Mama's Really Cookin' Now

Okay, not really. But I am enjoying making breakfasts for the Roo each weekend. Last Saturday I made Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Weelicious again) in order to use up the long-neglected tub of cottage cheese languishing in our fridge. The recipe is easy, healthy and packed with protein, which is great for Carter, since he'll rarely eat chicken and lately has been rejecting his once-beloved tofu, too. You'd think they would have a bizarre texture because of the cottage cheese, but you'd be wrong - the cheese melts and leave behind nothing but mild, light pancake-y goodness. I topped it with a little honey and pureed fruit, and the Roo actually ate one entire pancake (that's a LOT for him, folks). I didn't take photos (d'oh!) but here they are in all their glory (thanks, Weelicious):


I was tinkering around with my FANTASTIC All Recipes app on my iPhone (iPhoners out there - you must get this. I could easily give up cookbooks altogether now) and did a search for Banana Bread to lay two rapidly decaying 'naners to rest. A bajillion recipes came up, along with accompanying reviews (and I read ALL the reviews, as they never fail to give helpful tips, substitutions, etc.). I chose the Banana Oat Muffins and then tinkered with the recipe to make it a little healthier, substituting applesauce for oil, whole wheat flour for white, and using slightly less sugar (1/2 brown, 1/2 white). The verdict? DELISH. The husband gobbled a few, and Carter ate almost an entire muffin. Bravo!
Not my photo, but they looked like this:


1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (from TJ's)
1 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup sugar (half brown, half white - although agave would be great, too)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg (can use egg white instead, or Ener-G egg replacer to make vegan)
3/4 cup milk (can use soy to make it vegan)
1/3 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mashed bananas

Directions
1.Combine flour, oats, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt.
2.In a large bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the milk, applesauce, and vanilla. Add the mashed banana, and combine thoroughly. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper bake cups, and divide the batter among them.
3.Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 18 to 20 minutes.

Bon appetit!