Pancakes!!!

My go to homemade pancake recipes!!

1. The Dannon large yogurt containers have some pretty tasty recipes on top.... like Tarragon Chicken Salad and Creamy Salsa Dip. A couple weeks ago I noticed a recipe for Cornmeal Griddlecakes that reminded me of some DELICIOUS pancakes I had in Thailand made with cornmeal. They did not disappoint. Super Yum! I substitute Craisins for raisins.

2. I've been reading Mark Bittman's Food Matters this past month - the second half is full (over 165 pages!) of recipes. The Whole Grain Pancakes is a great 'base' recipe - it lays out lots of 'options' for add-ins. Saturday I skipped the coriander, doubled the cinnamon, added 1/2 cup cornmeal, 2T ground flaxseed, and 1/2 cup pecans! Next time I'll try it with oats and blueberries! Another bonus - it's all ingredients I normally have on hand :)

    a. Replace 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour with cornmeal, rolled oats, or oat or wheat bran.

    b. Add 2T of flaxseed.

    c. Add up to 1/2 cup and light, cooked grains like couscous, millet, or quinoa; freshly grated orange or lemon zest; chopped nuts; berries or sliced bananas; unsweetened shredded coconut or chopped dried fruit.

(You can also turn this recipe into an exotic bread replacement - Omit the sugar, increase the salt a bit, replace the cinnamon with cumin, and serve the pancakes as flatbreads with soups, stews, or salads!)

(Photo from http://www.tasteofhome.com)

3. Last but not least - old faithful. I've been making these Hearty Oatmeal Pancakes for years! The only issue is I don't normally have buttermilk on hand - so I have to plan ahead!

Simple Simple Summer Supper!

I hadn't been to the grocery store since early last week - so come Friday the pickins' were slim..... I went to one of my trusty recipe sites and entered 'shrimp' and 'zucchini'. Orzo with Grilled Shrimp, Summer Vegetables, and Pesto Vinaigrette caught my eye - but I didn't have everything I needed - so I just used it for inspiration.

1. Threw some long grain brown rice in the rice cooker with a couple (big) shakes of Garlic N Just Herb Pepper and Lemon & Herb Blend*.

2. Slice squash and zucchini in long strips, mix 2T red wine vinegar w/ 2T EVOO, brush strips, sprinkle with S & P, grill.

3. Peel/devain about 1lb shrimp, mix 2T red wine vinegar, 3 1/2T EVOO, 3T pesto, 2T lime juice to make vinaigrette, add 2T of vinaigrette to shrimp and toss to coat, skewer and grill.

4. Toss cooked rice with remaining vinaigrette - serve with shrimp and veggies!

Super simple, quick, and screams summertime!

*Just Herbs will be at Steppin' Out in less than 4 weeks!