Snow Day!!!

Howdy folks. Today was indeed a snow day...technically ice day...but nonetheless, I was working from home today. It really is amazing how much work you can get done without all the interruptions of a day in the office!

Now that I got that out of the way...let's get to the good stuff. Today I worked on my breakfast recipes. I decided last night that if I didn't go into work that I would take the time to make some pancakes for breakfast. So, I pondered the ingredients as I drifted away to sleep with the hopes of it coming out beautifully the first time. I guess I jinxed myself. My first go was OK...definitely not the right balance of the small stuff. So, I ate part of it simply for the fact that I was hungry and didn't want to throw it all away. After working for the "day"...as "day" as you can get when working from home...I decided to try another batch. I looked at my list and adjusted what I thought needed to change...scooped out the batter...let the iron skillet do its magic...and BAM:

I wanted to try one more variation, but just didn't have the time. I am very happy with the outcome...earthy, slightly chewy and very filling. This recipe made about 3 large pancakes. Here's the stuff...

1C almond milk
1t white vinegar
1/3C unbleached white flour
1/3C whole wheat flour
1/3C quick oats
1t baking powder
1/4t salt
1t vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

Combine the milk with vinegar, stir and allow to sit while you combine the dry goods.

Add the flours, oats, baking powder and salt. Mix dry goods together. Add vanilla bean paste to milk and stir. Add the wet to the dry and mix just until incorporated.

Drop approximately 1/3C into saucepan (I used my iron skillet) and cook as normal.
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Next in line this evening was granola! I do love me some granola and this mixture of molasses and spices make it a perfect snack or breakfast for those cold winter days! Delish!

2C oats
1/2C chopped walnuts
1/2C sliced almonds
1/2C raisins
1/2C craisins
1T molasses
2T water
1/2C brown sugar
1t vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
1t cinnamon
1/8t ground cloves
1/8t nutmeg
1/2t Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Add all dry ingredients together. In a small saucepan, heat molasses, water, brown sugar and vanilla bean paste until the sugars have dissolved. Pour sugar mixture over dry ingredients and stir until it is completely incorporated.

Pour mixture into greased cookie sheet (or similar...I prefer something with edges so it doesn't spill all over.) Bake for 1 hour, checking and stirring every 15 minutes. Let cool and dig in!
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I need to cover something really quick. You'll notice that I have been using vanilla bean paste in my recipes. My wonderful friend, Naomi, gave me this bottle for Christmas. It is SO good.

I had the leftover risotto from last night for dinner....even better the day after! (side note...the risotto didn't taste nearly as salty as I thought it did last night. Hmmm...)

That's all folks. Until next time...