Low Carb Maple Pancakes

Since the end of July this household has embarked on a journey into the land of LOW CARB!  This is not an easy task for someone who loves bread and ice cream.  To this day hubby and I have shared a scoop of ice cream and one small cupcake.  A glass (or two) of wine is almost non-existent!  I'm, of course, doing this to drop poundage while hoping to gain abundant energy....

We've been on an Atkins type eating plan for well over a month, more like 2 months, now!  I've hit a plateau (WALL) after a loss of 6 lbs.  After self analysis, I probably need to sleep better, reduce stress, drink more water and exercise more.  Same old song!

To reduce any cravings for bread products, and they have been few, I made these maple pancakes with berries and a few drops of sugar-free syrup.  Delicious!  Even hubby raved about them...

Low Carb Maple Pancakes

2 eggs

2 oz (1/4 cup) soft cream cheese

2 Tbsp almond flour

1 tsp stevia or xylitol

pinch of baking soda

pinch of cinnamon

1/8 tsp maple extract

pinch of salt

First, blend the eggs and cream cheese well.  Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  The batter will be VERY thin.  That's okay... they will fluff up as they cook.  Heat a skillet, put butter in and drop batter in (about the size of a baseball).  Cook for a few minutes or until the edges appear DRY.  Flip and cook a minute more until done.   Garnish with a pat of butter, a few berries and a small amount of sugar-free maple syrup.  This recipe makes about 8 pancakes.   Soooooo good!  Especially if you haven't had bread for a long period of time.

Is this recent eating plan worth it?  The verdict is still out...will keep you posted!

Banana Walnut Pancakes

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!

Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancakes for the Weekend Warriors

Yes, last weekend was a working weekend.  From sun up until almost sundown both days were spent in the yard, or more accurately, in the DIRT!  Personally, I love being in the dirt.  There will be more "garden updates", but for starters, we planted 13 lavenders, transplanted a burning bush which the not so wonderful landscapers located directly over the septic tank lids.  And with that finished, hubby began to dig and dig and dig to uncover the lid so the tank could be pumped!  Too much information, icky!

Early March I made a list of things to get accomplished not only in my yard but also, in  my parent' yard.  There will be a wedding reception held there and a few areas need sprucing up.  I started by dividing some of my plants, like daisy and cat mint bushes and moved them to their yard.  Hollyhocks, bee balm and lilies were added.   We have a long way to go but, the "list" will help to keep me focused!  I'm very big on lists!

Time to turn the page!

By the time Sunday evening rolled around we were even too tired to go out to dinner!   Into the "experimental kitchen" I went to make breakfast for dinner.  I hid the cottage cheese container from hubby because that's not one of his favorites.  He's learned to trust me over the year, I guess, since there was no outcry from the galley when cottage cheese was casually mentioned.  These were pretty tasty, but I'll still tweak them a bit to make them healthier!  That's what I do!

Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Yields about 8 large or 16 small pancakes

2 eggs

1 egg white or equivalent of egg beater product

1 cup smaller curd fat free or low fat cottage cheese

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Whisk all the above ingredients.  In another bowl add the following:

1/2 or3/4 cup (thicker batter) flour

1/2 cup oatmeal (quick)

1 tsp baking powder

dash of salt

Now add the flour/oatmeal  mix into the egg mixture, stirring well.  Heat a griddle or large pan until a drop of water "bounces" on the surface.  Spray griddle with butter or oil spray.  Spoon batter and cook on first side for about 2-3 minutes until they bubble.  Turn and cook for additional 2 minutes.  Serve with maple syrup  and bananas.  HMMM good!    I had ginger syrup lurking in my pantry which really tasted spectacular!

Apricot "Nectar of the Gods" Pancakes

To celebrate my wonderful cousin, Kimberly's birthday today, I chose to make pancakes for breakfast.  Usually breakfast is cereal, yogurt, scrambled eggs or oatmeal.  Year's ago it was a tradition to make "cakies" for Sunday breakfast, but now it's simple fare.  That's good, too, because I am not a morning person, at all!  I need to ease into the day...

Many years ago while staying at my cousin's, her family and I would  wait our turn  for the next pancake to come off the griddle.  These weren't ordinary pancakes.  They had nectar of the God's for the secret ingredient.
That is, apricot nectar.  They obviously made an impression on me after all these years. 

I made them for my husband this morning in honor of Kimberly's birthday.   I added cinnamon to the batter for a different twist.  I actually like them better plain.   Why ruin a good pancake!   Being less than ambitious in the morning, I also used a pre-made pancake mix, the kind you just add you just add water, only apricot nectar was substituted.  Simple stuff!

So, happy birthday Kim!  Here's to you, may you have many more joyous years to come!

Lavender Nut Pancakes

If you read yesterday's entry this is a continuation or Part II. Not only do I love lavender in my pancakes, I love the relaxing moments the plant brings. Lavender has it's roots in Spain, France and Italy. It is from the mint family so it resows itself readily. Just give it some dry sandy soil and it will usually grow. It has antiseptic properties and has been used in soaps and to clean floors! Sleep comes easier when you rub your temples with lavender essential oil or take a warm bath with bath salts. I use linen spray starch for my husband's shirts while ironing. (It lessens the burden of ironing!) It smells so good!

I'm just learning more about the culinary possibilities of the lavender plant. I like to use herbs de Provence ( lavender is one ingredient) in recipes. It's great in soups, as a rub for meats and now for pancakes! Even though I have many plants in my yard I chose to buy some culinary herb from the market.

I've used this pancake recipe for over 30 years. Or you can simply use any store bought pancake mix. I think they just taste better from scratch.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 flour

2 T sugar

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 egg, beaten

1 1/3 c milk

3 T canola or vegetable oil

Mix all of the above ingredients first. If you want thicker pancakes only use 1 c milk. Add 2 T lavender and 2 T chopped nuts. Pecans or walnuts are a good choice. Heat a griddle or skillet until a drop of water sizzles on the surface. Brush with oil or pan spray. Pour the batter in pan making a few at a time. Turn them when they begin to bubble and the ends are dry. Serve with butter and maple syrup. Makes about 10 4-inch pancakes.

Warning: You may want to take a nap after these you'll be so calm!