The best thing about scooping your pancake batter into a muffin tin instead of a skillet is that these little gems will be ready to go for harried mornings—and you don’t have to man the stove to flip your flapjacks. Plus, they’re completely portable. The duo of sweet potato and blueberries provides plenty of natural sweetness. Eat them on the go or reheat and serve topped with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
For gluten-free pancake muffins, use oat flour labelled gluten free or use gluten-free all-purpose flour.
Silicone muffin trays have a few things going for them. Primarily, they are virtually nonstick so there’s no need for greasing or for paper liners. The bendable nature of silicone trays makes unmoulding a cinch, and being able to turn the cups inside out allows for easy washing.
Per serving:
In steamer basket set over 1 in (2.5 cm) of water, place sweet potato cubes. Bring water to a boil and steam sweet potato until very tender. Alternatively, place sweet potato cubes in pot of boiling water and cook until tender. Drain, cool, and measure out 1 cup (250 mL). Reserve any leftover potato to pop into a salad or smoothie.
Whisk together flaxseed meal and 5 Tbsp (75 mL) water. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture forms a gel.
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). In blender container, place milk, cooled sweet potato, and flax gel and blend until smooth. In large bowl, stir together flour, almond flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Toss blueberries with 2 Tbsp (30 mL) of flour mixture. Stir sweet potato mixture into rest of flour mixture. Gently fold in blueberries and orange zest.
Scoop potato mixture into 12 greased standard-sized muffin cups and bake for 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a pancake muffin comes out nearly clean. Let cool for about 5 minutes before unmoulding.
This simple dessert celebrates the glory that is the summer strawberry. Don’t feel you have to stick to strawberries here; swapping them for ripe peaches would also make for a stunning ending to any meal. What to gild the lily with? Add a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Flower power Orange blossom water (also known as orange flower water) is produced by water distillation of the blossoms of a bitter orange tree. Just like rose water, a little goes a long way. So, take care and use just a drop or two, tasting as you go so as not to overwhelm but rather to complement the other flavours in a dish.
Ever thought about making burgers as an appetizer or as a potluck meal for friends and family? Try making your favourite burger into bite-sized portions. They might be small in size, but they won’t be small in flavour. These burgers also pair well with a Greek salad for a delicious mid-week lunch or dinner. Fresh is best Squeeze fresh lemon on patties while cooking to give them the fresh zing of citrus.
What worldwide vacation is complete without a stop in Italy? Dad won’t miss the meat in this flavourful mushroom alternative complete with Italian spices and a zesty vegetable tapenade. Portobellos have a uniquely “meaty” texture and act as a sponge to lock in loads of flavour. This meaty plant-based burger is sure to become a favourite—even with any meat-lovers in your life. Custom-made! Don’t be afraid to customize your burger buns to fit your patties. If your bun’s too big, trim off excess and save the trimmed bits of bread, but don’t discard. Instead, cut into small cubes; drizzle with some olive oil, sea salt, and seasonings of choice; bake at 350 F (180 C) for 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ll have delicious homemade croutons for use in soups and salads throughout the week.
Next stop, Asia! This shrimp burger combines classic Asian flavours with unique toppings for rich umami flavour with the saltiness of the ocean. Whether served on a bun or over rice in a more traditional Asian-style meal, try some unique miso yogurt or wasabi mayo dressing for a fabulous flavour bomb. Keep those burgers juicy Place raw patties on a plate or tray, and cover and freeze or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to keep them together and to lock in moisture.