Waffles and Pancakes

Sometimes when you are in a rush, you are unable to make a big batch of pancakes or waffles, whether you are making them from a box or from scratch.  One of my favorite things to do to save time in the coming days, is to pre-make the waffles and pancakes, then freeze them in a large freezer bag.  All it takes is a few minutes in the toaster oven, and Viola!

I don't use mixes from the box, because it is very simple to make your own from scratch, and if you are going to take the time to make and freeze a big batch, obviously you want to make them healthy and fresh.  The great thing about making your own waffles and pancakes from scratch, is that they are one of those foods that you can add many variations to!  Fresh fruit, cinnamon, honey, etc.  They don't contain all the chemicals, dyes, and sugar, so you'll feel better feeding them to your kids (since the frozen convenient ones contain ZERO nutritional value).

Here are a couple of recipes I like to use when making a batch.  They are not only healthy, but REALLY tasty:

                                                Homemade Whole Grain Waffles

Ingredients

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 3/4 cups skim milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup flax seed meal
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat in whole wheat pastry flour, flax seed meal, wheat germ, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until batter is smooth.
1. Preheat a waffle iron, and coat with cooking spray. Pour batter into waffle iron in batches, and cook until crisp and golden brown.

*Note: I never have pastry flour, so I just use regular whole wheat.  The reason they tell you to use pastry flour is because it makes the breading less "dense".  They turn out just fine with regular whole wheat flour.  If you can't use regular milk, use soy or Almond milk, they work fine too.

                                                       Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

1/2 c. flour (all-purpose)
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
2/3 c. skim milk
1/2 c. mashed, ripe banana
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg, lightly beaten

Combine first 5 ingredients. Stir well. Combine milk and next 3 ingredients. Add to dry ingredients, stirring until smooth.

*Note:  I suggest that if you have whole wheat pastry flour, you use it in the pancakes, as it will help make them less dense.