Kids in the Kitchen:Breakfast for Dinner

So this last Sunday we have a breakfast themed family dinner. I got the idea because our neighbor brought over a huge bag of oranges from their tree and I new we would never eat them all before they went bad. So I thought we should make orange juice. Also,Claire has been struggling with the family dinners because she doesn’t like any of the food. So I thought she would find pancakes refreshing.

So the menu was fresh squeezed orange juice,chicken apple sausage (Claire took her obligatory bites),eggs (for Mark and Ross),and pancakes. Everyone seemed to enjoy the dinner very much. I think it was the most successful as far as everyone eating.

Here is my favorite pancake recipe. I use half whole grain spelt flour and half white spelt flour. My favorite gluten free mix is Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pancake Mix. I follow the recipes with a few exception:I add 2 TBSP of yogurt (coconut milk yogurt for us,but any kind will work) instead of the oil and only add 1 cup of hempmilk initially. Then add more until desired consistency. I find that using the oil gets them too crispy.

Here’s my recipe for Spelt Pancakes:

Dry Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole spelt flour
• 3/4 white spelt flour (I find if I use all whole grain,they are too heavy)
• 2 tspn baking powder
• 1/2 tspn salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 TBSP applesauce (I like to use my recipe contrived from my mother-in-laws)
• 1 TBSP melted Soy Free Earth Balance (can use butter)
• 1 large egg
• 1 –1.5 cup hempmilk (or any kind of milk)
• 2 TBSP honey (optional –I would not use if the applesauce is sweetened)
• 1 tspn vanilla (optional)

Pre heat skillet on medium heat. Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Whisk all the wet ingredients together. Add the dry ingredients to the dry and combine,whisking gently. Add additional hempmilk (or milk) until desired consistency. Pour batter on the skilled with large spoon or ladle. When the entire pancake has bubbles and the outside bubbles have begun to pop,flip the pancake (my dad’s old trick). Cook on second size one or two minutes. Serve hot.

Enjoy!