Banana Pancakes and an Anniversary

Los Altos B&B

Hi folks! We just got back from a quick trip to celebrate our one year anniversary to Grand Junction. It was so beautiful and the B&B we stayed at - Los Altos - was so lovely. It was settled on a cliff looking into the Grand Junction Valley and the farm land in Palisade at the base of Colorado National Monument. We took so many pictures it should be a crime! The B&B owners, Lee and Young-Ja made us spectacular breakfasts every morning, and the recipe below may be updated to include some of Young-Ja's recipe for Buttermilk Multi-grain pancakes. SO GOOD! Pictures to come.

This recipe is for all of you, our wonderful family who have been so awesome and who made our wedding so special one year ago! We've been having a blast since then (even with three moves) and we can't wait for more. These pancakes are seriously tasty, help you get a serving of fruit, use up any brown bananas you have in the freezer (the browner the better), and you can make it in the BLENDER. Why aren't you making them already? :)

From: Nigella Lawson's 'Feast' (Our adaptations marked with a * as usual)
Music: Akron/Family

Banana Buttermilk Pancakes
(Serves 2, multiply as needed)
1 very ripe bananas
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*Pinch of salt (Mik says this is very important)
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (No buttermilk in the house? See below pancake recipe for easy substitution)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 oz butter, melted

Put all the ingredients except the melted butter into the blender and blend until smooth. If you want to make ahead, simply place in the fridge until you're ready. Stir in the melted butter just before you start to cook the pancakes.
We find it's easy to cook these in a non-stick pan with some melted butter on medium heat. Flip over once the underside is set (30 secs or so) until golden brown.

The last time we ate these, Mik served them with some raspberry preserves and a dollop of low-fat vanilla yogurt which was awesome. They are equally good with maple syrup!

Buttermilk Alternative
Place a Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line. Let stand for five minute. Then, use as much as you need.