Simple Semi-homemade Blueberry Honey Pancakes

I love pancakes, but haven't quite mastered the homemade ones yet. I've been practicing, sorta, but haven't gotten the flour, baking soda, baking powder ratio exactly right. When I do, and if I try again, I'll be sure to post--even if the results are bad! This past weekend I really wanted some diner style breakfast!!! Even though it was almost 1pm I needed some pancakes and eggs in my life. Fall is trying to sneak its way in around here, and I'm not liking it, so traveling was out of the question. Plus I had a slight headache, so off to my kitchen I go!!!

I absolutely adore Aunt Jamina's pancakes. I especially like the quick mix, only add water mix--you know, the don't have to fool with eggs and oil mix. Yes, it is great, easy to make, and even better to eat! Looking around I remembered I had a few eggs, small brick of cheese, but no potatoes. Sad face. No homefries this round for me. The menu I set out to (quickly and simply) make consisted of pancakes and scrambled cheese eggs. In the fridge I also saw a jar of honey jam with just a few spoonfuls left. Might as well bring that out while I'm at it!

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 bowls/containers
• 1 saucer
• Spatula, small non stick frying pan, 2 forks, 1 spoon
• Your favorite jam/jelly
• Eggs
• Cheese
• Pepper or seasonings of your liking
• Pancake Mix
• Packet of hot chocolate
• Peppermint stick

Are you surprised that I don't follow the instructions on the box? As with most things, I eyeball it and make it how I like it. For the sake of writing this, and to honor my pledge I'll try my best to give accurate details on the steps!! See--I haven't forgotten   ^_^"

Using one bowl, I poured in pancake mix, then slowly added water while stirring. Added more mix, then more water. I always do this slowly, so I don't mess it up. Continue until you have a consistency that you like. Personally, I don't want a dense pancake, but I don't want watery batter either. My mixture is thick enough to just drip out of the bowel when tilted, but thin enough to be a fluffy pancake. Once I got it right I added about 3 over flowing spoonfuls of my Blueberry Honey Jam, and stirred!!!

This made about 6 medium sized pancakes

**** T i p s ****

~~~Not sure if you got the batter quite right. Do a test pancake!

~~~Don't like blueberry? Just add your favorite jelly or jam to the mix! Experiment.

~~~Don't like preserves? Try chocolate chips, or fresh fruit.

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Side note:

I'm in love with Roger's products. They're from a local bee farmer who sells products at local farmer markets and shops around the city. There's honey, wax, candles, jams, combs, classes for new bee farmers--a ton of things available through them! If you ever have the chance you must try it!! Even if it's a honey stick, which comes in many flavors. The jam I used is made the traditional way, except the sugar is substituted with honey!

Quick Honey Facts: 

• It's a natural alternative to sugar 
• Can be used in tea, pancakes, on toast, for a sore throat, or even to heal a cut
• It's a natural antiseptic and pure honey never spoils
• Local honey is from bees that took pollen from local plants. If you have seasonal allergies eating local honey can help prevent them. 
• Honey made at different times of the year taste different depending on what's in season. The taste comes from plants that the bees pollinated.
• Clover (common honey found in Ohio) honey, is honey that bees made by taking pollen from clover flowers.
• Try apple honey (from apple blossoms), there's also citrus honeys, and many more!

Interested in learning more about honey, or Roger's? Check this out :  Support Local!

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Once the mix was...mixed, I set it aside. Six eggs was what I had, so I decided to use them all. Why not? After cracking all of them I changed my mind about the scrambled cheese eggs. An omelet sounded better to me!!! Six eggs is a lot for just 1 omelet, and my small non stick frying pan. Two omelets were made this time. I'm very paranoid about cross contamination. I mixed the eggs so I could be done with them, and wouldn't have to touch them again once I started cooking. Washing of the hands was next!

Pan preheated on medium and I'm ready to pour! There are some pancake flipping guru's out there, but I am not one of them. One pancake in my can at a time please and thank you! It took me a very long time to be able to flip pancakes (or eggs) without jacking them up. Practice makes perfect...or at least presentable. It's ok if you mess up just keep going. You have a whole bowl of batter to get it right! One thing I wanted to point out was syrup wasn't really needed for these pancakes. The honey used in the jam gave a subtle sweetness to them.

**** F l i p   T i p ****

~~~~Watch for bubbles on the uncooked side of the pancake. See bubbles = time to flip

~~~~Loosen all edges gently with a spatula before flipping

~~~~Get as much of the pancake under the spatula before lifting

~~~~Keep pancakes a small to medium size-- it'll make flipping easier 

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Eggs simply seasoned with ground black pepper

This is about 1/4 of a brick of cheese. Divided, one 1/2 went into one omelet.

My non stick frying pan was wiped clean, then placed back on medium heat. As if I were making scrambled eggs, I poured some of the mixture into the non stick pan. Poured until about half was in the pan, and the bottom of the pan was covered. I left it alone for a few seconds while the bottom cooked. Using my spatula, I gently lifted a side of the omelet, then tilted the pan so that any uncooked egg would run under it. I repeated this on all sides of the pan until most of the egg was gone from the top. This helps speed up the cooking process.

After doing that I let the egg sit for a few more seconds, so that the egg I just tilted under would cook. Next I put half of the cheddar cheese on one side of the omelet. Once this was done I gently lifted the opposite side with my spatula. The lifted side was then folded over, and pressed together lightly. Remember that there's still egg inside that's not fully cooked!! I let the omelet continue to cook for about 3 minutes on both sides before serving.

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The hard part is now complete! For the grand finale: Peppermint Hot Chocolate!!!!!!! Could you hear the announcer and echos?? Ok ok..I'm done ^_^*

Quick Peppermint Facts:

• Mint essential oils are used in wines, sauces and as an antiseptic
• Can help nausea, indigestion, toothaches, cramps, and tension headaches
• A number of stomach ailments are aided by peppermint. This is why they're often given after meals, and why non prescription meds are flavored with it.
• The oil can be used as a rub for sore muscles
• There are more than 20 variations of mint; all have benefits
• The herb as calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin A, C, and many other nutrients

It was a cool drizzly day and I felt like hot chocolate was missing from it. To make it I heated water on the stove, then poured it into a cup. One packet of Swiss Miss was emptied into the cup, then stirred. I'm not big on pills, so to help calm my headache I added a peppermint stick to my hot chocolate. The stick melted from the heat of the drink adding a sweet comforting flavor.

***Variation***

I like rich hot chocolate on cold days!! You can substitute the water for milk to achieve this. Yum!!

Possible Substitutions:

• Add veggies like spinach, onion, tomato, olives, or carrots, to your omelet
• Need meat? Add precooked ground sausage to the omelet
• Try an egg white omelet
• Spice it up with pepper jack cheese or a little chili powder
• Try wholewheat or gluten free pancake mix
• Add fresh bananas or apples to the pancake mix
• Try cinnamon in your batter
• Fancy? Add a dab of sour cream and salsa to your omelet
• Use sugar free jelly in the mix

Do you know any other variations for this? Have a recipe that's similar...comment below!!