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WFD: Pancakes on a Weekday, 5 Ways

Pancakes on a Week Day, 5 Ways

Yeah, so we're still working on breakfast. It is, after all, the most important meal of the day. Today: pancakes. I know they're not typically considered the fastest or most agile of the breakfast treats, but they should be. All it takes is a tiny bit of planning and some creativity, and you have yourself a car seat worthy breakfast.

First things first: choose some leisurely morning and make your pancakes. I don't have a recipe here. I figure that your own dietary needs and preferences dictate what you need. That said, here's a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan recipe from Momable's that might satisfy some requirements. If you're looking to shave even more time off prep and want a mix, I recommend Bob's Red Mill, which I just really like. But I've been eating Bisquick all week (we're spending some fam time in the Philadelphia area, and my dad is outdoing himself with new pancake creatures for Lou every morning), and Bisquick is just fine, too. Anyway, some morning when you have time to make pancakes, double your batch. Then stack your leftovers between layers of waxed paper in a freezer-proof container (or doubled up zippered freezer bags).

Freeze your pancakes between layers of waxed paper for easy retrieval during the week.

Then, come Monday, take out a pancake and heat it up. I recommend the toaster, which is what we use, but popping them in the microwave for 30 seconds will do the trick. Then, make your rolls. Here're some ideas:

1. The Classic. Halve a sausage patty or link and place in the middle of a pancake. Drizzle (just a bit so it doesn't drip out all over your blouse) some syrup on top, roll up and give to a hungry person in your vicinity. If you care to, you might try your hand at making and freezing a batch of vegan sausage while you're making your pancakes. These, from Hell Yeah It's Vegan, are delicious and the texture had this non-meat eater fooled. I am easily fooled, but I really do think they are top-notch. Freeze and reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Easy peasy.

2.  The Monkey. Spread peanut butter over your pancake, leaving a small edge all the way around. Slice a banana in half length-wise and width-wise and lay on top of peanut butter. Drizzle with honey, roll up and eat. I switch almond and cashew butter out for the peanut butter whenever I feel like it.

3. The Monte Cristo. Spread a pancake with raspberry jam. Layer a slice of Swiss cheese and a slice of (vegetarian or otherwise) Canadian bacon or ham on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, roll up and enjoy.

4. The Swedish-ish. Spread a pancake with lemon curd and ricotta cheese. Sprinkle on some blueberries (strawberries, blackberries and raspberries are all good, too) and, if you want it a bit sweeter, a bit of powdered sugar. Yum.

5. The Donut. (Save this for a Friday). Spread a pancake with vanilla pudding or whipped cream and top with chocolate chips or shavingins. Roll up. Send your kids to Grandma's to work off the sugar bomb.