Banapple pancakes with berries

Now that we are trying to be more 'mindful' eaters in our household, I am constantly on the look out for tasty, healthy recipes for all of our meals. I have long been a sucker for pancakes, and I love them as a start to a lazy weekend morning. And so it was, that last Saturday morning as I pondered the inevitable demise that was in store for my country with that day's federal election, I found my spirits and stomach in need of serious uplifting. Here is what I came up with. Low calorie, thick, fluffy pancakes with syrup and berries - with some extra added fruity goodness. Too good to be true? See for yourself...

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup low fat milk 
• 1tsp white vinegar added 
• 1 banana (approx 165gm) mashed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 apple (approx 165gm) peeled and grated
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbs melted butter
• 1 tsp raw sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup plain flour
• Maple syrup and fresh blueberries to serve

Process:

1. Stir together the vinegar and milk in a mug or jug and let it sit for 15 minutes - it turns it into buttermilk, but way less calories by using the low fat milk
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and sugar (probably wouldn't hurt to sift it if you can be bothered).
3. Stir through the grated apple
4. In a separate bowl mix together the mashed banana, egg, vanilla, melted butter and milk
5. Make a well in the dry ingredients, and stir in the banana mix
6. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat, and spray with olive oil
7. Pour a few rounds (I used a 1/4 cup measure) into the pan, and cook until bubbles form and pop on top (2-3 minutes), then flip over for another minute or two and remove from pan when nicely golden. Repeat with remaining mixture.
8. Stack two pancakes on each plate, pour over some maple syrup, top with fresh blueberries and serve with your favourite morning beverage.

According to the Sparks recipe calculator, 2 pancakes topped with 1 tbs maple syrup and 20gm fresh blueberries comes in at about 316 calories.

My batch made 8 pancakes, so this serves 4... unless you are having breakfast with our Ruby, who ate 3 and a half of these all to her little self!

Enjoy xx