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.

Vegetarian Recipe #1: Butternut Squash Ravioli with Maple Basil Dressing

This one is easy! Graham and I make it on nights we get home late (which is often) and need to throw something together in a few minutes. We keep our freezer stocked with Trader Joe's Butternut Squash ravioli just in case! I invented the dressing when we first bought Butternut Squash Ravioli and wanted an alternative to regular tomato sauces and cream sauces (which the internet recommended).

The sweetness of the maple syrup mixed with balsamic vinegar is great!

Ravioli Ingredients:

1 pack Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Ravioli

(found in refrigerator section, near hummus)

Basil Maple Dressing Ingredients:

10 fresh basil leaves

2 Tbs. sundried tomatoes

3 Tbs. real maple syrup

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. rosemary

salt and pepper to taste

Add Butternut Squash Ravioli to a pot of boiling water. Boil 10 minutes, watching carefully so ravioli doesn't explode. Believe me, you don't want the squash filling to ooze out into the water.

Chop basil leaves and sundried tomatoes. Combine with all other ingredients, except ravioli, in a small dish. Do not heat, let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.

When Ravioli is finished cooking, strain but do not rinse. Divide evenly into two shallow bowls. Pour dressing over ravioli.

Enjoy immediately!