Weekday mornings are usually hurried. With a smoothie on the way out the door to work, gym or to drop kiddos off at school. Maybe a quick run down of the days plans and how the day will end or a preview discussion of the dinner menu. Weekends are nice for at least one leisurely breakfast. Some opt for a breakfast or brunch out, maybe with a mimosa or not, depending on your location. For me, a treat is an unhurried breakfast. In the winter months, maybe it’s a coffee, latte’ or hot cocoa to start with. In the warmer months it maybe freshly squeezed juice. Everyone has their own idea of what breakfast sounds like when presented with the time for a lounging morning. Maybe it’s Saturday maybe it’s Sunday, depending on your worship schedule. If kids are in the photo, maybe you have friends who take your kids over night and you reciprocate. A date night either out or at home with dinner in followed by a relaxing weekend morning can be a welcomed gift, especially after a busy December. To have an opportunity to sleep in and enjoy a quiet morning is special.
Think of your favorites. I am not a pancake person, but my orange pancakes are “divine” . They are light, made with Greek yogurt and they have the right amount of orange zest. Served with warmed maple syrup and a side of cottage cheese and fresh fruit. The dry ingredients could be measured out in advance and placed in a glass storage container with a lid and in the pantry ready to go. You just add the wet ingredients and portion onto the griddle or saute’ pan. Or maybe your go to breakfast is granola (recipe is here on my website) and yogurt or eggs. Make the granola the day before and cook the eggs in the morning. Work as a team or each of you take turns making breakfast on these leisurely mornings. Below is my orange pancakes recipe. Decide where you’ll serve breakfast; in the kitchen, by the fire or breakfast in bed is always an option too…it might just be a great way to start your day every once in a while ❤️
Orange Pancakes
“I don’t always eat pancakes, but when I do,” (think the Dos Equis ad, and “The most Interesting Man in the World”) these are the pancakes I eat and here is why…they are light and I don’t feel like they, for lack of a better word, “sit” in my tummy all morning and afternoon, making me feel tired and lethargic. I have tinkered with a few different ingredients in this recipe and I think I have perfected it as best I can. Greek Yogurt gives the pancakes a nice fluffy/ light texture and feel. The orange zest gives them so much citrus flavor. When I make these for company or the Hubby, I make eggs to order. My preference of a protein to go with the pancakes is Good cottage cheese. A nice little cup of colorful berries, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, pure, slightly warmed, maple syrup all on a lovely set table will make you want to linger at the table and maybe even enjoy an extra pancake or two. If you have any cakes left over, store them in a freezer bag, getting all excess air out and defrost/reheat in the toaster for a low effort, Encore Meal (leftovers) Meal. I think you will so enjoy these and add them to your breakfast repertoire.
Ingredients
-2 eggs whisked until fluffy
-2 cups unbleached flour
-2 teaspoons baking powder
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
-1 teaspoon salt (I like sea salt)
-1 cup plain Greek yogurt (any variety)
1/4 cup milk
-1/2 stick (4 Tablespoons) unsalted butter melted
-1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Method
- Measure out dry ingredients.
- Beat your eggs, then pour beaten eggs into a large bowl. Add yogurt, milk, melted butter and vanilla.
- Add the dry ingredients and blend until just smooth. Heat a griddle,
- (I use a Griddle) or sauté’ pan over medium high heat. Add a little unsalted butter, or spray with a non-stick cooking spray, depending on your preference or pan.
- Pour about 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake onto the heated surface. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbles form and the batter is set. Flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook until the other side is also golden brown, about another 2 minutes. Cook remaining batter, applying more butter/cooking spray as needed. Keep pancakes warm until ready to serve.
