When I was a kid, I loved a thin, flat pancake – preferably made with Bisquick – adorned with a generous pat of butter and drenched, and I mean soggy, with real maple syrup. It was the way pancakes should be eaten. My tastes have changed in so many ways over the years and now I love thick, fluffy unrefined pancakes without a lot of sweetness (or oil). Pancakes that can handle a big, messy schmear of crunchy peanut butter and a boat load of banana slices. These whole grain pancakes can take the pressure, yet they’re tender and light. And they’re loaded with flavor from the blueberries and ginger with a nice crunch from the sunflower seeds. Freeze the leftovers and gently reheat in the microwave or toaster oven.
Sending a huge thank you and virtual hug to my new, sweet friend, Somer, at Good Clean Food. What a beautiful person she is! In a recent post she read about a knee problem I have and she immediately offered to send me some essential oils that she thought would help. Yesterday I picked up her package at the Post Office and inside was a container with all these little bottles of oil! Kel and I opened each one and had a good sniff! Can’t wait to put them to good use. Somer also included a long letter detailing information about each oil and how I should use it – handwritten, folks. My handwriting is so bad one needs a Rosetta Stone to decipher it. Anyway, her thoughtfulness touches me so much. How lucky I am to have met wonderful people like Somer – all through blogging! Here’s a photo of what Somer sent:
Lastly, I’ll be posting the final Virtual Vegan Potluck update/reminder tomorrow and I’m going to try and get in touch with each blogger to find out if they need help or have questions. I’ll also be sharing a great idea that Jason had – so please tune in tomorrow. And kids: We go LIVE May 12!
Whole Grain Pancakes with Dried Blueberries, Ginger & Sunflower Seeds
Makes ~10
1 1/4 cups soy milk
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1 tbsp. crystallized ginger, chopped
2 tbsp. sunflower seeds
I mixed the first 7 ingredients in my Vitamix, and then poured the batter into a big bowl to add the remaining ingredients, but this can easily be done by hand. (Combine all the dry ingredients; combine all the wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine the two). After everything is mixed together, set the batter aside for about 15 minutes. Get your griddle or pan preheating as well. I also warm plates in the oven at about 200F. The cooked pancakes can also hang out in there until ready to serve.
If you find that that the batter has become too thick, add a splash of soy milk. Lightly spray the cooking surface with oil and then drop the batter by big spoonfuls onto the preheated griddle or pan. Turn the pancakes over when the edges start to firm up (my pancakes did not bubble, the usual indicator that it’s time to turn them). Since these are thick pancakes, cook them thoroughly so they don’t end up with a soggy interior.
Serve pancakes with your favorite toppings.
Your pancakes look and sound amazing, I love pancakes but I’ve never had them with sunflower seeds in before. Am I right in thinking there are now 65 bloggers in the VVP?
Meant to add that your little tub of oils is delightful, what a thoughtful and lovely gift.
I know!! It was so sweet of her. I’m already using them. What a treat.
I hope they help your knee. Is that a running injury?
No – heredity. I have a degenerating meniscus in my left knee (as does my dad). No more long distances.
Ouch, sorry to hear that, it sounds as if it could be very painful.
It’s fine most of the time. Just protests after about 5 miles ;-). Speaking of ouch – how are the wrists?
I’m terrible at counting, but I think 66! Not too shabby!
Not too shabby at all, in fact, a huge success!
What a wonderful oil set! Such a sweet present – do you think you could cook with them? It’s an odd question I know, but the citrus oil sounds like it would be wonderful in a cake!
Apparently they can be used in cooking! A little goes a long way, I guess. Lots of experimentation to do!
now that is a colorful breakfast!
Haha! Yeah, it turned out that way – tres photogenic!
Yet another delightful recipe…and now I know what I’m having for breakfast.
Can’t WAIT for VVP!!
Also, let me know how those oils work on your knee. That might be my next attempt at healing it/alleviating the pain and swelling.
