Easy coconut pancakes

So, um, hi. I still exist. I still cook. I'm still really bad at this blog upkeep thing. BUT it's September... a new school year, a fresh start, etc. etc. Who's to say how often I'll update the ol' Birdie, but I've had this recipe lurking around on my desktop for months and honestly it's just too darn tasty not to share! 

Now let's get real here; I’m not really a big pancake person. I'm not even really a brunch person. But when I do venture into the daunting world of vegan brunch, I often forego sweets and opt instead for a savoury menu item. However, I went out on a limb with this recipe and these homemade pancakes turned out wonderfully. There is actually no sugar in the batter because the shredded coconut adds just the right amount of sweetness (not to mention a nice hit of texture). Top them off with fresh berries and maple syrup and you’ve got yourself a brunch dish yummy enough to rival even its saltiest of counterparts. Really. So good.

Vegan coconut pancakes

Serves 2

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup shredded coconut

3 tbsp oil

Fresh blueberries

Pure maple syrup

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Next, whisk in the milk, water, and coconut until smooth. Heat the oil (about 1 tsbp per batch of pancakes) over medium heat. Finally, ladle in the batter and cook pancakes until golden brown and slightly crispy (about 3 minutes per side). Serve with fresh berries and maple syrup and enjoy!

P.S. Look familiar? Here's why!

Morning glory

photos by pwisenberg

If you've ever wondered (because I'm sure you all have), what my ideal Sunday morning would be, it's this. I made the yummiest ever fruit smoothies, that included pineapple, banana and tons of citrus and Paul and I enjoyed them with fresh bagels (a Sunday tradition). I topped mine with this amazing (amazing!) jalapeno cilantro hummus that I got from the One of a Kind Show on Friday. It's funny that I went to the show expecting to get jewellery or scarves, and instead came away with hummus and this adorable hand-crafted mug. Go figure! Next, we took the domestic dorkiness to a whole new level by randomly deciding to go on a hunt for a jigsaw puzzle. Sadly, the only one we found was from the dollar store. But, on the plus side it's a puzzle of the Toronto skyline, eh eh? Lastly, we just received a shipment from amazon which always excites me. I can't wait to get reading- just need to finish Jonathan Franzen's epic (read:way too long?) Freedom first...

I hope your weekends were as peaceful as mine. Here's the delicious smoothie recipe:

Spring fresh fruit smoothie
Serves 4

1 pineapple, diced
2 bananas, chopped
zest and juice of 2 oranges
juice of 1/2 grapefruit
1 tray's worth of ice cubes
splash of almond milk (optional)

Whiz it all together in a blender and enjoy!