Week 42 - Churro Pancakes

I found the inspiration for this pancake recipe on Pinterest.  I modified it slightly and served it up with hot chocolate made with chocolate from Mexico.  It was a gift from my parents when they were in Mexico.  I've had these tablets of chocolate sitting around waiting for the perfect time to do something with it, and this seemed like as good a time as any.  What makes the chocolate special is that its seasoned with spices like cinnamon.  Yum!  Jó étvágyat!

Chocolate from Mexico

Yummy chocolate tablets

Churro Pancakes

Ingredients

For Pancake:
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar

For Churro topping:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter

Directions
1.  Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2.  Mix the egg and buttermilk and add to the flour mixture.
3. Add the melted butter and sugar.
4. Heat a griddle over medium high heat, coat with butter or cooking spray.  Ladle pancake batter on to heated griddle.  Cook until bubbles form around the edges (about 2-3 minutes), flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

5. Put melted butter in a shallow bowl.  In a separate shallow bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon.  

6.  Once pancakes are cooked dip them in the butter, coating on both sides.  Then dip each buttered side into cinnamon sugar mixture.

First the butter...

Then the cinnamon sugar mixture

Great served as is...or chocolate syrup if you like

Week 41 - Bacon Cheddar Pancakes

I started out on this mission loving pancakes, and I still do, but I've been craving something non-sweet for breakfast on the weekends lately.  So I was on the hunt for another savory pancake.  Yet again, I was inspired by our local farmer's market.

At our local market there is a vendor that sells humanely-raised pigs and no antibiotics, growth hormones, preservatives, or MSG.  They piqued our interest because about 5 years ago my husband and I decided not to eat pork anymore because of all the additives commercial pig farms add to their animals and meat.  We started off buying a couple pork chops from them and cooking them on the grill.  Boy, was it good.  Since then we have been back to buy various other products from them, including bacon.  Lots of bacon.  I'm talking 3 packages of bacon in a 2 week span.  It's like the pork flood gates opened and we are up to our ears in bacon now.  Okay, not really, but we did stock up and throw a packet or two in our freezer for later.

I found this recipe on Little Kitchie.  Cooked bacon is crumbled and incorporated into a more savory batter made with cornmeal.  I served these up with a side of what else, but bacon!
Jó étvágyat!

Bacon Cheddar Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• butter, for the skillet
  

Directions

1.  In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg until thoroughly mixed.
2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the buttermilk and egg mixture and mix until just combined (the batter should still have small to medium lumps). Gently fold in the bacon and cheese.

3.  Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and brush with 1 1/2 teaspoons of butter. Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop the batter onto the skillet. Cook 2-3 minutes, until small bubbles form in the batter. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

4. Serve warm with butter and syrup.

Week 40 - Chocolate Chip Pancakes

This week I was in the mood for a more traditional pancake.  I used to love chocolate chip pancakes as a kid and it was always a special treat when I ate them.  So I decided to relive those days and make my own chocolate chip pancakes.  The best part?  I gave one to my daughter and she devoured it!  The chocolate smudges on her face was priceless! 
Jó étvágyat!

Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, separated
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups "Simply Perfect" Pancake Mix (See week 5)
• 1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips  
• butter, for greasing the pan

Directions

1. Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F.

2. Whisk the egg whites until white and frothy.  
3. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, buttermilk, melted butter, and pancake mix together.  
4. Add in the egg white and then fold in chocolate chips
5. Lightly butter the griddle.
6. Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle.  When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

7. Serve warm with syrup.

Week 39 - A Very Berry Happy 4th of July

I know, I know, I've done berries before.  But what can I say, I love berries and they're abundant in the summertime.  I enjoy trying new types of fruit and the farmers market (my new obsession) is a great place to find things you normally wouldn't at your average grocery store.  Just recently I tried wineberries, which look like small, shiny raspberries and are a bit tart but still delicious!  
So back to the recipe, I tried something different than just mixing in berries to my batter.  This time, I pureed some raspberries and used them as part of the liquids for the batter.  Turned out really good and will definitely try this again.    
Jó étvágyat!

