Happy National Pancake Day!

March 5, 2019

You know what my favorite thing to do on this day was? I would go to IHop with my friends at around midnight and we'd order pancakes and breakfast. At this point in my life I cannot continue to do so. But that's okay! Pancakes are my favorite thing to make because you can go any which way with them. For me I always put loads of chocolate chips in them! My sister and I would always critique each other's pancakes on how many chocolate chips there were in the pancakes. We would put them on top and look over each other's shoulder and say, "It needs more chocolate chips." And in truth, it always did need more.

There are so many different kinds of pancakes. You can even shape them into whatever you want. I would always make mickey mouse pancakes for my little brother.

My mom's birthday passed by not too long ago and I made her banana-nut pancakes which are her favorite. And they're super easy!

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup oats

• 1/4 cup apple sauce

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Blend oats until ground up. (You can use a blender, magic bullet, or a processor.)

2. Add all of the other ingredients.

3. Mix until combined.

4. On medium heat, spray or brush a medium sized pan with oil or vegan butter. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, scoop batter and pour it into the pan. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes or until the bubbles on top start to slowly appear. Flip onto other side and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

5. Continue with all of the batter.

My mom loves this banana nut sauce on top of her pancakes and it is very delicious. Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 banana (sliced and halved)

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup vegan butter or coconut oil

• Nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. On medium heat, in a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter or oil and add the brown sugar.

2. Once combined, add the banana pieces and nuts and stir until it becomes a syrupy consistency.

My dad would always want raisins in his pancakes, which I think is disgusting, but that's only because I absolutely hate raisins. I would always fit as many as I could into the tops of his pancakes for him though, because I love him.

Basic Pancake Recipe:

• 1 egg

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (Substitute with gluten-free flour, or brown rice flour and 3 TBSP tapioca starch.)

• 3 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 3 TBSP butter (Substitute with vegan butter, or coconut oil.)

• 1 1/4 cups whole milk (Substitute with Almond milk, Coconut Milk, or Cashew Milk.)

• Raisins (For my dad)

Instructions:

1. Combine the wet ingredients in a small mixing bowl.

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

3. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients in. Stir until combined.

4. Heat a pan on medium heat and use a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop the batter into the pan. Assemble raisins on the pancakes while they cook and make sure to flip before they get too brown. Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes and enjoy.

This recipe is going to be the easy, pre-prepared package deal. In the gluten-free section at Walmart, you can find a gluten-free and dairy-free pancake mix that tastes delicious and is super easy to use, because all you have to do is add the wet ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Great Value Gluten-free Pancake Mix ($1.98@Walmart)

• Egg

• Your choice of milk

• coconut oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, or vegan butter alternative

Instructions:

1. Just follow the instructions on the package and you've got yourself some delicious tasting pancakes.

Happy Cooking!