Pancakes for dinner? Why not? Growing up this seemed like such a treat to have on a Sunday evening, before we curled up in front of the TV to watch Ed Sullivan and Bonanza. In all actuality, it was a go-to meal when 1) you ran out of money before month 2) laziness crept in and you didn't want to make the trek to the grocery store or, 3) you wanted a bit of nostalgia. The answer was 2 and 3! But, while these are not the epitome of a healthy dinner at least there were a few redeeming ingredients....bananas and walnuts!
These were "melt in your mouth" banana walnut pancakes!
6 Tbsp melted butter
1 1/2 cups flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 very ripe banana, mashed
1 ripe banana for garnish
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
more walnuts for topping, optional
Melt butter in microwave. In larger bowl mash banana. Add milk, beaten eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and walnuts. Blend until well mixed. Batter will be lumpy.
Heat griddle or pan until a water droplet bounces on a lightly greased surface. Spoon batter onto griddle and cook until edges are dry and middle "bubbles". Flip and cook for just a few more minutes. Butter or no butter, syrup and cut up banana on top! Don't forget the walnuts!
Breakfast "on the run" used to be a given for me years ago. Yes, I punched a time clock for most of the jobs I had..sad, but true! Thinking back, the only job I had where I didn't, was at a government agency. Here, at 3 minutes before "closing time" we all gathered around the back door to the parking lot, like we were caged animals and couldn't leave one second before the clock hit 5:00 pm. Now, employees have freedoms I could only dream about...childcare in house, gyms, restaurants, flexible hours, and the list goes on! Don't get me started!
Anyway, most mornings I would make a mad dash to the car, sometimes with a piece of toast or a hastily prepared chalky tasting protein shake in hand. These oatmeal bars would have been a welcome change to my routine. They are ridiculously easy to make, too!
Makes 16-20 bars
Sugarless Oatmeal Bars
3 very ripe mashed bananas
1/3 cup apple sauce, unsweetened
2 cups regular oats
1/4 cup almond milk, unsweetened
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ALL the ingredients in a bowl and pour into a 8x8 glass pan which has been greased or sprayed with pan spray. Spread evenly. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool thoroughly and cut into squares. Delicious and nice to know you're eating something relatively healthy.
Next time, I may add pecans and/or mini chocolate chips. Less healthy, more decadent!
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| Pudding Girl |
Looks like I was exposed to chocolate pudding at a very young age. But, I'm still that girl in many ways! Don't bother me when I'm smearing pudding on my face! Yes, that's one of those pictures that can be used to blackmail you at a much later time in life or propel you into the famous Gerber baby archives. The fact remains, though, this girl loves her chocolate pudding!
This concoction was no different. I even impressed the hubby with it. It has healthy ingredients hidden inside ...avocado, banana and chocolate! Try it, you'll like it....
Adapted from edibleperspective.com
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
2 ripe medium bananas (The riper the banana, the sweeter this becomes.)
6-8 Tbsp of unsweetened cocoa (I used half sweetened and half unsweetened.)
1 tsp vanilla flavoring
1 tsp cinnamon
In a food processor blend and pulse the avocados and bananas. Then add the cocoa powder, vanilla and cinnamon and pulse until well blended. The original recipe called for 1-2 scoops of protein powder, but I didn't add that this time.
Put into a covered bowl in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Serve with fresh berries and a bit of nuts sprinkled on top. You'll wonder why you've never tried this before!
