Last Sunday I began the day with a super powered green smoothie. Because we all need a little balance in our lives, I decided this Sunday I would kick off the new week with my flavolicious gluten-free banana easy teff pancakes. Banana pancakes are an all time favourite from when I was young and my family would go on our annual holiday to Jamaica. A breakfast treat would be fried banana fritters with fresh grated coconut. We would be so stuffed afterwards that all we could do the rest of the day was lay about lie sloths on various surfaces – hammocks, beach chairs, rafts, sand…
But alas – I have learned that the food we eat should make us feel alive, rather than put us into a food coma. Banana pancakes remain a weekend treat but I have gone ahead and adjusted them using teff flour, applesauce instead of oil, almond milk, free run eggs and my own ground teff.
Teff is a great wheat alternative and traditionally grown in Ethiopia as a cereal crop where it is ground into flour, fermented for three days then made into injera, a traditional sourdough flat bread. Added bonus, aside from it being a gluten-free grain, is that it is especially high in lysine, the amino acid that is most often deficient in grain foods. Teff is also an excellent source of fiber and iron, and has many times the amount of calcium, potassium and other essential minerals found in an equal amount of other grains.
I have not ventured as far as making the fermented injera, but it is really only a matter of time. For now – I’ll stick with my banana pancakes with a dollop of my homemade strawberry butter and my own freshly grated coconut.
oh..these look lovely! I second the question regarding the egg replacement?
and thanx so much for this very interesting info regarding the teff! I have known about these enjeras since here in Israel there is a large ethiopan community,and I was intrigued about it,but never got the chance yet to try..now Im even more intrigued after learning from you how nutritious they are!Thank you so much!
Lol, I had pancakes for breakfast this morning too. Hubby made them while I was still sleeping and brought them to me in bed. Traditional pancakes with real maple syrup and fresh *local* strawberries. They were wonderful, but after your comments on my cleanse experience, I was wondering how to do gluten-free pancakes. It’s like you’re reading my wee little mind. Thanks so much. Now I just have to figure out where the heck I’m going to get teff. I already have everything else else in my kitchen.
Mmm, I have all the ingredients to make these. Thanks Meghan! PS – No strawberry butter around here, but it’s berry season now. I should make some as that sounds divine! :)
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Love banana pancakes and love me some Jack too! Do you think chia or flax gel would work as an egg sub for this delicious recipe?
These sound amazing! I bet my picky boys would even like them, now to hunt down some teff flour!
oh..these look lovely! I second the question regarding the egg replacement?
and thanx so much for this very interesting info regarding the teff! I have known about these enjeras since here in Israel there is a large ethiopan community,and I was intrigued about it,but never got the chance yet to try..now Im even more intrigued after learning from you how nutritious they are!Thank you so much!
(FYI I emailed you, just letting you know in the case my email is being a spaz again!)
You are making me hungry! I have heard good things about teff flour lately, will have to look into it.
Lol, I had pancakes for breakfast this morning too. Hubby made them while I was still sleeping and brought them to me in bed. Traditional pancakes with real maple syrup and fresh *local* strawberries. They were wonderful, but after your comments on my cleanse experience, I was wondering how to do gluten-free pancakes. It’s like you’re reading my wee little mind. Thanks so much. Now I just have to figure out where the heck I’m going to get teff. I already have everything else else in my kitchen.
It doesn’t really have to be teff flour- any gluten free flour will work perfectly well- brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, sorghum etc.
I love green smoothies! A great way to start the day!
These were absolutley delightful!! They were so nice. And I love banana’s in pancakes or muffins. You have covered this well for me!
I am so proud that I was able to make not just pancakes, but HEALTHY pancakes from scratch. No shake shake bottle for me anymore!!
Mmm, I have all the ingredients to make these. Thanks Meghan! PS – No strawberry butter around here, but it’s berry season now. I should make some as that sounds divine! :)