"Makin' Banana Pancakes, Pretend Like Its The Weekend Now..."

Two weeks ago I found myself at a crossing. I had been doing well on my 2011 "no more junk food" resolution (since this last holiday season, I took no prisoners when it came to cookie consumption). On the other hand, I was about to enjoy my last weekend before returning to classes again, and I will admit I was feeling some anxiety. So, being out of town for the weekend, and feeling the need to sort of throw my hands up in the air, I caved and brought with me the ingredients necessary to make pancakes. And I want to say that 1. I have no regrets, and 2. It turns out, I make awesome pancakes. Adding another skill to my rookie resume; I make awesome gluten free pancakes. And when you are in the middle of the woods in Pennsylvania, spending days and nights doing nothing but enjoying a fireplace, having some drinks, and watching Old School, I think you must say yes to Sunday Morning pancakes, no matter what your new years resolution. When those who are eating with you are gluten intolerant, you show them first hand why it is so awesome that you have the skill to make them this classic breakfast without making them ill. For the record, you do not need to be gluten intolerant to enjoy gluten free pancakes, (just like you do not need to be lactose intolerant in order to drink lactaid milk, or soy milk).
There are many people who believe adapting a gluten free lifestyle has multiple health benefits regardless of whether or not you are intolerant or allergic. I am not one of those people. I believe in the importance of whole grain consumption (and as you may or may not know, gluten is a protein derived from wheat, barley, or rye so those unable to consume it, are also unable to have that diet rich in "whole grains"). Thats not to say I havent enjoyed trying some new foods and learning to prep some though. So much of our country is developing intolerances/allergies to gluten, that food products now are required to put this information on their label as a warning if it is an ingredient. As a future dietitian, I see this as just another topic I should be well versed on (along with type 2 diabetes, and juvenille obesity). These are our leading themes which unfortunately seem to be growing at an insane pace in our population. Bottom line in my opinion, if you can't have gluten, my dear then do not eat it. If you can however (like me)eat it without having a terrible stomach ache after...please eat whole grains; they are good for your heart.

Below is the recipe I used for "brekky" this day (in Australia, breakfast is called "brekky", and all it took was me studying abroad there for 5 months to permanentely take on this term). I chose to make banana pancakes with this mix, since I think regular ol gluten free mix can at times taste like its...missing something.

1 ½ cup of Bobs Red Mill gluten free “waffle/pancake mix”
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
¾ cup milk
2 bananas
I use my electric beater to blend the above ingredients (including one of the bananas, this is my little tip on making the pancake batter taste better, and giving it a better texture)
Use a ladle to scoop the batter onto the greased griddle. Keep the stove at medium to medium high heat. When you see little bubbles start to pop on the pancake, test the outer rim with your spatula to see if it is ready to flip. If the bubbles are there and the spatula is easily sliding under the pancake, then FLIP. (While I am waiting for the bubbles to appear, I take my second banana which I have sliced into small circles and drop one or two pieces onto the pancake). Now my pancakes have banana mixed in the batter, but also some nice visible pieces cooked into the middle of them.
I made about 10 pancakes, put them on a large plate and topped with the remaining banana pieces. After the maple syrup was heated in the microwave and the coffee was brewed...breakfast was served. And I can't think of much else I'd rather be doing than enjoying pancakes and coffee in the countryside on a sunday morning, with such wonderful company.
Enjoy the recipe, and enjoy your sunday mornings. <3