The 6am class has undertaken a little Paleo focus for the summer weeks and this morning we were talking about Paleo-weekend eating which somehow led to the subject of pancakes. You can easily find lots of recipes for gluten-free pancakes on-line, but many of them use potato starch or rice flour or other stuff that really should be used to make wall paper paste, not eaten. You can also find lots of recipes that use almond flour. The kid-assessment of almond flour pancakes is “not so good” which usually also means that most of the adults who are dreaming of light fluffy pancakes won’t be so happy either. It helps some to purchase actual almond flour (as opposed to the almond meal that is sold at Trader Joe’s).
In my house we use coconut flour. One of my favorite companies for coconut foods is Wilderness Family Naturals. Especially for coconut oil I do not like the cheaper brands available at most stores here in town. It tastes off. If you click on the link you can read about coconut flour and find some recipes for coconut flour.
Here is my coconut pancake recipe. It also works for waffles. If I am not in a hurry, I will take the time to separate the eggs and whip the whites (fold them in gently) because it makes everything lighter and fluffier.
COCONUT FLOUR PANCAKES
4 eggs
1t vanilla
dash of cinnamon and nutmeg
3T. coconut flour
3T melted butter (you can use coconut oil, but the pancakes will taste a little more coconutty)
1/4t sea salt
2T coconut milk or heavy cream
Beat well all the wet ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients separately. Sprinkle the dry ingredients into the wet, slowly, mixing well as you go. Give everything a couple minutes to sit because the coconut flour absorbs tons of moisture. If the batter is too thin, add pinches of coconut flour at a time to thicken it. If it is too thick I use cream or coconut milk or water to thin it. It should be pretty thin. Cook them in butter or coconut oil. You can add chopped nuts or berries too.
Andres has a couple folks in his 5:30 class eating strict Paleo who were asking about breakfast ideas. I make extra of the pancakes or waffles and they are good toasted in the morning BUT you probably need to add some extra protein like sausage for a real breakfast.
There are really good “flourless” paleo pancakes. 1 banana, 1 egg, 1 tbs of almond butter. they are great and easy to make. They have become a sat. staple for me. If you want to make more than 1 serving just double the recipe.
I make the same “pancakes” as Sherris, but instead using sweet potatoes. replace the banana with cooked sweet potato… DELICIOUS!! I’ve also done the same with a mixture of sweet potato and black plantains. of course this would be eaten with some type of protein.
Jen: Where is the best place to pick up the coconut flour you mentioned?
On the topic of not so common foods, would you know where I could pick up some grass-finished beef, Jen?
Coconut flour is available at the 4th Ave co-op, probably the New Life stores and at Whole Foods although they don’t have the brand I like. You have to order it.
Antonio-the best beef is available at the Farmer’s markets. Go to the Sunday morning St. Philip’s plaza market on River and Campbell. THere are several farmers there with delicious grass-finished meat!! The 4th Ave co-op also has some frozen I believe.
Hey Midori–Are you interested in splitting a bag with us? I’ll meet up with you at the gym.
Thanks, Jen! I made these this morning- we all loved them. The kids also frequently ask for the other “paleo pancakes”- 1/4c. almond flour, 1/4c. coconut milk, and 1 egg. That one is a great, easy weekday breakfast.