Let’s just get this out of the way. This blog post will not include any secret apple pie, pumpkin pie, or apple cider donut recipe. 😉
Now, if you’re still with me… back to secret recipes.
Every family has them somewhere in the kitchen. Maybe it’s in your Aunt Sue’s chocolate chip cookies. Or perhaps your grandpa’s homemade pasta sauce. Or maybe it’s your mother’s cheesecake. There’s just that one recipe with the secret ingredient that stays in the family. Well, in our growing family, the secret recipe –or rather recipes go by the names of “Nana Pancakes” and “Nana Muffins.” These beloved pancakes are made at least once a month. Now that the oldest grandsons are old enough to help, you’d better let them! If you dare utter any word that rhymes with or triggers the memory of these delectable treats, little E will insist on having NanaMuffinsPlease! And they are now a staple in the youngest grandson’s diet who is finally eating solid foods!
Lucky for you, Nana is sharing the recipe. Why? Because she believes vegetables can be fun for kids (and adults, too… but that’s for another blog!).
The recipe for Nana-cakes is a modified version of the McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Pancake Mix that is sold at Delicious Orchards.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Pancake Mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable mixture*
*Vegetable mixture usually consists of canned pumpkin, (steamed & pureed) broccoli, and (steamed & pureed) carrots. However, depending on who’s eating them, the ratio of broccoli to carrots to pumpkin may change a little. Some of us who don’t prefer greens in our diet are “tricked” into eating them in our pancakes 🙂 Nana says “you can be creative with the 1/2 cup of vegetables!”
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix until blended well.
- Slightly butter the griddle.
- Pour mixture onto hot griddle and wait for bubbles. Once they’re ready, flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on opposite side.
- Serve warm and watch your little ones gobble them up! Enjoy!
- Served with pure (Vermont!) maple syrup as an extra touch of deliciousness!
Nana says: There’s also room to play around with the milk and vegetable ratio. Sometimes, I add more vegetables and less milk. And everyone gobbles them up just the same!
She also does the same substitutions when making Nana Muffins, which uses the McCutcheon’s Pumpkin Bread Mix.