Vegetarian Recipe #9: Wheatberry Pancakes (from scratch)

I'm calling the "Wheatberry Pancakes" because they're made by grinding actual wheat berries. No box mixes or packaged flour required. This is as fresh as they come (unless of course you grow the wheat yourself....).

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheatberries
• 1 cup skim milk (local if possible)
• 2 eggs (free range)
• 2 Tbs. honey (local)
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 Tbs. oil (I used olive oil)
• pinch salt

optional toppings:

• fresh fruit
• real maple syrup (strawberries, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, etc.)
• raw nuts

Instructions:

Grind wheat berries using a grain mill, coffee grinder, or blender. If using a blender combine the whole berries with the milk and blend until smooth. If using a grain mill or coffee grinder, grind wheat berries alone. Then add milk. Stir together. Once wheat berries and milk are combined, slowly stir in all other ingredients. That's it! You have pancake batter from scratch.

Heat griddle or electric frying pan to about 300 degrees. Depending on the surface of your pan, grease lightly with cooking spray, oil, or butter so the pancakes won't stick. Pour batter onto pan. When the pancakes begin to bubble and dry out on the edges, flip with a spatula. When both sides of the pancakes are golden, remove from pan. Repeat until all batter has been used. Serve pancakes and top with your favorite toppings.

Note: If using maple syrup, make sure the bottle says "real maple syrup"....I just realized this year that many pancake syrups contain NO maple syrup - just high fructose corn syrup! You'll pay a little extra for real maple syrup, but it's worth it for the taste and your health.