Ricotta Pancakes with Raspberry Kefir

Who does not like pancakes? They are yummy and one of the best of comfort foods. But can pancakes also be healthy? Here is the recipe of Ricotta Pancakes that are not only Yummy, but Healthy as well.

             You need:
= 300g of Ricotta cheese (Protein)
= 1 Egg (Protein)
= 1/2 teaspoon of Soda
= 1/3 cup of Buttermilk (Probiotic)
= 1 1/4 cup of Whole Wheat flour (Fiber, B Vitamins, Minerals,)
= 4 Table spoon of Coconut sugar (Healthy sweetener, Low Glycemic Index-35, B Vitamins, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron) 

 = 1 Table spoon of Grape seed oil

 ~1. Place into a mixing bowl Ricotta cheese with liquid and mush cheese with a fork.

 ~2. Add 1 Egg and mix it. In this recipe use the fork all the time for mixing the ingredients.

 ~3. Add Soda and Coconut Sugar. Mix.

 ~4. Add 1/3 Cup of Buttermilk /organic, real, not substitution, like milk and lemon juice/. Mix.

 ~5. Add 1 Cup of Whole Wheat flour Gradually. Mix the mixture all the time.

 ~6. Sprinkle 1 Table spoon of Grape Seed oil on the dough. Mix.

 ~7. Sprinkle additional 1/4 cup of the Whole Wheat flour. Mix.

 ***Then, Leave the dough for at least 20-30 minutes. Let the bacterial culture of  Buttermilk to work on the dough you make. It works as a rising agent for our Pancakes.

 ~8. You have a sticky dough. How would you make Pancakes if the dough sticks to your palms?
***Do not put any more flour. Otherwise, the dough becomes too dense and our Pancakes as well. But we want them soft and airy. Right?
***Here is a trick.
Put a little bit of Grape Seed oil on the plate.Dip palms of your hands into the oil and work with the dough to form a ball. Oil prevents the dough from stickiness and at the same time let it to breath.

  ~9. Divide the dough on little equal pieces.

 ~10. Fry Pancakes. Grape Seed oil is the best to use for frying. For a stove, use Dual Heat. 

  == Raspberry Kefir ==
            You need:

 = 1 and 1/2 Cup of Kefir. Organic. When you buy Kefir, please, look at ingredients, that is written on the box or jar. Kefir only has TWO ingredients: Milk and Bacterial Culture.
= 1 Cup of fresh Raspberries.
= Agave Nectar (Syrup) to your taste. Do not use it too much as it 1.6 times sweeter than sugar. Also, you can use Coconut sugar instead of Agave.

 ~1. Place Kefir into the mixing bowl.
 ~2. Add, Mush and Mix fresh Raspberries.

 ~3. Add and Mix Agave syrup gradually. Try first before you add more of Agave. If you like the sweetness, that is enough.

Done. Beautiful color. Amazing taste. Absolutely rewarding.

Enjoy:) Ricotta pancakes with Raspberry Kefir

Mint Sauce

When you need some fresh flavor and mild sweetness to salads or a meat dish, Mint Sauce can be a great contribution to your culinary dish.

              You need:
= 4 Cups of freshly picked Mint
= 1 1/4 Cup of Coconut sugar
= 2/3 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar, organic
= 7 Table spoon of Water
= 2 Table spoon of fresh squeezed Lemon juice
= a Pinch of Salt ( I use "Herbamare" by A.Vogel)

 ~1. Wash Mint leaves and gently dry with paper towels.

~2. Chop them coarsely.

 ~3. Make a fine paste with half the Coconut sugar . You can use a mortar or blender. If you use blender add 1 out of 7 of Table spoons of Water.

 ~4. Take a pot and place: Apple Cider Vinegar + Fresh squeezed Lemon juice + Water + remaining Coconut Sugar.

 ~5. Bring the mixture to boil.

 ~6. Boil till the Coconut sugar dissolves and the liquid becomes clear. Stir all the time.

  ~7. When the liquid is clear. Turn Off the heat and add Mint paste and a pinch of Salt.

 ~8. Take off the stove. Leave to cool.

 ~9. Pass the Mint sauce through a sieve. Also you can leave some with Mint leaves. Whatever you like. 

~10. Transfer to a bottle or any other container. Refrigerate.

                     Happy Cooking:)

Preserving Garlic Scapes with Olive oil

If you grow Garlic in your garden, you know that every part of this wonderful plant is edible and highly nutritious.

  Garlic Scapes is a floral stem rising above the ground. When it becomes curly, just cut them and use for cooking. It is better for your Garlic to grow with larger bulbs and it is better for you to have a green garlic, as Garlic Scape. If your recipe calls for Garlic, use Garlic Scapes instead. I preserve it with Olive oil and freeze. Then I use it as needed.
==You need==
= Garlic Scapes
= Olive oil
= Blender
= Ice cube forms

 ==1. Wash and dry with paper towel Garlic Scapes.

 ==2. Remove top and botom of the Garlic Scapes

 ==3. Discharge them.

 ==4. Cut Garlic Scapes coursely

 ==5. For 1 cup of trimmed Garlic Scapes you need 3 Table Spoons of Olive Oil.

 ==6. Place Garlic Scapes and Olive oil into the Blender or Food processor.

==7. Blend the mixture.

 ==8. You have a beutiful spring green paste.

 ==9. Fill Ice cube forms with Garlic Scapes paste.

 ==10. Cover with plastic wrap and place the forms into the freezer.

 Use Garlic Scapes cubes any time you want to add Garlic to your dish. It works well with vegetables and meat. Happy Cooking:)