Banana Pancakes

I am not a fan a so called "health food". I don't believe that replacing the sugar in your cookies with dates makes them better. I don't believe that gluten free pastries are healthier, and I certainly don't think that making your cake with avocado in place of butter means you can eat it endlessly. 

That being said, banana pancakes do have a reputation as a "healthy" version of pancakes. There is a very popular recipe out there that masquerades as a "pancake" recipe, but in all reality is a glorified banana scramble (containing literally only banana and eggs, yuck) . That is not what I am here to give you today. I came up with this recipe because I was craving a more traditional pancake, but I wanted something quick, I saw a banana in the kitchen and so these banana pancakes were born semi-accidentally. As sort of a fusion of a traditional pancake recipe and the dreaded banana scramble, I took a banana and egg base and added a few tablespoons of flour, because I think it makes them better and the egg less prominent. I've also added a pinch of baking powder, to make them pancakey, and a bit of melted butter, because fat is yummy. This resulted in a slightly sweet pancake that I ate with just butter and felt completely contented. 

This recipe really only makes enough for one person, maybe two. Most of my recipes I consider "quick" have been developed when I have been both alone and impatiently hungry. When you find yourself in the company of other hungry individuals it seems much easier to rally a full and fancy meal but, alone, it sometimes feels like all that work is too much if only to feed yourself. A meal for a crowd, or even a couple, tends to be a production, whereas a meal for oneself is more about gathering the energy to simply avoid opening the freezer and really make something from scratch. These pancakes use only a few ingredients, and in small, manageable quantities. They will be ready in minutes; ten at the most, and can make even a small, solo breakfast, a time to enjoy.

Banana Pancakes

Serves 1-2

Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 banana

2 eggs, beaten

3-4 Tbps all purpose flour

1 tsp (just eyeball a small nub)  soft or melted butter + more for frying/serving

a large pinch of baking powder

a pinch of salt 

Method

In a small bowl, mash the banana with a fork until it is as smooth as you can get it/ baby food consistency.

Add salt and eggs and beat until well combined.

Stir in flour and baking powder. Use more or less flour depending on the size of the banana and eggs / desired consistency. The batter should be slightly runnier than a normal (American)  pancake batter. Not too thick. 

Stir in butter.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt a teaspoon or so of butter and pour about 1/4-1/3 cup batter into the pan, repeat with however many you can fit. This recipe makes about 4 medium sized pancakes. 

Fry until the bottom is golden and brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 1 minutes on the other side.

Serve with butter, syrup, cinnamon, yogurt or whatever you like. The banana makes these pancakes a bit sweet, I find I prefer them without syrup and just a pat of butter.