Make Pancakes Fun and Easy

While shopping for groceries at my neighborhood Costco this weekend I came across this interesting product. We thought it looked like fun so we decided to give it a try.

Batter Blaster is a spray can sort of like whipped cream that has pancake batter inside. You can make waffles, pancakes or even Belgian waffles with it.

So Sunday morning we decided to try it out. I have a Belgian Waffle Iron that I love and after heating it like I normally do I put some non-stick spray on both sides, shook the can of Batter Blaster , pointed the nozzle at the waffle iron and sprayed an amount similar to what I would normally add to the waffle iron. I let it cook the normal time and it was nice and brown. Initially I thought that they were a little soft for a waffle but just a few seconds on the plate and they crisped up very nicely.

The taste was very good, like any pancake or waffle batter you might make and there was no mess to clean up. No bowls or measuring cups. Just rinse off the nozzle, put the top back on and put it back in the refrigerator.

Batter Blaster (tm) is an organic pancake and waffle batter. The can that dispenses it is a patent pending process which makes for the fun factor. One can makes approximatley 28 - 4" pancakes. A single serving is 3 pancakes and they are about 112 calories per serving.



We liked them very much. So give them a try if you find them in your grocer's refrigerated case. If you don't find them in your store ask your store manager to get them for you. They may not even know they are available yet.

Check out the Batter Blaster (tm) web site for recipes, and more info including an awesome retro video on how to make your pancakes.

Breakfast For Dinner - Great Waffles or Pancakes

I always have buttermilk on hand at my house. I make homemade waffles and pancakes often for breakfast or dinner, and it takes a quart of buttermilk to make them for our big family. Breakfast for dinner, you say? Well, why not? Most people don't have time for a traditional breakfast in the morning anymore. So serve it up at suppertime to get that homey comfort you remember from childhood.
I love this recipe because it's quick, the leftovers can be bagged and used on other busy days, and it's cheap!

NINA'S HOMEMADE WAFFLES
Mix together in bowl:
4 cups Flour
4 TBSP. Baking Powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Add:
6 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
2/3 c. vegetable oil
Stir with wire whisk until mostly smooth; a few small lumps are fine.

Heat your waffle iron and cook as directed until golden brown. Mine takes 2/3 cup of batter, but yours may vary. Serve hot with butter and maple syrup, homemade blueberry topping (see recipe below), or sliced fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas.

Tips:
- Cool extra waffles on a wire rack; freeze two together in ziplock bags for popping in the toaster instead of toast.

- For smaller families, half the recipe! Nina's version makes a ton.

- Add one of the following to your batter, or sprinkly on waffle when you put in the iron to bake:
Chopped pecans or walnuts
Chocolate chips
Frozen blueberries

TO MAKE PANCAKES INSTEAD OF WAFFLES:

Decrease eggs to 4
Use 1/2 c. oil instead of 2/3
Add 1/2 c. sugar to batter with the dry ingredients

Homemade Blueberry Topping

I buy and freeze fresh blueberries in season every summer by tucking each individual blueberry carton in its own ziplock bag for the freezer. They last all year that way, and are quick and easy for incorporating in recipes when you need them.

1 cartoon frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Put all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat to boiling, then lower heat and simmer until berries are 'smushy'. Stir as it cooks; don't let it burn! Add a little more water if needed. Serve warm over waffles or pancakes.