Yummy Recipe I wanted to Share

I've been having fun learning about nutrition and being adventurous with Isaac's diet....a much better attitude I've chosen to have than feel burdened or stressed. So, with the experiences of his new diet and having to cook everything he eats from scratch, I've discovered an interest and creative talent that I only wondered before if I had. I'm an adventurous and creative chef! A good one too! :-) Here's a recipe that I got from a book and then ran with it, I call it:

Janeen's Versatile Pancakes, Bread and Buns! (ok, more of a practical name than creative, but the pancakes themselves are creative, nutritious and delicious!) Note: All ingredients are approx. I don't actually measure.

Ingredients:

1 cup ground almonds (grind into a meal or flour using food processor or blender, but I just got mine already ground from Trader Joe's in the nut section called "Almond Meal")
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 tblsp. honey
1 mashed banana (the riper the better!)
1 tblsp. grated fresh ginger

Mash up the ripe banana (or puree in blender) add eggs and whisk. Mix together all the rest of the ingredients. Heat oil in pan or skillet and pour on the batter using the whisk to spread out for a round shape. The pancake will be darker than your standard pancake and cooks a little faster. It might need to flip before you think it's ready, just take edge and flip carefully...if some batter from top runs off, jut use the spatula to push it back to the edge of the pancake to keep it's shape. It won't look perfect, but the shape is the importance...and who cares, it's delicious!

TIP: Use a bit of oil in the pan before every pancake you cook...otherwise it's a bit dry and 'spongey'.

It may sound hard, but it's actually really easy. Like I said, I don't measure...I just toss in what looks right...I think I did measure the almond meal, but that was it. Also, what I did if you want to have it on hand for a quick batch......I took all the dry ingredients and put it into sandwich baggies for single batches and put them in the fridge...it will keep for several months and then all I have to do is grab a baggie and add all of the wet ingredients and the batter is done! I do the whole batch at one time and put what is left in a zip-lock bag, it will keep for a few days to a week....but, it's usually eaten before then. :-)

These pancakes are versatile in two ways....first, what you add to the batter is practically an endless possibility! I've done instead of the banana, grated zucchini or grated carrot...or put it all together! The ginger is optional (I just really like it). You could use applesauce instead of a banana, or whatever! Also, they are versatile because they are more than just breakfast pancakes, I've used them as bread slices for a sandwich or even hamburger buns! I made meat loaf and then used the left-overs for a sandwich using this bread, and I about passed out..it was so delicious! A little mayo, mustard and cheese! Yum! You could even make these with garlic and spices, just get crazy and creative!
I haven't tried this yet, but I bet you could even spread the batter thin on a low heat and make tortillas!

That's one thing I've definitely learned is to think outside the box and use all kinds of ingredients and do things that are unconventional to make something delicious! That's the fun of it, knowing you created a new flavor that maybe no-one else has thought of before!
If you are allergic to eggs, the standard egg replacer like gelatin or applesauce I'm sure would apply. Or if you are allergic to almonds and there's a nut that you aren't allergic to, I'm sure you could use that...it would still be yummy. Or of course your standard pancake mix. I just don't do that cause Isaac can't have grains...plus, nuts are really nutritious and hearty.
Another thing that is cool is that this is a great way to 'sneak' nutrition into your kids diet, or your husband for that matter. ;-) These things are so yummy! That's why I had to share. Have fun, and if you come up with a yummy variation...please do share!