Wholemeal Chia enriched healthy pancakes!

Every Saturday morning I make these pancakes for my husband. They're really delicious and healthier than your typical pancakes (I'll tell you why at the end!).

You will need:

• 1/2 Cup normal self raising flour*
• 1/2 Cup Wholemeal plain flour*
• 1 egg
• 1 Cup of skim milk
• 1 teaspoon of Chia Seeds
• 1 tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  
• A frying pan
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• A spatchula
• measuring instruments

Makes 3 Pancakes - Double the mix if you need more!

* - I use 50/50 composition of wholemeal and normal flour so it's not too 'gluggy'. I also found that a 50/50 composition of self raising and plain flour made my pancakes not rise too much. So basically, just use 2 different flours, one being self raising the other plain, one wholemeal and the other plain. Hope that makes sense!

Step One

Mix flours, egg, milk and Chia seeds in a large mixing bowl. Make sure you mix it well as you can't sieve wholemeal flour. Don't worry if it's a bit lumpy - it's got to be. You've got Chia Seeds and wholemeal goodness in there! If you feel the consistency is too thick, add a bit of milk to it. If you feel it's too watery, add some flour.

Step two

Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in the pan, depending of course on the size of your pan. I like to 'deep fry' my pancake a little bit (not excessively, but enough to get that olive oily taste).

Put it on medium to high heat.

Move the olive oil around a bit so it is roughly but evenly distributed around the pan.

Step three

Pour the pancake mix into the pan. 

Move the pan around so that the pancake can get to your desired size.

Can you see the bubbles?

Step four

Wait until you can see little bubbles on the surface of your pancake. 

Don't get excited and flip it at the first sign of bubbles, actually wait until the pancake is full of bubbles (it will make it easier for flipping).

Step five

Flip your pancake!

If you have done this successfully well done. It's the hardest thing about making pancakes!

Wait about 1-2 minutes and check the other side carefully. 

Transfer to plate.

Now eat!

Some suggestions for toppings we frequently have.

• Banana and honey
• Banana honey and yogurt!
• Vegemite! (Ok, that's just me.... But try it it's delicious!)

Don't stop reading here. I'm going to tell you why these are so much better for you than 'normal' pancakes.

• I used wholemeal flour, instead of just lots of plain flour. Wholemeal is better for your digestive system and is low GI.
• I used skim milk, and we all know that skim milk is better for you than fat milk.
• Chia seeds - these are the secret ingredient. Chia seeds are rich in protein, omega-3 and are low GI. There are many proven health benefits of having chia seeds, check them out. (For those poor buggers in the country - I believe this will cure Ross River, get some into you!)
• I used extra virgin olive oil. Traditionally, to make pancakes you use butter on the pan which is full of fat. Olive oil is much better for you!
• The 'shake and bake' pancakes you find in the supermarket are full of sugar and preservatives. These pancakes have no nasty sugar, the ingredients come straight from the pantry so it has no yucky preservatives either!
• They're delicious AND healthy, meaning less guilt!

If you try them out, comment and let me know how you go!