Pumpkin Spice Buckwheat Pancakes

Contrary to its name Buckwheat is not wheat, and not related to the wheat family. Actually, it is a fruit and full of protein and all eight amino acids, vitamin B, High in Fiber, and according to the USDA keeps glucose levels in check better than any other carbohydrate! The caution if you are Celiac or Gluten intolerant is to watch out for buckwheat flours mixed with wheat flour.

Pumpkin Spice Buckwheat Pancakes
These Pancakes will blow you away! They are SOOOOOOO light, like pumpkin clouds, even though the buckwheat makes them a darker color. 


1 cup buckwheat flour
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/3 cup buttermilk* (don’t have, see recipe below for making buttermilk using milk and vinegar)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup fresh cooked or canned pumpkin (I used PCC's Organic Spiced Pumpkin)

If not spiced add: 

1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of cloves

Directions:

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, (spices, needed), and salt. 
In another bowl(or in same measuring container I already made the buttermilk in), whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla, then blend thoroughly.
Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix, stopping when everything is just combined.
Fold in pumpkin.
Spoon 1/4 batter onto buttered or coconut oiled skillet for each pancake. Pancakes are to be flipped when the undersides of the pancakes are golden and the tops are lightly speckled with bubbles that pop and stay open. 


Serve with butter and real maple syrup, plain yogurt and raspberry jam, or apple butter.  

Homemade Buttermilk

1 1/3 Cups Milk  
1 Tablespoon + 1 Tsp white vinegar or lemon juice

Place the white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the 1 1/3 cup line.Let stand for five minute.

Homemade Coffee Creamer

Though I feel very strongly about eating well, one of the main pre-made and unhealthy things I couldn't give up was coffee creamer! No more will I read this:"INGREDIENTS: WATER, SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED OIL, AND LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE)**, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, CELLULOSE GUM, COLOR ADDED, SALT, CARRAGEENAN, SUCRALOSE."

 I especially love Peppermint Mocha in the cold months and never seem to grow weary of it! Finally I decided to take the leap, and create a few forms of creamer starting with my favorite Peppermint Mocha.  

The Basic Set Up

2 cups Organic Half-n-Half
           or
1 cup  Organic Heavy Cream
1 Cup Organic Whole Milk
           or just Heavy Cream

Add flavors you prefer and warm milk on medium low until begins to steam.  With Vanilla creamers run mixture through mesh sieve and store in original Half and Half Container or Labeled Ball jar in refrigerator.

Peppermint Mocha Coffee Creamer
1/3 cup Sugar (More/less to taste. Keep in mind this will seem very sweet but will be diluted again in your coffee)
1 tsp peppermint extract
1 1/2 tbs unsweetened cocoa


REVISED*
I have enjoyed this recipe but feel like I am missing the consistent smoothness. I find with the chocolate flavors etc there is quite a settling,  I do shake it previous to adding to my coffee, but still am not completely satisfied with the composition.  ANSWER* Oganic flavored syrup, like ones used in coffee shops to flavor espresso. Its right. Mix right in with Half and Half or cream. 


8 tbs or more taste flavor
1 quart organic half and half 


Here are some organic flavored syrups! 
Liquid Planet http://www.liquidplanet.com/estore/home.php?cat=79
Monin           http://www.moninstore.com/prod_Detail.html?prodID=118&flavor=Monin-Vanilla-Organic-Syrup


Sugar Free Vanilla
(I always prefer to use Fructose(Fruit Sugar) over Sugar to not raise my blood sugar, and its not the terrible Fake Sweetener)

4-8 Packets Truvia (depending of taste)
1/2 Vanilla Bean scraped and brought to heat pan with cream(or 1 tbs real vanilla extract)

Vanilla Bean
The Vanilla Bean is so delicious it always inspires me to add real vanilla bean to other things.  I could seriously drink it straight, forget the coffee. 
1/2 Vanilla Bean scraped and boiled in milk(or 1 tbs real Vanilla Extract)
1/3 cup Sugar(More/less to taste. Keep in mind this will seem very sweet but will be diluted again in your coffee)

NOTE: Add all your scraped vanilla beans to one container of sugar. Makes wonderful fragrant vanilla sugar you can use for baking.

Hazelnut
1 tbs Hazelnut Extract
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/3 cup Sugar (More/less to taste. Keep in mind this will seem very sweet but will be diluted again in your coffee)

Dairy Free
Substitute Almond Milk or Coconut Milk

Glory Beams Shine on Homemade Creamer! 

Giant, Oven Pancake with Simple, Fresh Blueberry Sauce

My mother served me this easy recipe as a child knowing it was going to receive a welcomed squeal every time, very much like my children when it came out of the oven this morning! Truly a light, delicate pancake, yet a delicious, custard"y" texture! Some people might know this as Dutch Baby or German Pancake.  If this is not new to you try the Blueberry sauce or some other variation. 


Giant Oven Pancake with Blueberry Sauce

1/3 cup butter (6 tbs, or 3/4 stick)

4 eggs

1 Cup each milk and all-purpose flour

Powdered sugar

Lemon wedges

Place butter in a 3 to 4 quart round or oval shallow baking dish or casserole or my favorite cast iron pan and set oven to 425 degrees.

