Oh so good (for you) butternut pancakes

So I've been making pancakes several mornings a week for at least 2 years now. They are so easy for little ones to eat and I feel like I'm giving them something substantial to start their mornings off right. Also ... the leftovers are great snacks for later in the day!

I started out using my mom's delicious recipe, but have tweaked it here and there over the years and this is what I've come up with that we all like! :)

Mix together these dry ingredients and make a well in the center.
1 1/4 c. flour (white whole wheat from King Arthur is my favorite!)
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (I grind it myself using our coffee grinder. Works great and I know it's fresh!)

Mix together these wet ingredients then pour into the well of your dry ingredients.
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. apple sauce
1/4 cup pureed butternut squash
1 1/4 c milk

Mix batter until all is combined.
I use 1/4 cup measure to pour batter onto pre-heated pan/griddle. And I use a non-stick skillet and if it's preheated then I don't have to use any butter or oil to keep them from sticking!
We also like to add mini-chocolate chips, blueberries, diced apples, or bananas (for you Ry!) etc. in the pancakes. I just put them on the pancakes individually after they're on the pan and cooking. Yum!
Makes 8-10 pancakes

**Added BONUS ** I really enjoy this blog Simple Bites and here are some yummy homemade syrup recipes to try on your pancakes! We've only made the Buttery Maple one so far and LOVED it!

Unfried Chinese Rice

This has recently become a favorite in our home as it's SO easy, healthy and goes well as a side with many Asian flavored main dishes! We have it almost once a week. I found it on Recipezaar.com. Sorry there's no picture for this one!

UNFRIED CHINESE RICE

2 1/2 c uncooked jasmine rice (or you could use brown for an even healthier version)
1/2 c finely diced ham or bacon (I usually leave this out, especially if it's a side dish)
1 1/2c FROZEN peas (yes, leave them frozen ... no need to thaw)
2 eggs, scrambled and chopped
3-4 diced spring/green onions
1/2 - 1 c grated carrots (I added these for color and it's healthier!)
1/4 - 1/3c soy sauce
1/8 tsp ground ginger (I usually grate up fresh ginger)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground pepper

1. Cook rice following directions on package or in your rice cooker.
2. While rice is cooking, place all other ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
3. When rice is finished, put hot rice directly on top of other ingredients in the bowl and let sit for 3-5 minutes. Stir well and serve immediately.

** This recipe is a great leftover (and I don't like leftovers!) ... still tastes so fresh the next day!

Italian Pork Sandwiches

I'm always looking for ways to use up the tomatoes and peppers from our garden.  And this one is just about my favorite. And it's low-fat too. Of course, it's one that my mom passed along to me.

1 lb pork tenderloin, sliced on diagonal, into 1/2" slices

1 large onion, thinly sliced

4 medium plum tomatoes, diced

1 green pepper, thinly sliced

1 yellow or red pepper, thinly sliced 

Seasoning:  3/4 tsp each of oregano, rosemary, salt

     1/4 tsp each of black pepper and crushed red pepper

Mix together the seasoning.  Sprinkle slices of pork with 2 tsp of the seasoning and press into meat.

Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in a skillet over medium and cook the pork slices 2-3 minutes per side until slightly brown and barely pink in center.  Place on a plate and set aside.

Add the onions and peppers and the rest of the seasoning to the skillet and cook for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and let cook for 3 more minutes, or until the tomatoes have broken down.  

Add pork and juices back to the skillet and let cook over low until ready to use.

Toast some crusty Italian bread (it's really good if you rub it with garlic...) and top with the meat and veggies.

*I often just use 1 red pepper instead of two peppers.  And I will add extra tomatoes if I want more moisture.  

*The crushed red pepper in the seasoning is kinda spicy, so leave it out or reduce it if you don't like so much heat.