MIA

I realize I have been missing in action lately. Matt and I have had a lot of late nights working and I just haven't gotten myself motivated to post in awhile due to sleepiness...and possibly a little bit of laziness. But I have been cooking, and I have been snapping photos. I'll try and catch up over the next week or so. Only to probably go MIA again in about a week because I'm getting my wisdom teeth out next Friday! Woo-hoo! It's the perfect anniversary present to myself lol.

I have been pinning lots of smoothie recipes so I'll probably do a round up of all of them and post it when it's all said and done. If anyone has some suggestions for filling, easy to eat foods that I can have after my wisdom teeth come out, please feel free to share!

Anyway, on to the task at hand. Actually posting a recipe:). I made these mini zucchini pancakes a couple weeks ago for something new to try. They sounded really good and I thought they'd make for a nice, easy lunch throughout the week. Well, I was right! These are really good over a spinach salad with balsamic dressing, paired with some applesauce, or topped with a dollop of sour cream and chives (and maybe bacon, you know.....because they're healthy...you can totally get away with it. ha!).

Zucchini Pancakes


You will need:

• 2 medium zucchini, grated
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh chives
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup grated parm cheese
• 6-8 tbsp whole wheat flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil spray

Grate zucchini using the large holes on your grater and place in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with olive oil. Spoon onto skillet, about 2 tbsp per pancake. Cook each side until brown. Set aside and keep warm. Continue with batter, makes about 20 small pancakes.

These things smell awesome. I'm warning you now, you'll want to devour them all. I put them by 5's in freezer bags and when I want them, I heat up a bit of olive oil in a small pan and give them a quick fry. A serving size is 5 pancakes, at 134.9 calories, 4.7 grams of fat, 16.2 carbs, 3.5 grams of fiber, 8.7 grams of protein and 2.1 grams of sugar.

Source: Skinnytaste

Swap Time!

This round was another SRC-style swap, hosted by A Taste of Home Cooking. I'd like to take a minute and just say that I give her so much credit for putting these together. It seems like an awfully big undertaking and a very big commitment. So thank you! I really enjoy doing the swaps and appreciate all the time and effort you put into them:).

This round I received Ommy Noms food blog. I was so excited when I got my e-mail and saw this because I have made a couple things off her blog before and had more recipes bookmarked to make. Perfect! After some serious deliberation I decided to make her recipe for Maple Oatmeal Pancakes. I've been loving pancakes lately. I'll make a large batch and wrap them by two's, and stick them in the freezer for a quick breakfast that doesn't have to taste quick!

I'm a breakfast lover, it's a necessity for me. I can never get away with skipping breakfast like some can, or only survive on a cup of coffee and a banana. I need food! So when I'm in a hurry, or a half asleep state, it's nice to know I've got delicious pancakes in the freezer- one minute away from my enjoyment.

Maple Oatmeal Pancakes


You will need:

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 quick cooking rolled oats
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 eggs

Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, soda and salt in a medium bowl. Add milk, oil, eggs  and maple syrup, stir until fully combined. I also added 1 tbsp of flax meal to the batter.

Lightly oil a non stick skillet over medium high heat. Pour batter into skillet, 1/4 cup at a time. Turn when bubbles form on the surface. Cook until second side is browned.

And how can you forget the final step?: Smother them in real maple syrup...mmm :).

Makes about 7-8 pancakes.

It was hard not to eat all 7 or 8 in one sitting...but I managed to display some self control and put some away in my freezer :).

Source: Ommy Noms Adapted from Allrecipes