Meanwhile in a blender or food processor, ship eggs at high speed for 1 minute. With motor running; gradually pour in milk, then slowly add flour; continue to whirl for 30 seconds more.

When butter is melted, remove pan from oven and quickly poor in batter. Return pan to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, (try not to open the oven door much like you would a souffle) or until pancake is puffy and well browned. Cut in wedges and serve immediately. Serve with fresh lemon juice and sprinkled with powdered sugar. 

Simple Blueberry Sauce

2 cups blueberries, frozen or fresh

1 tbs lemon juice

¼ - ½ cup sugar

1 tsp. corn starch

Combine blueberries, lemon juice, and sugar in pan on medium high heat. Bring to low boil and  reduce to medium heat, juicing and reducing blueberries. (Needs very minimal stirring) Mix a teaspoon of corn starch in a small dish with some of the blueberry juice from pan. Mix well and then add to blueberries sauce. Will thicken just right.

Alternatives- Works well with any other fruit as well. Try fresh fruits when in season like strawberries or raspberries, the Cinnamon Apple Compote (with is more like Caramelled Apple Sauce, YUM!), or a make a warm sauce of any of your frozen berries. Of course with syrup if you please.  No butter needed.  Not Kidding.  This is so buttery and custardy, you will love it!  

Locally-Sourced, Artisan Brie baked in Toasted Almonds, French Bread and Red Bosch Pears

Sincerely, I love this food so much I named my daughter after it! It's my special occasion breakfast. Which I wish I had more of now that I think about it!  Very simple, but simply melty, creamy, warm and delicious cheese.


Artisan Brie baked in Toasted Almonds and Sliced Red Pears

2 Tablespoons Butter

7-8 ounce whole Brie or Camembert with Rind

2 Tablespoons Sliced Almonds

1-2 sliced, fresh Red Ripe Bosch Pears (or other variety)

1 Baguette sliced and toasted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread butter over the top and sides of brie. Place brie in oven proof rimmed serving plate and sprinkle almonds over the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cheese begins to melt. Cheese will be raised a bit and have some give when pressed lightly.  Meanwhile slice bread, and lay on a cookie sheet.

When you take Brie out put oven on broil and place baguette slices under broiler. Watch carefully until just browned.

Slice and serve immediately with slices of pear. Soft warm, melting cheese on baguettes and with fresh, local pears. 

Resources for Pacific Northwest and West Coast Artisan Brie And Camembert

Tillamook, Or.- Blue Heron Cheese http://www.blueheronoregon.com/

Santa Rosa, Ca.- Marin French Cheese http://www.marinfrenchcheese.com/Store/Cheese/Overview.aspx

Leavenworth, Wa.- Alpine Lakes Cheese http://www.alpinelakescheese.com/

Artisan Cheese Directory Nationally- Fork and Bottle http://www.forkandbottle.com/cheese/uscheese.htm

Alternatives- 

Serve individual slices of baguette with cranberry sauce and a melting wedge of brie for the holidays!
Or
Drizzle with honey and cook as instructed above

Perfect Oven Bacon

I had to share this because I wish everyone knew how easy and convenient it is to bake your bacon in the morning on a cookie sheet! I never have any room for bacon with all the pans on the stove, and grease is spattering everywhere! As a side note if you can keep any leftover bacon around... I haven't accomplished this yet.. the perfection of oven baked bacon is wonderful in BLT's, salads, anywhere!

Perfect Foolproof Bacon the Restaurant Way! 

Preheat a 400 oven. I suggest lining your baking sheet with tin foil for easy cleanup, some use a rack as well letting bacon drain onto pan. 7 minutes first side. Flip and 5 minutes the other side. Remove from oven and place on paper towels.  

Easy as that. It’s crispy, chewy, delicious, and much easier...

TRY-  Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa's Maple-Roasted Bacon! (Although I prefer to use Pepper bacon, the contrast is so wonderful!) 


A note on bacon...  I always buy the thick cut from the deli. Most of the time per pound it is the same price as that the tissue paper bacon from the packaged section! 

MIMOSA LOVERS (Not So) ANONYMOUS

Some people like breakfast, some can’t eat early…  I happen to LOVE breakfast. Slow and easy with friends or family, and I'm a huge fan of breakfast for dinner! But frankly, give me an excuse to mix up some mimosas and we are in business! 

Mimosas All Around

1 part local Asti Spumante 
(Or Champagne, but Asti is the same in many ways as a mixer. Champagne gets its name from the Champagne region of France, and is the only sparkling wine that can be called that)
1 part fresh squeezed orange juice(preferably, but concentrated works as well) 
Champagne flutes


Pour in Orange juice half way to flute,  Fill remainder slowly with Spumante. Do no overfill.  Enjoy to the Fullest! 


Seasonal Flare- Pink, white or orange sugar rimmed,  Fresh cranberries at the bottom of your glasses, Strawberry on the rim, raspberries,  the ideas are endless! Just bring it on!


Additions-a splash of any: Pineapple Vodka, Orange Liqueur(Grand Marnier) and raspberry ice.