April 8, 2014

When Breakfast Cereal Becomes Boring

Last November I came across this recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, thought it would provide a pleasant alternative to our breakfast cereal routine, and rapidly came to appreciate the convenience it gives to my mornings on those days when we just want something other than cereal.

Further, it is easy to alter the ingredients to provide greater nutrition with increased fiber and protein compared to typical store-bought pancake mixes.

Give it a try!  I think you may agree.



Pancake Mix, makes 2 lb of mix
from More With Less Cookbook, (c) 1976

Combine in a large bowl:
6 c. flour
1 Tbsp. salt
6 Tbsp. baking powder (equal to 1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp.)
6 T. sugar
2 c. powdered milk

Mix well and store in airtight container on cupboard shelf.

To use:
Combine in a bowl:
1 egg (beat w/ a fork)
1 c. water
2 Tbsp. melted fat or oil
1 1/2 c. pancake mix

Fry on a hot ungreased griddle.  (I preheat my skillet while mixing up the morning's pancake batter.)  Serves 3-4.

Notes:
• I make half a recipe when I use the mix, and this serves myself and my two year old son well with one or two small pancakes leftover.  Of course, since you can't use only half an egg, I use a whole egg and simply reduce the amount of water I add by a small amount.
• Throw into the batter a handful or two of dried cherries and/or cranberries to add some sweetness.  Your kids might still ask for syrup, but you won't need any with these in the mix.
• Add about 1/2 c. cooked pumpkin puree + 1-2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice to make "pumpkin pie pancakes" (as my son calls them); taste good, but tricky to cook as they tend to brown before the centers are completely done to my liking; probably would help if I increased the water a bit to thin the batter - the pumpkin makes it thicker
• Replace one third white flour (2 c.) with buckwheat flour, whole wheat flour, oatmeal, or rye flour and cornmeal.
• Replace one sixth of the flour (1 c.) with soy flour (increases protein content)
• Add 1 c. wheat germ to the recipe

Here is the flour variation that I've used thus far:
2 c. white flour
2 c. wheat flour
1 c. soy flour
1 c. multigrain cereal

(plus the salt, baking powder, sugar, and powdered milk - as indicated in the recipe)

Kids Stuff Sale

Kids Stuff Sale at Church of the Crossing
(Hosted by MOPS at Church of the Crossing)
April 26, 8 am-noon
See flyer for more information
Kids Stuff Sale Flyer