I’ve already used one on allergic reaction on my lip – wow! It helped almost instantly. I’ll keep you posted on the knee…
Those look yummy! Unfortunately, I’m still an immature pancake eater… I still want to drown mine in syrup
BTW- I’m all good for the VVP!
Thanks, Barb! Appreciate you letting me know on the VVP, too!
Despite still liking a syrup soggy pancake, those looks pretty darn good too! I’ll order a stack, thanks
Hey Steve! Haha, come on over ;-)!
Thinking about how you liked super thin pancakes as a kid, have you ever eaten injera? It is a Ethiopian bread that is very thin and spongy. I bet you might like it too.
Oh, I do like that bread! It’s been ages since I’ve eaten it. I wonder if there are any Ethiopian restaurants in Oklahoma??
Yum – is that green drink your previously-blogged wheatgrass concoction?
No – it’s a green/fruit smoothie of some kind! Love the color!
Annie! I am beyond touched that you included the gift of the oils in your post. Apparently tearing up a bit comes easily to me this week
Thank you a million times back. I hope that they help your knee and that the others can heal whatever else ails you!
And those pancakes, what a lovely complex flavor combination! Funny how vegan pancakes don’t get those bubbles on top that indicate when to flip, eh? I love that you added brown rice to it. Yummo!
xoxo
The oils have already healed a lip problem, Somer! Details in an email ;-).
What!?! Can’t wait for details!
WHat a lovely gift
I love the connections the blog world allows us to make! I hope your knee starts feeling better soon!
Also glad to see you are really putting that vitamix to good use! Smoothies, pancakes batter, juice….love it!
I love crunchy bits in my pancakes too so I bet these would be right up my alley. Bookmarked
Seriously – I am Vitamix-happy! Breakfast, lunch, dinner…It’s a great tool.
Beautiful pictures!
Thanks! I lucked out on the light.
Lovely pancakes! Worked on my post last night, need to polish it up a bit
Thanks, Dena! I’ve got a little polishing to do, too!
My mouth is watering over here! Blueberry pancakes are my fave but I am the only person in my family that likes pancakes with things mixed into them (I know, whaaaat?!!), though a couple weeks ago, Sophia, my step-daughter, asked for chocolate chip pancakes, so maybe there is hope!
These look and sound amazing and I love how big and fluffy they are!
These pancakes look super crazy! I cannot believe they are so healthy but filled with so much deliciousness
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks! Now I’m thinking, hmmm, these would be good with chocolate chips!
Aren’t blogging friends THE best?! That is so awesome! These pancakes look killer Annie – what a yummy breakfast!
I hear ya on wholesome, thick not-sweet pancakes… a tasty vehicle for copious amounts of nut butter
Oh I LOVE essential oils, what a lovely pack to receive, and thanks to the link to her blog too, another fantastic discovery!
Hand written snail mail is the BEST.
These. Are. Beautiful!
Thank you!
Your pancakes then vs now sound exactly like mine. I loved them douched in syrup when I was younger and thin as a board. Now, the thicker the better..but I do still like syrup haha. These look delicious!
These sound great – and I love the idea of including cooked brown rice in a pancake. We will definitely be trying these. And so love the story of Somer sending some love and ‘medicine’ your way. She really is a lovely person.
Oh yum!!!
What a lovely looking stack of pancakes. Glad to find you here. I’m off to read more……Happy blogging, lee (www.thebeachhousekitchen.wordpress.com)
Breakfast food all day everyday! hehe
Oh yeah!
as much as I love pancakes and I do love pancakes, these look delicious! when I was younger my grandpa used to call me ms. blueberry I used to eat so many of them I never thought to add dried ones to pancakes mmm yummy and the ginger is like the proverbial icing on the cake.
Pingback: Mango Lime Pancakes with Ginger & Coconut. Sugar- & Oil-free | anunrefinedvegan