Pumpkin Apple Pancakes

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Did you feel it? Summer has slipped away and Fall is creeping in to take its place. If you're looking to enjoy the last day of summer, look elsewhere!! I'm in a autumnal state of mind. I love the change of seasons not just because of the change in weather but also because it signals a change of flavors in cooking as well. Each season brings with it new flavors and it's own seasonal produce to enjoy and savor. When I think of Fall, visions of pumpkin, apple and spice dance in my head. I've been anticipating all sorts of wonderful things; pumpkin or apple or pecan pies, or maybe roasting marshmallows over a fire while wearing a sweater.

Oh wait... I live in the deep South. Although the temps have dropped from the scorching mid 90's to the balmy low 80's, we're nowhere near sweater and fire weather. Oh well I guess it's time to crank down the air conditioning, turn on the coffee pot, grab a sweater and pretend!  I couldn't wait any longer so I made these pumpkin apple pancakes as sort of a celebration of all the things I love about Fall.

Pumpkin Apple Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tbl milled flax seed

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp canola oil

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/3 cup peeled, diced apple

Preparation:

Whisk flour, sugar, flax, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Combine egg, oil, milk, apple and pumpkin in a small bowl. Stir pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients. Let  stand for five minutes. While you let the batter stand make the caramelized apples.
Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter on to a hot griddle or nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Turn pancakes when bubbles appear and edges are cooked, after about 2 minutes. Cook for about 1 1/2 minutes on second side.  Top with caramelized apples and warm maple syrup.

Caramelized Apples 

1 apple, sliced thin
2 Tbl. butter
2 Tbl. brown sugar
Melt butter in a skillet. Add brown sugar and apple slices. Cook stirring occasionally until apples are soft and slightly golden, about 8 minutes.
  
(Print Recipe)
 

Banana Pancakes

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"Make you banana pancakes, pretend like it the week-end now..." Pancakes and week-end just seem to go together. They always make me think of lazy Saturday or Sunday mid-morning's with nothing to do but drink coffee and read the paper in your pj's. Since hubs has been deployed I haven't made pancakes at all. Maybe because making pancakes for yourself feels lonely or maybe it just because you can't make just one or two pancakes! I like my pancakes with fruit and/or nuts added in them. Banana pancakes with toasted walnuts are probably my favorite. Just drizzle them with some warm maple syrup and a bit of butter *drool*. Leftovers do freeze quite well by the way. Can't wait till hubs and I can enjoy a lazy week-end eating pancakes together...sigh.

Anyway when I saw the "Eat to the Beat" event hosted by Elly says Opa, I immediately though of the song Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson. Check it out here. And while your listening, make some banana pancakes because... "This song is meant to keep you, from doing what your supposed to."
Banana Walnut Pancakes
Adapted from Joy of Cooking

Whisk together in a large bowl:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix in another bowl:
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Mix the liquid ingredients quickly into the dry ingredients. Do not over mix.
Fold in:
3/4 cup of finely diced banana
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
Allow mixture to rest, covered and refrigerated at least 20 minutes. Can be made the night before.
Spray griddle or large skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over
medium heat until hot. For each pancake, pour scant 1/4 cup batter onto hot
griddle. Cook 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until puffed on edges and bubbles begin
to break on surface. Turn; cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes.