Protein Blueberry Waffles

These are super delicious and so good for you! They have the option of being either pancakes or waffles, which ever you'd prefer.




Protein Blueberry Waffles:

1 cup oats
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
6 large egg whites or 5 XL egg whites (or better yet, 5 oz [which is just over half a cup] of egg whites)
A couple packets of equal, splenda, or any other sweetener you want to use
1 tsp vanilla
A couple handfuls of FROZEN blueberries
A handful of chopped walnuts

Combine in a blender or food processor the oats, cottage cheese, egg whites, splenda and vanilla. Blend until it's no longer chunky and smooth like a batter should be.
Stir in frozen blueberries and walnuts. Poor into a preheated waffle iron (I use a Belgium waffle iron).
Top with your favorite ingredients! My favorite are fresh strawberries, whipped cream and a delicious sugar free syrup that I found!


Protein pancakes:

1 cup oats
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
6 large egg whites or 5 XL egg whites (or better yet, 5 oz [which is just over half a cup] of egg whites)
A couple packets of equal, splenda, or any other sweetener you want to use
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla

Combine in a blender or food processor the oats, cottage cheese, egg whites, splenda, cinnamon and vanilla. Blend until it's no longer chunky and smooth like a batter should be.

Cook like normal pancakes. Top with your favorite toppings!

Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk Pancakes

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

1. Whisk flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in medium bowl. In second medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, sour cream, eggs, and melted butter. Make well in center of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients; gently stir until just combined (batter should remain lumpy with few streaks of flour). Do not over mix. Allow batter to sit 10 minutes before cooking.

2. Grease pan. Using 1/4 - 1/2 cup measuring cup (depending on how big you want your pancakes), pour batter into pan. Cook until edges are set, first side is golden brown, and bubbles on surface are just beginning to break, 2 to 3 minutes. Using thin, wide spatula, flip pancakes and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Serve pancakes immediately. Repeat with remaining batter.

Classic Granola

I love granola and have been looking for a good recipe to make myself. This one is very tasty!



Classic Granola
(Thanks Cooks Illustrated)

1 cup walnuts, chopped
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup blanched almonds, slivered (or halved)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup raisins or craisins (optional)

Kelsie's Extra:
Brown sugar (optional)

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients together in a large bowl.

Heat syrup and honey together with oil in a small saucepan, whisking occasionally until warm. Pour mixture over dry ingredients. Stir with spatula until mixture is thoroughly coated. Put mixture onto a cookie sheet and spread into an even layer.

Bake, stirring and respreading mixture into an even layer every 5 minutes until granola is light brown, about 15 minutes. Immediately turn granola onto another cookie sheet to stop the cooking process. Stir in raisins, then spread granola evenly in pan. Set on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Loosen granola with a spatula. Store in an airtight container.

**Optional: If you like it a little sweeter, toss the finished mixture in a little bit of brown sugar. It is delicious both ways!**

Cinnamon Burst Pancakes

Cinnamon Burst Pancakes

Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. flour
2 Tbs sugar
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/3 c. milk
3 Tbs vegetable oil
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. cinnamon bursts

Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl. Mix oil, milk, vanilla and egg in a separate bowl.
Mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add cinnamon bursts and stir together.
Cook over medium heat or on a skillet