RECIPE: Vegan Pancakes with Healthy Caramel Sauce

I am finally back with a recipe. Yes it's been like a million years since I've done a foodie recipe that I was happy to share with you and I am glad I waited. My life has been filled with restaurant reviews and well, living life. Having a full time job, wedding planning, reviewing restaurants and being with my lovely fiance means that, to be honest, I've been cooking a bit boring! We have a cycle of meals that are generally all vegetarian but not hugely interesting! Think stir fries with tofu, shakshuka like every week, vegan chilli etc.... So! When I made this delicious breakfast on the first day of Veganuary I had to share it! Healthy, vegan, gluten free - this breakfast literally has it all for us picky eaters. 

Also isn't it funny how now we are eating better for ourselves and the environment we're called picky or difficult. Perhaps it's actually a self-reflection of those people who haven't made the commitment? Wow, I sound a bit rude but HEY! I'm not picky, just thoughtful. 

Ingredients - Serves 2

Pancakes

• 2 bananas (riper the better)
• 6 tablespoons of oats
• 1/4 cup of non-dairy milk (oat, soya, almond, coconut, etc)
• 1 tablespoon of flax seeds (optional)

Caramel Sauce

• 6 dates, stones removed
• a splash of water

Caramelised Pears

• 2 pears
• a tablespoon of caramel sauce (see above)
• a teaspoon of cinnamon
• a splash of water

Method
Start with the caramel sauce. Lob the six dates and a splash of water into a blender. Blend into a smooth paste and add more water to get the desired consistency. We added a sprinkling of salt to make this a salted caramel sauce - YUM!
Next, move onto the caramelised pears. Cut the pears into 1cm cubes, making sure to removed the core and stalk - keep the skin though. Put a teaspoon of coconut oil into a pan then add the pears. Stir for a few moments then add the caramel sauce (above) and at least a tablespoon of water. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until soft then sprinkle over a little cinnamon. Set aside.
And finally the pancakes! Put the 6 tablespoons of oats into a blender and blend into a powder. Add to a jug then add the bananas into the empty blender. Blender into a soft mush (oh yum!), then add to the oats. Mix into a paste, add the flaxseeds and the 1/4 cup of your milk choice. I used oat milk. Mix into a runny paste.
Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to a frying pan and gently heat. Pour about 1/2 a ladle of mixture into the centre of the pan then flatten out into a pancake. Cook for about three minutes on each side - there will be bubbles when they are done. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Share out your pancakes between two people then top with pears and a scoop of caramel sauce. Delicious!

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