Sunday, April 8, 2007

Easter Brunch: New And Improved Heart Healthy Pancakes

If it's worth doing once, then twice, isn't it worth doing a third time just to get it right?

Running with that premise, I offer the new, taste-improved, now even heart-healthier, delicious mini-pancake. The addition of cooked, cholesterol-busting steel-cut oats is what makes this a pancake worth crowing about. Health factors notwithstanding, the addition of the oats give this pancake a delicious nutty taste and a texture your tongue will enjoy. All that, and the fact that I'm so into heart-healthy foods right now, I keep tweaking an already good recipe to make it fabulous.

Have I succeeded? I think so. But don't believe me; try them for yourself. Go on, they're good for you. You'll thank me later.

Here, sip on a pomegranate-champagne cocktail while you read on.

Christine's New and Improved, Heart-Healthy Mini-Pancakes
A recipe inspired by Eating Stella Style
Ingredients:
1/2 cup egg substitute (or you could use 2 whole eggs)
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons good vanilla extract (no sugar added)
1/3 cup almond meal (finely ground almonds)
1/4 cup organic flax seed meal
2 tablespoons Splenda granular (or you could use regular table sugar)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup cooked steel cut oats, cooled to room temperature
Preparation:
Combine the eggs, water and vanilla extract.
In a large, combine the almond meal, flax seed meal, sweetener, baking powder, baking soda, salt & cinnamon and combine well with a whisk.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with the whisk until combined.
Add the cooked oats and stir to fully blend.
Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken.
Place a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat and spray with non-stick spray.
When the pan is hot, drop the batter in 1/4 cup measurements into the pan. Do not crowd.
Cook until the bottom is firm when lifted with a spatula then flip to finish the other side.
The pancake is done when it springs back when gently prodded with a finger.

Serve with a dollop of the best plain yogurt you can find, some perfectly fresh, ripe fruit, and, of course, your champagne cocktail.

It's a lovely way to celebrate Spring.







Copyright © 2005-2007, Christine Cooks. All rights reserved.

8 comments:

  1. Wonderful looking pancakes and all thoses special ingredients-the flax seed....oh wow! I could just dive right into that plate of fruit.....and I love the Kiwi....I am still amongst them and having a food fest! Cheers to you and yours!

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  2. Another mouth watering offering Christine, I don't know how you have the patience?
    Anne

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  3. Yeah, I'm with Anne -- "Mouthwatering." Very, very nice! Very delicious-looking and of course, healthy!

    Paz

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  4. Christine I think you've got it here... pancakes, yogurt, fresh fruits AND champagne cocktail... well thank you very much!!
    I have a 100% oatmeal waffle recipe that I love but I must try these pancakes. Really like the almond meal here.

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  5. I won't eat steel-cut oats as cooked cereal, but this looks like a fabulous way to get them for breakfast! I'll give 'em a try. Thanks!

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  6. That IS heart-healthy!
    They also sound much tastier than the regular run-of-the-mill Biqcuick (sorry Mimi) pancakes.
    I like something with a bit of texture.
    And what a wonderful champagne cocktail - I'll be over this weekend...

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  7. Jann, Anne, Paz, Tanna, Sher, Mimi, Cyndi and Katie,
    I'm sorry to lump you all together in one reply but I've been buried under paperwork, getting ready for April 15th :( and I have to leave at 7am tomorrow for the weekend.
    Thanks for all your comments. These really are good little pancakes.
    I will resume cooking and posting next week, when I'll have some time to breathe!

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