Why you should switch to buckwheat

Buckwheat is a fruit that is nutritious and a fantastic alternative for grains to wheat that are sensitive to wheat or other grains.  Buckwheat can be sold as groats or flour.  Groats are light-coloured kernels that you can buy whole or ground, and either raw or roasted.  Buckwheat flour is available in light or dark, the dark contains more of the hull, therefore more fibre and nutrients, and has a stronger, nuttier, flavour.  Buckwheat can be used in porridge or as a replacement for wheat.

Buckwheat is a wholegrain and a fantastic source of manganese, copper, magnesium, fibre and phosphorus, because of its high nutrient profile it has many health benefits when consumed regularly in your diet.

Pancakes

1 cup buckwheat flour (or ½ buckwheat and ½ flour of choice)

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1¼ cups buttermilk, shaken*

1 large egg

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Butter, for the skillet

Roasted Strawberries

1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced into bite-sized quarters or halves

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

Method

1/Roast the strawberries: preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, gently toss berries with the sugar and maple syrup/honey. Arrange the strawberries in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, stirring halfway, or long enough for the berry juices to thicken but not burn (watch the edges in particular).

2/Make the pancakes: in a medium mixing bowl, mix together the flour(s), sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a liquid measuring cup, measure out the buttermilk. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

3/All at once, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. The batter should have some small to medium lumps.

4/Preheat your skillet over medium-low heat and brush with 1½ teaspoons of butter. Give the batter a light swirl with a spoon in case the buckwheat is starting to separate from the liquid. Using a ¼-cup measure, scoop the batter onto the warm skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until small bubbles form on the surface of the pancakes (you'll know it's ready to flip when about 1 inch of the perimeter is matte instead of glossy), and flip. Cook on the opposite sides for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden brown.

5/Transfer the cooked pancakes to a baking sheet and place in a preheated 200 degree Fahrenheit oven to keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more butter when needed. Serve immediately.

Recipe via :cookieandkate.com

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