Lactose Free Pancakes

The Joy of Cooking basic pancake recipe has been my family's go-to as far back as I can remember. There's something about the thin, vanilla-scented pancakes that is super addictive. But like most pancakes, the recipe has plenty of milk and butter. Since high school I've become increasingly intolerant to lactose, a sugar found in milk and most dairy products. Of course I still want to have pancakes for breakfast every now and then, so I modified the recipe and came up with an equally delicious, lactose free version! 

Lactose Free Pancakes

Adapted from the "Basic Pancakes" recipe in The Joy of Cooking

Makes about twelve 5" pancakes

Combine in a large bowl

1½ cups all-purpose flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Whisk together in another bowl (or if you're lazy like me, dump straight into the flour mixture)

1½ cups lactose free milk or other milk alternative

3 Tablespoons melted coconut oil

2 eggs

generous ½ teaspoon vanilla

The coconut oil will probably harden when it's mixed with the cold liquids since it becomes a solid below 75°F. If this happens, break it up into as small pieces as you can and don't worry if it stays a little lumpy. Pour the liquids into the flour mix and stir until just combined. 

Heat a little coconut oil in a frying pan and pour about ⅓ cup of batter to make one pancake. Cook until you see bubbles on the top side of the pancake, then flip and cook until the other side is brown. These pancakes are so good I usually eat them plain, but syrup or yogurt doesn't hurt! Yogurt is naturally low in lactose, but there are a fair number of totally lactose free options including Yami and certain Yoplait yogurts.

Hot Dog Princess Amigurumi

I've seen a few episodes of Adventure Time and it's the type of show I know I'd be into but never get around to actually watching. I love the style and color palette so when my sister requested a Hot Dog Princess amigurumi I started crocheting, freehanding the pattern as I went. I know the colors are a bit off (she's more orange in the cartoon) but she turned out pretty darn cute! I can foresee an Adventure Time crochet collection in the future...

Rhubarb doesn't know what to think

Hot Dog Princess in her new home

Hummingbirds

There have been a number of hummingbirds frequenting our feeders, so I took the opportunity to take some pictures. The setup that worked best for me was putting the camera on a tripod, manually setting the focus, and using a remote to take the picture. The hummingbirds don't mind the camera too much but they get agitated if a person stands close to the feeder for too long.

What are you looking at?

I'm pretty sure this is the one we named Junior Mister

Swooping in

The male showing off his gorgeous gorget