Here’s a Healthy Hermit Pancake I put together with a bit of “inexpensive” and “easy”. Brightens breakfast on a snowy day and makes the taste buds smile….  Not long ago I noticed a box of Fiber One pancake/waffle mix at Big Lots.  Price: $2.30 and  significantly less than $3.49 grocery store price.

Pour into small mixing bowl the directed amount of mix desired for number of pancakes.  Add two or more tablespoons of ground flax seed. (I purchased mine at Walmart for $8.00). Both mix and flax seed purchases come in handy for other recipes.

I like to use buttermilk instead of water called for on box recipe. At the grocery, I chanced upon buttermilk (store brand) that was discounted that day.  I find that buttermilk lasts refrigerated much longer than milk.  I use buttermilk for most anything requiring milk, water and/or oil.  The buttermilk is quite healthy plus eliminates use of oil.  No egg required; but if I use an egg (extra protein), I can get by with less buttermilk.

Place a little butter in skillet, pour in lightly stirred pancake mixture.  Flip when the pancake shows little bubbles and a spatula slides easily under the cooked side.  Cook pancake until each side is lightly browned.  Spatula onto plate.  Use a joyful plate, of course.

You may spread with butter, honey, jam or syrup, but The Joyful Hermit topped pancake with some home-made brandied cranberries* that saved, refrigerated, for an embarrassingly long two years!

I topped this delight with a squirt of canned whipping cream that some guests brought with pie at Christmas and insisted I keep.  Otherwise, I rarely purchase unless on sale; it is more expensive than whipping heavy cream. But the effect of whipped cream does add an element of beauty, don’t you think? Sometimes it is worth a well-appointed splurge that also can be used to embellish other food presentations.

Finally, sprinkle the Healthy Hermit Pancake with ground walnuts, almonds, pecans or other embellishments such as dried cranberries or ground cinnamon.  Serve and eat with a happy heart!

*The recipe for the brandied cranberries will be featured in an upcoming cookbook selection: Cooking with The Joyful Hermit.