{Huckleberry Pancakes}
Some friends see food as nutrition while others are looking for comfort. We all have that friend who is indifferent to food and sometimes actually forgets to eat? Or the other friend who sees every social get together as an opportunity to eat. In my family we blame any weight gain on our "food issues". Who knew food had issues?
But have you ever-viewed food as art? These days I bounce back and forth between thinking of cooking and baking as a chemistry project and wanting to lovingly prepare a masterpiece of sight, texture, smell and taste for my family and friends. I will digress here and explain the chemistry project reference. It seems that as I age I am finding it important to learn those things I should have learned in school. Back in the day, I didn't see the relevance of science, math or geography. As an example of my ever increasing enlightenment, when I went into sales, I was paid based on a complicated formula of percentages...boy, did I learn percentages fast! So in addition to marveling at the chemical reactions of food such as what happens to fish when making Ceviche, I am thinking of food as art.
I work to prepare food that encompasses vision, talent, effort and love. What makes food pleasing to the sight? I ask you; what is more pleasing, a large mound of food or a colorfully arranged serving on a plate. In the case of food, more is not necessarily the most inviting. When I was working with hospice patients, I saw that the sight of large portions of food on their plate actually made them ill. I learned that serving smaller portions of more attractive food was welcomed. If you find your aging parent is indifferent to food, try smaller portions with a little garnish. A sprig of mint, a yellow nasturtium or a few leaves of basil looks inviting and smells terrific...and is all editable.
As you continue to prepare food that nourish the body, try preparing and presenting food that nourishes the soul. It is easier than you think.
RECIPE:
While in Montana, I learned that a huckleberry is actually a fruit, not just the name of a cartoon character. These little berries are sought after by bears and human beings alike. The berries are purple with a sweet to tart taste. Huckleberries are my new favorite berries. You can do tons of things with them including making a huckleberry lemon drop martini but below is my recipe for huckleberry pancakes. Enjoy!
Huckleberry Pancakes
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cup of all-purpose flour
3 1/2 Teaspoons of baking powder
1 Teaspoon of salt
1 Tablespoon of white sugar
1 1/4 Milk
1 Egg
3 Tablespoons of melted butter
1 Cup of Huckleberries
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, shift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter.
3. Mix until smooth.
4. Add Huckleberries.
5. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.
6. Pour or scoop 1/4 cup of the batter per pancake onto the griddle.
7. Brown on both sides and serve hot with fresh huckleberries and syrup.