“Firas’” Pancakes and Howie’s Mistro/Latte

Akhiiiirrraaaaaaaaan, here is the fulfillment of Firas’ desire for a totally zacky pancake recipe. And, commenter Howie’s at-home recipe for as-good-as-Starbucks coffee; thanks Howie! Howie, NOW I have seen one of those whisks you mentioned, and I still don’t know where to buy it in Jordan - if anyone does, let me know!

Why did it take me so long? Because I had hoped to put this recipe in Family Flavours, but I discovered this week that my friend Angela Hadadeen beat me to the punch as ‘”child-friendly baking pro” for the magazine. Malesh, FF is in good hands with Angela. The delicious and delightfully decorated cookies from the Christmas issue were her creations (can you believe it? ME, known as Cookie Queen, missed that opportunity! Compared to Ang, I am just Lady in Waiting of Cookies, she wears the crown). We were neighbors during that delirious time of each having 3 children under 5; it is TOO funny that we have both emerged from that fog as free-lancers. You can enjoy Angela’s unique and hilarious bent on life in Living Well magazine, too. Yella. Pancake time.

Firas’ Fruity, Healthy Pancakes (based on the recipe “Apple Walnut Pancakes” from the More-With-Less Cookbook)

Combine in a bowl:

1C. whole wheat flour

1C. white flour

1t. salt (you know that means real ‘t’easpoon from a measuring spoon set, not a mala’a zghreer)

2t. baking powder (not bicarbonate)

1T. brown sugar (that means a real ‘T’ablespoon from a measuring spoon set, not a mala’a kbeer. If you don’t have brown sugar, add a bit of dibbs to white. If you don’t have dibbs, xhallas, white will do)

Combine in a separate bowl:

2C. yogurt

2 eggs, well beaten

2 T. oil_

Add liquids to dry ingredients and stir just til mixed. Add:

two baladi size bananas (best if they were put in the freezer in the peel when VERY overripe, then thawed and smashed. Be warned, when thawed and unpeeled, they look like slugs. The kounouz love that part)

1/2 C. grated apple (or any of your favorite hard fruit chopped fine: apricots, blueberries, peaches, plums, pears. A great way to use up fruit that is too old to eat raw, but still flavorful)

1/2 - 1C. chopped walnuts (the Kounouz don’t do nuts, I only put it in the batter for me and dear husband)

Batter will be thick, thin a bit with milk. Pour 1/3 C on lightly greased hot griddle/frying pan. When it bubbles in the middle and looks dry around the edges, flip. Peek after thirty seconds. Ready when golden-brownish. Keep warm and covered in the oven until ready to serve. Pour maple syrup, or spread with jam and add powdered sugar. (Ladies, if you want to boost the calcium and protein content, add 1/4 C powdered milk to batter)

HOWIE’S MISTRO/LATTE (from a comment on “S’More Brownies”, gotta read it to appreciate the lengths Howie went to so I could understand what a ‘Latte-Whip’ was)

Brew drip coffee…something good…not Yuban or such trash

When coffee is ready…take mug (glass much preferred)
Put a little Sugar in the Raw in the bottom…just a taste
And about an inch of milk (low fat, regular…you decide)
You can add more or less if you like
Get a LatteWhip (MagicReamer) Looks like a little drill with a round spring on the end.
Whip the milk…MAKE SURE the whip end is just slightly into the milk or it does not foam well and thicken
Do this about 60 seconds
Put in micro on high for 20-25 seconds…just as it starts to rise…stop
And the filtered coffee
Sprinkle sugar in the raw on top, or powdered chocolate or cinnamon or nothing

Makes great sipping right through or with the foam and can be done SUPER low-cal

Glass should be at room temp when you start and milk has to be cold or it does not work well.

Let me know how it goes…it has been a huge hit here and I kind “invented” these steps to get it just right.

Howie, thanks!!

Firas, if this proves difficult, I have a simpler recipe.