Gluten Free Pancakes

 What do Miley Cyrus, Mariel Hemingway and  Spice girl Geri Haliwell have in common? No, its not their million dollar paychecks nor their colorful fashion wardrobe but a gluten intolerance or wheat allergy.  We have all been reading (or hearing) terms such as gluten-free or wheat-free…but let us first understand what it is and all the fuss surrounding it. 

According to Wikipedia, gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat…..Gluten produces that elastic texture in dough that makes them rise and hold its shape when baking.  It is that chewy texture in bread, pizza, and pastas  that makes them so appealing to eat. Unfortunately for some, gluten produces food sensivity or intolerance. Its symptoms range from frequent head aches,  skin rashes, digestive problems (bloating or excessive gas, diarrhea, and constipation) among others.  Another more serious condition caused by consumption of gluten is Celiac disease. People with Celiac Disease, according to the Mayo Clinic experience an immune reaction in their small intestines causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. Its symptoms  like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating are very much similar to food intolerance symptoms.  Unfortunately in the Philippines, we  don’t  have a gluten testing facility yet. We can just rely on a trial and error method by avoiding a certain food for a particular time and observe our bodies’ condition.  I am not telling you to be paranoid or what….but if you have an undiagnosed health concern, then you might try giving your diet a change.  Those who have benefited from switching to a gluten free diet are children who have autism.  Jenny McCarthy strongly insists on a gluten free diet for autism. She says  that her son was cured of the disorder. Even Karen Davila swears by a gluten free diet for her son, David, diagnosed with the same condition. Aside from being gluten free, Karen Davila’s son is also under a casein (milk) free diet.

It is believed that going on a gluten free diet whether you have food sensitivities or just want to give your digestive system a break is quite pricey and leaves you with very limited food choices. I think otherwise. One can have fruits and vegetables, legumes, eggs, meat, and rice. With enough planning and preparation, you can serve your family with healthy meals that won’t break your bank account.  As for me, I don’t follow a gluten free diet but I sometimes enjoy giving myself and my family a break from digesting all those protein starches from time to time (thus the presence of other gluten free posts ) …Try this gluten free pancakes made from legume starches or you can opt to have the much easier banana and egg pancakes. You won’t regret it either way. :) 

Gluten Free Pancakes

Yield: 7 or 8 pancakes (5 inch rounds)

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten free flour (I used   Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix 

 available at Healthy Options)

1 small packet stevia (I used Sweet Leaf also available at Healthy Options) or 2 teaspoons sugar) –optional

2 teaspoons baking powder  (I used Bob’s Aluminum free baking powder)

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk (cow’s milk, almond, rice milk) (I used rice milk available at SM Supermarket)

1 large beaten egg

2 Tablespoons melted butter

extra butter or oil for greasing the pan

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, stevia or sugar, baking powder, and salt. Set Aside.

2. In a separate bowl, mix liquid ingredients – the milk, beaten egg, and melted butter.

3. Pour liquid mixture in flour mixture.  Mix until almost no lumps are seen.

4. Heat a little oil or butter in pan (preferably non-stick).

5. Pour a around ¼ cup of the mixture.  I used and ice cream scooper.

5. Flip when bubbles start forming on the pancake.

6. Serve with butter and the classic maple syrup if desired. Top with bananas or other

    fruits for more nutrition.