Ruby and her friend Mady decided to go to a play one Sunday afternoon. They picked "The Shadow Thieves", (What if Greeek myths were real?" reads the description) by Anne Ursu, a Minnesota author. It was showing at Stages Theatre, not far from our house.
Ruby asked Mady to come over for brunch. I decided to make Strawberry-Vanilla Yogurt Waffles from Betty Crocker Win at Weight Loss Cookbook. (I don't make waffles very often) When Ruby heard that, she said, "Mom, I really wanted to have my very favorite, Puffy Apple Oven Pancake, that's soooo good! (the girls are 13, a time when everything is double and triple-exaggerated.) I'll just make both, I thought, I have just enough time. (You can't really ask teen girls for much help, they're too busy getting themselves ready to make the food happen.)
The Puffy Oven Pancake is really easy and to make the apple version, you melt butter in a pie pan in the oven, then sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and apple slices over the top before pouring the pancake batter over it all. I got everything measured out, assembled it all and was ready to put it in the oven when I discovered the apple slices still setting on the counter. (I've got to admit, it happens to the best cooks and bakers, we all make mistakes at times.) Well, I just tossed the apples on top, hoping for the best, realizing I couldn't go back and take the pancake batter off.
It turned out just fine, especially when inverted, no one could tell the difference. (good to know for another time) Mady agreed with Ruby, she also loves the Puffy Oven Pancake. We had our lunch and got to the play on time. It was a wonderful, imaginative and very funny play, where the bad guys just happened to love Fruit Roll-Ups. The teens and pre-teens in the audience thoroughly enjoyed it, there was lots of laughter.
Take your pick, there are several Apple Oven Pancakes on the Betty site.
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=6586&Source=SearchResultPage&terms=Apple%20Oven%20Pancake
The girls, just before pouring syrup over their Sunday brunch. (I'd quickly turned the Waffles into pancakes when time got away from me.)
Strawberry-Vanilla Yogurt Waffles or Pancakes
Start to Finish: 25 Minutes
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs or 3/4 cup fat-free egg product
1 container (6 oz) vanilla fat-free yogurt (2/3 cup)
3/4 cup fat-free (skim) milk or water
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1. Heat waffle iron. (Waffle irons without a nonstick coating may need to be brushed with canola oil or sprayed with cooking spray before batter for each waffle is added.)
2. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In medium bowl, beat eggs, yogurt and milk with wire whisk; beat in butter. Pour egg mixture all at once into flour mixture; stir until moistened.
3. Pour batter from cup or pitcher onto center of hot waffle iron. (Check manufacturer’s directions for recommended amount of batter.) Close lid of waffle iron. Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until steaming stops. Carefully remove waffle. Repeat with remaining batter.
4. For each serving, arrange 2 waffles on plate. Top with 1/4 cup sliced strawberries.
6 servings (two 4-inch waffles and 1/4 cup sliced strawberries)
1 Serving: Calories 350 (Calories from Fat 80); Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 1g); Cholesterol 120mg; Sodium 530mg; Total Carbohydrate 61g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 31g); Protein 9g
% Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 20%; Calcium 15%; Iron 10%
Exchanges: 2 1/2 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1 1/2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 4
Stay tuned for more about Betty Crocker Win at Weight Loss Cookbook, a great resource for families.