Cookin' in the Kitch {Granola Bar Pancakes}

I'm gonna say this right up front, these pictures aren't the greatest. It was more of an afterthought to take the pics, & I just wanted to do it real quick so I could dig into these Drool Worthy Pancakes!!! 

I have a habit of throwing things together when I get the urge or inspiration. It just so happens that you are in luck, because I actually used a measuring cup this morning!!! We tend to have a lot of eggs & meat for breakfast, but we have found that although we can eat it over and over and over again...toddlers tend to get a little burned out on eggs. So I like to mix it up & at least twice a week make pancakes.

I know what you're thinking...

"Pancakes? I thought you didn't eat grain! Liar!!!" 

Hold your horses, calm down...just calm down.

You can make pancakes with Almond Flour :) Yes friends, this is the truth I speak...ALMOND Flour. Not only does such a thing exist, it is amazing for cooking & baking. I use Trader Joe's Almond Meal (which is basically almond flour, just not ground as fine). You can get Almond Flour at Whole Foods, the health food store, even some grocery stores. Or just order online, you can get ANYTHING online nowadays, even new kidneys. Hmm, probably shouldn't say stuff like that, now I'm probably flagged for oversea travel...

Back to breakfast- I have a basic recipe I tend to use for pancakes, then I just adjust what I add to it. Here's what I used this morning

Ingredients:

4 Eggs (room temperature)

1/3 c Almond Milk

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 TBS Liquid Coconut Oil

2tsp Baking Powder

2 1/2 c Almond Flour

Pinch of Salt

1tsp Cinnamon

1/4 c Coconut Flake

1/4 c mini Chocolate Chips 

(we use Enjoy Life Allergen Free Chips)

1/4 c Chopped Walnuts

1/2 c Dried Cranberries

Mix Wet ingredients in mixing bowl. Then add all of the dry ingredients. Let batter sit for at least 5 mins while you get your pan & oil ready. When Almond flour sits in the liquid it will absorb it & plump up. Heat coconut oil over medium low heat. Using a 1/4 c measuring cup, scoop batter into pan & flatten out a little. You should be able to get 2-3 in your pan or griddle. Flip when bottom gets golden brown, and again pat down in the pan a little. It will probably take you a batch to figure out the timing, but its usually about 2 mins on each side. You will need to add a little more oil with each batch because the batter tends to soak it up a bit. 

Yields about 12 pancakes

As I mentioned above, that picture isn't very pretty...but believe me when I say "These were AMAZINGLY AMAZING!!!". I served them with market fresh sausage patties & fresh fruit salad. 

And not only are they yummy, but good for you too! Dairy free, grain free & soy free. Almonds help with anemia, diabetes, respiratory disorders & more. Cranberries are full of antioxidants, coconut is high in protein, coconut oil contributes to weight loss & digestion  & cinnamon helps with circulation. What a great way to start your morning :)

Let me know if you try them, I love to hear feed back. And don't be afraid to play around with it, try mashed bananas, honey & nuts or blueberry banana, there are LOTS to mix & match :)

*the butter in the picture is Earth Balance dairy-free soy-free spread. It is better than butter in my opinion.

Cookin' in the Kitch {Nutty Nana 'Milk' Shake}

If I haven't mentioned it before, we are a Dairy-Free House.

'J' was diagnosed as a newborn with Severe Dairy Allergy. So, as a general precaution, we don't keep dairy in the house so there are no accidents.


*not to get off topic here, but I need to say an FYI:

Eggs are NOT dairy.

I assumed this to be common knowledge, but since dealing with the Dairy Allergy we have encountered person, after person, after person, that thinks Eggs are a DAIRY product. I'm sorry, but when you find a COW that lays EGGS, please, let me know. I have been told (all matter-of-factly), "Well, they are in the Cold/Dairy Section at the grocery store!". If that's the case then Jello is also Dairy. And Fresh Pasta Noodles. And Orange Juice. I have seen all of these items in the same section. 

Ok, back on track. Instead of drinking Cow Milk (which I personally have always found disgusting) we drink Almond Milk. If you've never had it, you should try it. Homemade Hot Cocoa made with Almond Milk- superb! 

We went through a pretty lengthy Fruit Smoothie phase. We made lots of different variations, but the main ingredients were fresh/frozen fruit, frozen spinach, almond milk, soy yogurt (optional). 

Now we have a new favorite:

Nutty Nana' "Milk" Shake

1c Almond Milk (I use Original)

1 Banana, broken into pieces

1 1/2 TBS Cacao (I use an Organic one from our local Health Food Store)

1/4 tsp vanilla (omit if using Vanilla Almond Milk)

2 TBS Almond Butter

2 tsp toasted Flax Seed (Get mine at Trader Joes)

healthy sprinkle of cinnamon

handful of ice

 Add all ingredients to blender

 Blend until smooth

Drink, Enjoy, Smile


If you really want to kick it up a notch, add some chocolate coconut or almond ice cream for a yummy night time treat!Oh yea, that's the stuff.

Enjoy~

A.MAZE.ING

Gotta love when the Kitchen Gods smile down upon you & all the ingredients to a truly delectable treat are nestled in your tiny pantry...just waiting for you, waiting for their chance to be turned into to something A.MAZE.ING!

Tonight after dinner, while Hubby was putting 'J' to bed, I whipped up some Double Chocolate 'Cakies' for dessert. Hands down, one of the tastiest treats I have made/had in a while. Big Ups to Pinterest for leading me to this little Gem. Although I made two changes- I used chunky Almond butter instead of smooth & I used Enjoy Life Allergen Free Chocolate Chunks, but other than that stuck to the SUPER easy recipe.

Not gonna lie, folks... I had more than One...a LOT more...

I'll look away as you wipe the drool off your keyboard...

Let's Eat!

Since we are fairly new to the Paleo Lifestyle*, I thought I would give you a peak into our new world :)

Here is this past weeks dinner Menu~

Monday:
Paleo Crockpot Meatballs over Spaghetti Squash with a side salad

Tuesday:
Crockpot Roasted Chicken & Gravy with mashed cauliflower & honey coconut carrots on the side. *Also had mashed potatoes for our dinner guest.

And broiled fresh pineapple topped with mini chocolate chips & toasted coconut, drizzled with honey with an allergen free brownie on the side :)

Wednesday:
Homemade chicken nuggets with roasted lemon Garlic Broccoli and apple sauce

Thursday:
Pork Chops topped with Spiced Apples & Pears, seamed spinach & a salad on the side

Friday:
Salmon with roasted zucchini & honey coconut carrots on the side

Saturday:

Marinated Char-grilled Steak topped with Butter Garlic Mushrooms, with mini zucchinis & Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes on the side

 

Sunday:
Easter Dinner(s) with our families :)
{We followed the 'diet' & ate only the meats & vegetables offered that were fresh/not processed.}




*We do not follow the Paleo Lifestyle 100%, yet. But we follow it about 95%. If we are in a situation where there is not appropriate food available, we will make do with what is offered. Also, we often make Allergen Free Brownies for 'J' when we go to a Birthday Party so he can join in the cake & ice cream fun, and usually end up eating them as well.