Yield: 6-8 pancakes
I am so sorry that I haven’t posted in a while. The last couple of weeks have been hectic, but amazingly fulfilling, at school. As the citywide Teacher of the Year, I was invited to give the “keynote” presentation last Wednesday night at a lovely dinner given in honor of all 89 Teachers of the Year (TOY) in our district, one per school.
My speech included a beautiful video of six of my students talking about their work. Though it was a team effort, I give Steve Delaney, our inimitable Computer Resource Teacher, most of the credit, as it simply wouldn’t have come to be without his creativity, commitment and technological wizardry. Over the last two+ weeks, he and I spent countless hours brainstorming, interviewing, piecing together and perfecting the video, him more than me. Meanwhile, I was writing, rewriting, tweaking or practicing my speech in every spare moment. But neither Steve nor I, both a little (okay, a lot) Type-A, would have wanted it any other way.
As a topping, I love vegan sour cream on sweet potatoes, so I thought it would be good whisked into some maple syrup for the pancakes…and it was!
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons brown sugar (or raw sugar)
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups unsweetened soy milk (plain or vanilla soy milk would be good too)
1 lightly packed generous cup of grated or finely chopped sweet potato; about 1 small potato (I used the food processor fitted with a metal blade)
generous 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 scant tablespoons vegan butter (I like Earth Balance)
Sour Cream Maple Syrup:
4-6 tablespoon vegan sour cream
4-6 tablespoons pure maple syrup
a squirt of lemon juice or a little zest (optional)
Whisk together and set aside. (You may heat gently in microwave for a few seconds if desired.) Note: you can make as much syrup as you like; just whisk together equal parts vegan sour cream and syrup.
Garnish:
Large walnut pieces or halves
In a medium mixing bowl, place first 8 ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in soy milk. Stir together until almost combined, add sweet potato and walnuts, and continue stirring just until well combined. In a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, melt up to 1 scant tablespoon of the butter. Using a 1/3 cup measure, make two-three pancakes (or a 1/4 cup measure to make 3-4 pancakes), spreading ever so slightly if needed just to flatten tops. Cook a minute or two on the first side or until just a few bubbles appear, you get a high rise, and the edges appear set. Gently flip and cook another couple of minutes on the reverse. Avoid overcrowding. This batter is fairly thick, but if pancakes look like they are going to run together, just cook a couple at a time, and add butter to keep skillet greased as needed. If pancakes are cooking too quickly, lower heat to medium, especially for second side. When cooked through, remove pancakes to plates or a serving platter, keep warm, and repeat with remaining butter and pancake batter.
Serve with Vegan Sour Cream Maple Syrup and top each serving with walnut pieces or halves. (Homemade candied walnuts, like the ones in the photo–which are actually brown sugar and herb–are an extra-special garnish.)
October 3, 2009 at 2:01 pm
This is SUCH a beautiful and creative idea! The flavors you had used in here would taste so amazing together, but I'm not sure I would have thought to combine them. Really awesome!
October 3, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Thank you so much. I bet you would have thought to combine the flavors–you know your food!
They were addicting. In fact, I have some leftover batter, and I'm craving another one right now. I don't want to ruin my dinner, but…
October 3, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Oh yum! Those look and sound amazing! With sweet potatoes on cheap here this week, they may be making their way into my tummy pronto!
Love all your recipes by the way, such creativity and gorgeous photos!
-K
October 3, 2009 at 10:18 pm
P.S. Congrats on the teacher of the year. Good teachers make school and learning SO much better!
October 4, 2009 at 12:06 am
OMG. two of my favorite things in one. this is amazing.
October 4, 2009 at 6:38 am
Hi K~
Thank you and thank you! I've been to your terrific site–and just added you to my blogroll–so I know you have high standards. I'm flattered by your feedback about the pancakes and teaching.
The pancakes are habit-forming. If my mom–who isn't easily impressed by food–loved them, I figure I'm on to something!
Enjoy!
October 4, 2009 at 6:40 am
VV~I
n my food world, there is not much that is better than sweet potatoes with Earth Balance, soy sour cream, smoked almonds and chopped tomatoes. It's one of my favorite quick meals ever. However, I was hungry and it was in the a.m., so, while I wasn't quite ready for smoked almonds and tomatoes, I got three of my other favorites in there. I hope you love them!
October 6, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Congratulations on being recognized for your teaching–you've certainly taught me a lot about vegan cooking!
October 6, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Thank you so much and I'm really glad if I've demystified some of vegan cooking for you. There are so many people that did, and continue to do, the same for me!
October 9, 2009 at 1:19 am
Hi Lynn –
I have been following your blog and have to say you do a wonderful job! I author a blog that I created five years ago, I Resolve To . . . that focuses on how to make and keep New Year Resolutions one small step at a time, one day at a time.
I launched a profile series in 2009 about Resolutionistas (a word that I coined): "People who make resolutions, keep resolutions and enjoy the journey. " I would love to profile you on my blog and at the Gather.Com I Resolve To . . . Group. I think folks who are working to achieve goals and dreams would be inspired by your success. Consider joining the I Resolve To . . . Gather Group, it's a great bunch of folks.
Let me know if you're interested and I will forward the profile questions. A link to the blog is listed below – the profiles can be found on the left sidebar. I look forward to hearing from you!
Kim Simpson (ksimpson@fortherecordppa.com)
October 10, 2009 at 7:42 am
Hi Kim~
My name is Betsy, so I don't know if I am the intended recipient of your post. 🙂 Regardless, I sent you a reply via email.
Best,
~Betsy