Healthy Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkins generally seem to be relegated to Thanksgiving pies. But pumpkins are nutrient-rich and add lovely flavor and texture to food. I’ve learned to keep a can or two of organic pumpkin puree (making sure to check label lists pumpkin as the only ingredient) in my pantry.

Pumpkin gives a nutritious start to the day in breakfast. I use pumpkin puree (homemade or canned) in oatmeal, breakfast breads (muffins and loafs) and pancakes/waffles.

Add some defrosted berries on top for extra yumminess and nutrition.

Or mash fresh fruit (berries, mango, peach) into a  couple of tablespoons of cream cheese, sweeten with some honey and make waffle “sammies” (one of my favorite concepts from Weelicious), a waffle sandwich cut into four for little hands to hold. Makes a wonderful breakfast-on-the-go (using frozen waffles popped quickly into the toaster), a fun school lunch or afternoon snack.

 

Pumpkin Waffles
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Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Pumpkin Waffles
Print Recipe
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Servings
12 4-inch waffles
Ingredients
Adjust servings: 4-inch waffles
Units:
Instructions
  1. Preheat waffle iron.
  2. Sift first 7 ingredients into a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl whisk the remaining ingredients.
  4. Whisk the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture and whisk until smooth.
  5. Pour about 1/2 cup of the pumpkin batter into a waffle iron that’s been buttered or greased and cook according to manufacturer’s directions.
Recipe Notes

Serve with maple syrup or make into sandwiches using cream cheese and whatever other fillings you desire.

Allow to cool, place in a ziploc bag, label and freeze. When ready, place in toaster oven or oven at 300 and heat for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Source:

Weelicious: Pumpkin Waffles

 

 

 

 

Source:

Weelicious: Pumpkin Weelicious: Pumpkin Waffles

http://weelicious.com/2010/01/14/pumpkin-waffles/

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Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes

Pancakes made with white flour have a high glycemic index value. This means the starch is converted into sugar and released into the bloodstream quickly. It will spike your blood sugar, setting off a roller coaster as your body releases insulin as to restore balance.

Make your pancakes more nutrient-dense using whole-wheat flour, oats and apple, and always add a bit of fat from nature (chia, ground flaxseed, Greek yogurt, coconut oil or a bit of grass-fed butter)

Oats provide fiber and digest more slowly. This stabilize blood sugar levels and keeps you going longer, feeling more satisfied and energized.

Make extra to freeze for busy mornings, making a pancake “sandwich’

  • Mix 2 tablespoons cream cheese with a bit of  honey and fresh or dried berries
  • Spread nut butter and banana or other fruit
apples with cinnamon
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes
Print Recipe
Servings
12 4-inch pancakes
Servings
12 4-inch pancakes
apples with cinnamon
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes
Print Recipe
Servings
12 4-inch pancakes
Servings
12 4-inch pancakes
Ingredients
Toppings
Adjust servings: 4-inch pancakes
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a bowl whisk together 1 cup buttermilk and oats and let the mixture stand for 15 to 20 minutes. (You can mix the night before).
  2. In a large bowl whisk together egg, brown sugar, and apple.
  3. Stir in flour, the baking soda, salt, cinnamon, 2 tablespoons oil, and oat mixture, until well mixed.
  4. Heat a griddle over moderate heat, brush it with butter or coconut oil. Drop the batter (approximately 1/4 cup) on the griddle
  5. Cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes until it starts to bubble. Flip and cook or golden and cooked through.
  6. Serve with topping of choice
Recipe Notes

NOTE:

  • Add 1/4 - 1/3 cup chopped nuts and/or 2 tablespoons of raisins for increased fiber and nutrient density
  • Exchange cinnamon for cardamom or a pinch of allspice or nutmeg

Adapted from Epicurious: Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes.

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Ambrosial Torte from Historic Cacao

Cacao was domesticated in Central America about 3,000 years ago. Linguistic findings suggest the word “cacao” is comes from the word kakawa in Mixe-Zoquean, believed to have been the language of the Olmecs, the oldest civilization of the Americas (1500–400 B.C.). The chocolate legacy passed from the Olmecs to the Maya, one of Mesoamerica’s most advanced civilizations. Drinking vessels elaborately decorated with chocolate illustrations discovered by archaeologists contain traces of ceremonial chocolate drinks dating from 250 to 900 A.D.

Cacao beans were so valued in ancient Mexico that the Maya and later Toltec and Aztec civilizations used them as currency to purchase small household items and pay for various services: a large tomato was worth one cacao bean, a rabbit 10 beans, and a slave 100 beans. Taxes levied against conquered tribes were also paid in cacao beans.

Typically Mexican chocolate is made with roasted and ground cacao nibs, sugar and cinnamon; other spices like nutmeg and allspice can also be added.

Chocolate and cinnamon
Mexican Chocolate Torte
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Chocolate and cinnamon
Mexican Chocolate Torte
Print Recipe
Ingredients
The Torte
The Glaze
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
The Torte
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Butter an 8-1/2-inch springform pan and line it with a round of wax paper. Butter the paper and dust the pan with flour, knocking out the excess.
  2. In a small skillet on the stove top, toast the almonds about 5 minutes and let them cool.
  3. In a food processor blend together cooled almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the almonds are ground fine.
  4. Add the chocolate, and blend the mixture until the chocolate is ground fine.
  5. Add the egg yolks and vanilla; blend the mixture until it is combined well (it will be very thick), and transfer it to a bowl.
  6. In another bowl beat the egg whites with an electric mixer with a pinch of salt until they hold soft peaks, beat in the granulated sugar gradually, until the meringue holds stiff peaks.
  7. Whisk about one third of the meringue into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Fold in the remaining meringue gently but thoroughly.
  8. Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing the top, and bake in the middle of the oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
  9. Let the torte cool in the pan. Run a thin knife around the edge, and remove the side of the pan. Invert the torte onto a rack, discarding the wax paper.
The Glaze
  1. In a metal bowl set over barely simmering water in a saucepan, combine the chocolate, the butter, and the cream.
  2. Stir the mixture until it is smooth, and let the glaze cool until it is just lukewarm.
  3. Set the torte on the rack over wax paper and pour the glaze over it, smoothing the glaze with a spatula and letting the excess drip down the side.
Recipe Notes

Source: Epicurious: Mexican Chocolate Torte

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