Buttermilk is no Substitute for Blueberry

Nothing says breakfast like blueberry pancakes. And, that is what today is dedicated to. It’s national Blueberry pancake day. Blueberries and pancakes go together like Peanut butter and chocolate. How come they Blueberry and pancake didn’t get a commercial? When you want Blueberry pancakes, anything else is just a placeholder. Unlike in pulp fiction, Buttermilk is no Substitute for Blueberry. Even if you don’t particularly care for blueberries on their own, Blueberry pancakes are so natural, you can’t help but love them.

But, they aren’t just good tasting. They have, as the french say, a certain “I don’t know what” (je ne sais quoi). Whether you are in America, France, The Seychelles, or Hong Kong, nothing says breakfast quite like blueberry pancakes. And, at the risk of repeating myself: Buttermilk is no Substitute for Blueberry. You can take your chocolate chip pancakes, crepes, blinis, serabi, Jeon, or any other international form of pancake, and do whatever you want with them. You better not lay a finger on these all American icons. Top them with a strawberry compote and you’ve got the red, white and blue all in one plate, baby.

Buttermilk is no Substitute for Blueberry to start your morning.

While pancakes aren’t the healthiest thing for you, by modern health standards, they are far from the worst. Flour, milk, eggs, sugar, and a leavening agent. What’s wrong with that? Compare these to doughnuts, and you’re way ahead of the game. The amount of sugar in a pancake is generally lower than doughnuts. And, donuts are deep fried, then topped with more sugar. So, right off the bat, you’re doing better than most people who run on DD. Then, add in the magical ingredient: the blueberry. And, now you have all kinds of health benefits (and a color unique to the world of food).

While buttermilk pancakes are great on their own, they are basically an empty palette to build on. You can add all sorts of flavors: Berries, bananas, chocolate chips, M and M’s, Whatever floats your boat. So, plain buttermilk and all its possibilities stands as the most popular pancake type (kind of like vanilla is the most popular ice cream). But, the number 2 pancake flavor is Blueberry. The flavor burst is intoxicating. And, there are lots of health benefits to blueberries:

1. Low calorie for their size
2. Low sugar and carbs for something so sweet
3. Loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and several nutrients
4. Loaded with anti-oxidants that slow or stop free radicals
5. Anthocyanins and other anti-oxidants help with anti-aging, blood pressure, brain function, blood problems, heart disease, cholesterol, and even cancer.

Don’t Forget the Maple Syrup

Beside keeping our friends in Canada and Vermont in business, Maple syrup is the perfect topping for Blueberry pancakes. You thought Blueberries had all these health benefits? Maple also has anti-oxidants that help with diseases. But, it also has a low glycemic index that can actually help with diabetes, and, aid in digestion. Like blueberries, it is also high in vitamins and minerals like manganese and zinc, which help with immunity.

If you want savory pancakes, follow this link. But, for most of us, starting the morning with blueberry pancakes and maple syrup is as American as Barack Obama, Groucho Marx, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Blueberries are grown across the country. The top 3 producers are Washington state, Georgia, and Michigan. So, they are literally available coast to coast. And, they come in several varieties. But, the most common one is Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum). These are adaptable to many climates, and yield a larger more consistent berry. If you have ever been to Maine, though, you know about their wild blueberries. Unlike the ones you get in the store, these are smaller,have less water, and pack more flavor, and berries per pound. Of course, having less water, they have more calories. But, if you get the chance, give them a try.

Either way, enjoy your blueberry pancakes and start your day off right! Our recipe adds a splash of Joy with Grand marnier! An even better way to start your day!

Blueberry Grand marnier Pancakes

cheffd

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American, canadian

Ingredients

  

• 2 each Large Eggs
• 1 Cup Buttermilk (may substitute regular Milk)
• 1 Oz Grand Marnier
• 1 1/2 cup Fresh Blueberries,( plus extra for garnish)
• 1 Cup AP Flour
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/4 tsp Kosher or sea salt
• 1 oz Coconut Oil
• Unsalted butter, coconut oil, or a neutral oil for cooking
• Maple Syrup for serving

Instructions

 

• Whisk together eggs and sugar. Add the milk. Continue whisking. Add in vanilla and Grand Marnier
• Melt the coconut oil. Add to Egg mixture.
• Mix all dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then Whisk the dry into the wet ingredients. Then, fold in the blueberries. Allow to rest at least 10 minutes. Longer if possible. This gives the gluten in the flour time to relax and create a fluffier pancake.
• Melt some butter or heat oil in a Skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Spoon or ladle the pancake mix in in the desired size and shape. Cook for a couple minutes per side. When Bubbles form, and they pop, leaving a hole, it's time to flip. If they get too dark, turn down the heat for the next ones. Serve with Maple Syrup, garnish with fresh berries if desired.

Keyword blueberry, Grand marnier, Pancakes