Whole Wheat and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

I have been using the Nike phrase plus an added word lately...'Just Do It Now!'.   I am in the process of reading a book and applying to my life, called 'Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui'.  It is so inspiring that sometimes I can't read it before going to bed because it gets my heart racing with motivation.  I have an overwhelming feeling of going through my belongings and getting rid of things that aren't serving a purpose for me anymore.  And it makes me feel at ease knowing someone else will be getting much more use out of it after I drop off bag after bag to the thrift store.  There is no time like the present to start those rainy day projects...especially in Seattle!

So the other morning I had big plans for tackling my storage unit and needed something filling and fun, yet healthy.  I thought of my mom's favorite: chocolate chip pancakes.  I came upon a recipe from Gourmet using whole wheat flour and oats.  And it was interesting because they suggest soaking the oats first in buttermilk.  I didn't have buttermilk, so just used water, which did the trick.  This step really helps dissolve the oats a little bit.

This is the work station on the counter.  Definitely need coffee to help with the process.

Just a small sprinkling of chocolate chips is all I needed for each pancake.  I am not a huge sweets person, but this was a real treat.  I was inspired also by D's chocolate chip challah bread from a few weeks ago at a work party.  If you are a protein person, add a side of scrambled eggs, and you have yourself a full breakfast.

So take on that nagging pile of pictures or magazines tonight, and reward yourself with a little TLC from chocolate chip pancakes...and maybe a cup of coffee.



Whole Wheat and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Adapted from Gourmet magazine

Makes about 5 medium sized pancakes

 

1/3 cup oats, dry

1/3 cup water

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 egg

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1/3-1/2 cup milk (I used rice milk, but any kind works)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate chips

In a medium sized bowl, soak the oats in the water for 10 minutes.    Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, mix all the dry ingredients (whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda).  Stir in the egg, butter, milk, vanilla extract, and oat mixture.  Stir until everything is just combined.

Heat a medium pan or skillet on medium heat.  Add oil or butter to the pan.  Pour about 1/8-1/4 cup batter into pan.  Add a sprinkling of chocolate chips.  Let it cook until bubbles appear on the top surface of the pancake.  Flip and cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.  Done!  Put a little more oil or butter in pan between batches.

The chocolate chips make them pretty sweet, but if you need a little more sweetness, add honey or jam.  Toss in a cup of coffee, and you've got yourself a lovely morning.