loaf pans or 4 mini loaf pans. Bake at 350º for 50-60 min.

Serving Ideas
For Breakfast or snack make the bread with nuts and chocolate chips. Cut the bread in slices and using peanut butter and sliced bananas make sandwiches.

For dessert make the bread using the cocoa powder and nuts. Cut the bread into slices top each slice with a small amount of homemade whip cream.

Top with cream cheese frosting for a yummy treat!

Egg and Cheese Pitas

I have been working on breakfast around here. We eat mostly cereal and the occasional pancakes but I want more variety. While on vacation I used what we had to make some delicious breakfasts for our family. The first combined a favorite for my kids and left overs from dinner.

Egg and Cheese Pitas
3-4 pita pockets
8 eggs
1 cup cheese
Roasted bell peppers or other cooked veggies

Toast or bake pitas just enough to warm them up. Cut a slit in the top and split the middle of the pockets set aside to fill later. Heat a large skillet over med high heat meanwhile crack eggs and whisk together until blended. Spray oil in pan to coat and add the eggs. Cook and mix till done we like our eggs well done here no slimy mushiness. Remove the eggs from heat add the veggies and cheese and mix well. Fill the pitas with the egg mixture. Add a bit of ketchup if desired.