Monday, April 20, 2009

The REAL "Protein Pancakes" of my childhood


Thank you to Loren Kaplan, my Rustic Canyon neighborhood pal, who located the original Canyon School Cookbook: Cosmic Cookery for Kids. This cookbook from the 70’s contains the real Protein Pancake recipe I so fondly remember my mom whipping up. I thought I'd done a good job of recreating the recipe through memory and the combination of a bunch of recipes I'd found online, but this makes much more sense with the ratio of cottage cheese to flour. Since the cookbook is likely not an easy find, here’s the recipe, which I have adapted slightly (omitting the sugar/salt and adding in some natural flavor boosters instead):

Cosmic Cookery for Kids' Protein Pancakes

1 lb cottage cheese (1 tub)
6-8 large eggs
1/2 cup flour (all-purpose, whole wheat, gluten-free...your choice)
2 t vanilla
1-2 T cinnamon
lemon zest, optional

Blend everything in the blender until the batter is smooth with a consistency of sour cream. Bake small pancakes on hot non-stick or buttered griddle, turning once. Serve warm. Wonderful topped with Greek yogurt, applesauce or maple syrup. 

Now I know what I am making the kids for supper tonight. Mmmm, I wonder if the cookbook also has my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Toy’s Egg Foo Yung?

4 comments:

  1. I think I might make them again soon, too. I feel so important being mentioned on your blog! Whenever I look through the Canyon Cookbook, I'm always amazed at how much good stuff is in there. It is very original. I hope you're all doing well. Let me know when you're going to be back in CA for a visit, and we can get our families together!
    -Loren

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  2. Finding this post has totally made my day. I love protein pancakes too - and the Cosmic Cookery for Kids book. That's my mom's recipe and the cookbook was her PTA project. And I think I remember you, Eila, from Canyon days - weren't we girl scouts together??

    I found your site googling the Cosmic Cookery book. I am always hoping someone someday will have one for sale. My mom is deceased, and I have two kids and only one copy of the cookbook. Eeek! Anyways, it looks like you're happy and up to wonderful stuff. Thanks for the nice blast from the past.

    - Heidi Hattenbach (now in Mexico City)

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  3. I made these while the beautiful snow greeted us this morning! Your recipe completely rocked! I will keep this recipe and use it! Thank you for sharing it with the cyber world:)

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  4. so glad they were a hit kelley! they're in the daily breakfast rotation once or twice a week around here b/c I can make them ahead. so easy, delish and good for you too!! can't beat that!

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