Very Berry 4th of July Pancakes

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, separated
• 3/4 cup raspberry puree
•  1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 cups "Simply Perfect" Pancake Mix (See week 5)
• 1/2-1 cup of blueberries  
• butter, for greasing the pan

1. Heat an electric griddle or frying pan to 350 degrees F.

2. Whisk the egg whites until white and frothy.  

3. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, raspberry puree, buttermilk, melted butter, and pancake mix together.  

What a beautiful color for pancake batter!

4. Add in the egg white and then fold in blue berries.
5. Lightly butter the griddle.
6. Gently ladle the pancake batter onto the griddle.  When bubbles begin to set around the edges of the pancake and the griddle-side of the cake is golden, gently flip the pancakes. Continue to cook 2 to 3 minutes or until the pancake is set.

7. Serve with syrup.

Pink pancakes!

Week 38 - Zucchini and Feta pancakes

I've recently discovered the wonders of the farmers market.  You'd think with my love of cooking, and fresh, local-grown food I would already be on a first name basis with all the vendors.  Maybe by the end of summer. :-)  With my yummy market finds I made these savory pancakes.

Zucchini and Feta Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/3 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
3 green onions, chopped
2 eggs
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
1 Tbsp fresh dill, minced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Butter for griddle

Directions:
1.  Heat a griddle over medium high heat.  In a sieve or colander, drain zucchini, squeezing to remove excess liquid. Pat dry. In a small bowl, combine the zucchini, carrots, bread crumbs, onions, egg, parsley, dill, and cheese.

2.  Butter griddle and drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls.  Press lightly to flatten. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Week 37 - Birthday Cake Pancakes

My daughter turned 1 recently.  Amazing how quickly this past year went.  To think a year ago she was this tiny ball of cuteness who couldn't do much of anything, and now she's a walking, talking little girl with quite the personality on her.

To celebrate her birthday I made these pancakes.  I made them with cake mix, sprinkles, and frosting.  I made the pancakes big enough to layer like a cake, alternating between pancakes and frosting.  Get ready for another sugar rush!  Jó étvágyat!

 

Birthday Cake Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cake mix (I had white cake mix, but you can use yellow cake mix too)
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup sprinkles
8 oz whipping cream
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
 
Directions:

1. Heat a griddle over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix the flour, cake mix, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

2. In a separate medium bowl, lightly beat the egg whites with a whisk until frothy. Add the egg yolks, milk, butter and vanilla.  Whisk to combine. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until fully mixed. 

3. Fold in the sprinkles.  Only do this step right before you are about to make the pancakes, otherwise the sprinkles will begin to melt.

4. Ladle batter onto the griddle and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Flip when bubbles form around the edges and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to a plate and allow to cool.  

5. To make the frosting, whisk the whipping cream with powdered sugar.  You can add a little vanilla extract if you'd like.  Whisk until stiff peaks form.  

6. Once the pancakes cool, you can make the pan-cake.  Otherwise, the frosting will begin to melt.  Begin with a pancake on a plate, layer with whipped cream frosting, put another pancake on top, then more frosting.  Continue to alternate between pancake and frosting, with frosting and a few sprinkles on the last and top pancake.

yumminess

Week 36 - Tropical pancakes

My daughter's birthday party was the weekend I decided to test out this recipe.  Her birthday party was themed Hawaiian Luau, so I thought this would be fitting.

I found the recipe on allrecipes.com, which sometimes has some pretty good recipes.  But it can be hit or miss.  I think this was a hit.  It's filled with lots of yummy tropical fruit and great finished off with just some plain syrup. Jó étvágyat!

Tropical Pancakes
Ingredients:
-2 cup Simple Perfect pancake mix
-1 1/2 cups orange juice
-8 oz crushed pineapple
-1 large banana sliced
-1/4 cup chopped pecans
-1/4 cup flaked coconut

Directions:
1. Whisk together the pancake mix and orange juice; the batter will be lumpy. Stir in the pineapple, banana, pecans, and coconut. 
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle, and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry. Flip, and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.