Plant-Powered Protein Pancakes w/ Passion Fruit | dolly and oatmeal

hey, hey! i just completed my 3-week cleanse/elimination diet this past sunday, and i couldn't be more thrilled about how i'm feeling, but also that it's now over! it was somewhat of rollercoaster being that our little one went through/is still going through some sort of sleep regression (??) - again! (gosh, i hope it passes soon!) but overall i came out of these 21 days with a bit more clarity, which, whatever you're doing in life, i think is always a good thing. overall, it informed me that our bodies are capable. period. that given the capacity, our bodies are ready and able to adapt - to let you know what's working, and what's not.

seriously though, the only hard thing about being on somewhat of a strict diet for the past few weeks was not making and eating everything in laura's new, amazing cookbook! i'm sure i'm preaching to the choir, but her book is nothing short of totally lovely. i've been such a fan of the first mess blog for quite a while. it was one of the first blogs i reached for when i had changed my diet and was hunting for answers/inspiration/help. much like the best things in life, her blog has a way of luring you in, sweeping you up, gently encouraging you to try something new.

her book is only an extention of that - deeply nourishing both visually and substantively. laura's flavor combinations, kitchen techniques, her wildly ingenious recipes, and her stunning photography all ooze with inspiration. even when it's something as simple as a tea latte, laura has this way of making it special, and making it something you want to share in with others. there's also something to be said about a good recipe title, and laura's are enticing, yet cheeky, like: thai-ish cabbage salad, go-to kale salad with "master cleanse" dressing, lazy steel cut oatmeal, a casually specific green smoothie, and homemade popcorn with magic dust. maybe it's just me, but recipes with "casually specific" titles speak to me ;)

i made these plant-powered pancakes a few times, and (not surprisingly) they're aces. i'm not going to lie, i'm always on the lookout for an easy, lady-with-a-baby-recipe (i.e. anything involving little cleanup and a short cook time). and these pancakes are a one-bowl (blender container) situation, and are quick to make, which checks all the boxes. plus, the recipe calls to make 2 huge pancakes, instead of a few little ones, and i'm not sure why i never thought to do that! the pancakes are squidgy and earthy, and hearty, but light. i topped them with almond milk yogurt, some tart passion fruit, and drizzled it all with coconut nectar. you can really do no wrong with one of laura's recipes, so i would nudge you to go out and buy this book!

congrats, laura. this book is a gem.

here's to longer days, and the eventual pops of spring! xo

plant-powered protein pancakes | v & gf

| serves 2 |

1/4 cup certified gluten-free rolled oats (not quick-cooking oats)
1/4 cup raw buckwheat groats
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, or to taste
virgin coconut oil, for cooking

for serving

chopped fresh fruit
nut or seed butter
pure maple syrup

method

place the rolled oats, buckwheat groats, chia seeds, and hemp seeds in a high-speed blender. cover with the boiling water. place the lid on the blender and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
set a medium pan over medium-low heat.
after 5 minutes, add the applesauce, baking powder, vanilla, sea salt, and maple syrup to the blender. whiz the blender on high until you have a relatively smooth, pancake-like batter. you'll still see little flecks of chia and this is okay.
lightly oil the saute pan and pour in half of the pancake batter. spread the batter with a spatula. let the pancake cook for a good 2 minutes on one side, or until the edges of the pancakes dry and the underside is quite browned. carefully flip the pancake over and cook for another full minute. repeat this process with the remaining half of the batter.
serve the pancakes with fresh fruit, nut or seed butter, and maple syrup if you like.