Housewives.... thank me later.

Since the 'New Vegan-nning" I have noticed how hard it has been to do some things involving food, one big example is going out to eat. This was supremely illustrated during a recent outing to a certain international house that may or may not have served pancakes. Now, you would think this blogger would think he had made a pilgrimage to Pancake Mecca... however, there is NOTHING on the menu that is vegan (other than fruit and some oatmeal). Thus, the sadness came into play along with a culinary boner that only pancake making would satisfy. So, after a quick ingredient gathering and an account of what i had happening in the fridge... we end up at the latest installment of.....

"You put WHAT in there?!"

What is that? Well, obviously its spinach... but in a pancake? F YES!!! Upon hearing this some said it couldnt be done, or yours truly was met with a glare saying "really?". However, i was inspired by the first to eat an oyster. I mean, how tasty are oysters and how GROSS are they. I pictured all the friends of the oyster man snickering and pointing, calling him 'snot-sucker' and making him feel bad. Oyster man... this is for you!
Being a HUGE fan of braised greens i knew that you had to cook down the spinach before i could use it, so a quick steam then into the blender. Also, i like the subtle spice of nutmeg and cinnamon on my greens and those are both found in the greatest spice known to man (as seen above... i could put that stuff under my pillow. Why, i have no idea). Anyhoo, added the spice and a little maple syrup and blend we did. After mixing the spinach juice into the dry ingredients you gotta let it set. The spinach is still a little hot from the cooking so the gluten needs to relax before we go to town. Perfect opportunity to heat the pan, brew some coffee and start the first verse to American Pie.

Three pours, two flips and one prayer later and your eyes are fixated on a fluffy mountain that Sir Edmund and Tenzing would have blown a spinach-y, pancake-y load all over. (Whoa... two phallic references in one post <--- win!). Seriously though, these were fluffy beyond all reason, and tasted AMAZING with the addition of the pumpkin spice and the syrup added pre-blend. A little maple syrup on top and some banana action on the side (and a little sliced on top, eventually) made it even better. The only suggestions i make for my next batch of these beauties is to add a little more pumpkin spice (like 1tbsp rather than 2tsp) and serve with some sweetened Tofutti cream cheese (if theres time).

Ready for the kicker? Theres like a cup of spinach in there! Why is that important you ask? Well:

Spinach has
a high nutritional value and is extremely rich in antioxidants, especially when
fresh, steamed, or quickly boiled. It is a rich source of vitamin A (and lutein), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, vitamin B2, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, folic acid, copper, protein, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, selenium and
omega-3 fatty acids. Recently, opioid peptides called rubiscolins have also been found in spinach. It is a source of folic acid (Vitamin B9), and this vitamin was first purified from
spinach. To benefit from the folate in spinach, it is better to steam it than to boil it. Boiling spinach
for four minutes can halve the level of folate.

Thank you wikipedia, and i assure you... you could give these to a child who is a picky eater and they would look up at you with a look that irradiated "Thank you". Isnt that worth the extra time? I sure think so. Indeed, i know so. Not only that, but these prove that pancakes are not these sugar-laden junk foods that are currently being served at a certain international house. Indeed, this weekend opt for making some "Popeye-cakes" rather than succumbing to the upside down pineapple or the butterscotch truffle pancakes, your body will thank you for it.

Well, readers. Another day, another wonderful batch of sweet vegan p-cake love. Tune in next week for a new SAVORY p-cake and possibly more musings and product reviews in between. Until next time, this is Pan-Clay-ke reminding you to steam the spinach and lie to your kids about why theyre green.