Outstanding Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

Outstanding Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

1 c. unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 c. quick oats

1 egg, lightly beaten
1 c. milk
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. sugar or maple syrup
1 c. ripe bananas, sliced

My, oh my, folks...pancakes are royalty around here, and this recipe is the king! This is yet another find from the Moosewood Collective. We just LOVE that book, don't we? The first time we made these pancakes, we were blown away by their mild banana flavor as well as how fast they fill you up. Simple AND quick to throw together, these pancakes will quickly become a breakfast staple in your house, just as they have in ours!

Begin by mixing all of the dry ingredients in a pretty bowl. Well, we guess it doesn't HAVE to be a pretty bowl, but why not? We like pretty dishes!! Now, it should be noted that we usually use more like 1/2 cup of oats, but that is completely optional. And if you don't have quick oats, just pulse your regular oats in a food processor a few times...that will work just fine!

Next, mix your wet ingredients in a separate (but just as pretty) bowl. Don't be afraid to pour that maple syrup right in there...it's GOOOOOOD!! Actually, if you don't mind, we'd like to have a word right now about maple syrup. Please, please, PLEASE do not use Log Cabin, Mrs. Butterworth's, Hungry Jack, or any of those imposter syrups!!!! This is of utmost importance! Well, maybe not UTMOST importance, but still...it's important to us. Real maple syrup is D.I.V.I.N.E. ...don't mess with perfection! And anyway, those imposters are full of yuckiness, like high-fructose corn syrup and artificial maple flavoring and caramel coloring. YUCK! Trust us on this one, ok? Follow us blindly. Have we earned your trust yet? We certainly hope so!

Now that we've gotten that off our chests and hopefully persuaded you to try REAL MAPLE SYRUP, let's move on. Make a well in the center of your dry ingredients and pour the wet ingredients into the well. Now don't get overzealous and mix too much...just enough to moisten everything.

Make sure your griddle or skillet is sufficiently oiled and heated. Test it by flicking some drops of water on it and see if they dance in the oil. If they do, you're ready to go! Spoon out dollops of batter using a measuring cup or ladle and let them cook until they bubble. This means it's time to flip! Now, make sure it's really time by lifting up an edge and checking to make sure they are nice and brown underneath. This is important, because we only want to flip our pancakes ONE TIME. It keeps them nice and fluffy!

When they're done, remove them and quickly top them with butter and REAL MAPLE SYRUP. We like our syrup heated up...try it if that's not how you normally do it. You'll like it! It makes the butter melt and run all over those delicious pancakes...what a way to start out your day! Enjoy!!