chocolate pancakes + vanilla syrup [a peterson family original]

My husband's family are big fans of breakfast. Every morning Julie, my mother-in-law, makes breakfast for the family, usually it's pancakes. She has done that for years, which is a giant task considering they have 12 kids. Half of them are married now, but that still leaves 6 kids plus my in-laws. If you do the math, I'll help you....6+2=.......8. Thats 8 mouths to feed. Which is probably at least 2 batches of this recipe!

I'd say a good chunk of the town have had these pancakes or other varieties of them.

Julie's Famous Chocolate Pancakes + Vanilla Syrup:

Vanilla Syrup (make first & set aside)

2 c. sugar

2 T. clear gel (only found online) or cornstarch

1 stick of butter

2 c. milk

1 t. vanilla

Combine sugar & clear gel in bowl. Melt butter in sauce pan, once melted add milk & bring to a boil. Add sugar/clear gel mixture, stir until combined. Whisk in vanilla. 

Chocolate Pancakes

2 c. flour

1 1/2 t. baking soda

1 T. sugar

1 t. salt

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

as much milk as you want until it's the consistency you want!

3/4 c. cocoa powder

mix the first 6 ingredients (flour, soda, sugar, salt, egg, & vanilla), then start adding the milk

add milk until its the consistency you want ( keep your milk out, you're going to need more)

Then start to add the cocoa a little at a time unless you want to inhale a cloud of it. Not to mention it's easier to stir in that way. 

 Once the cocoa is all stirred in, add more milk until it's back to pancake consistency.

Heat up the pan & start making the pancakes as big or small as you want. (don't make fun of the scoop, I didn't bring any measuring cups this summer because I do not bake, that's Brady's thing, so we improvised)

I'm a fan of turkey bacon, so while Brady was making the pancakes I made the bacon!! 

eat them hot & right out of the pan, drenched in Vanilla Syrup. Brady likes to spread peanut butter on his before he drowns them with syrup. I tried it, but I liked them w/o the pb. SO dress your delicious pancake however you please. 

• bananas
• strawberries/any berry
• nutella
• jam
• (according to Brady) I'm gross & I like to drag mine through my over-easy egg yolk!

I'm severely lactose intolerant/corn intolerant so we subbed almond milk for the milk in the pancakes & I use pure maple syrup for my syrup instead! Also if you're not in the mood for chocolate pancakes just omit the cocoa powder. My mom-in-law also makes Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Cider Syrup for Thanksgiving, but you'll have to wait till then for those.....

How do you dress your pancakes??

Best Green Smoothie Base

Everyday after my workout I whip up one of these bad boys and drink up. Some people I've talked to about spinach drinks, or green smoothies have tried them but ended up absolutely hating them! I have found the perfect 'base' for any GREEN drink. 

1/2 frozen banana {I keep a bunch in the freezer after they've ripened and pop em' in the microwave for 15 seconds or so before I plop it in the blender}

1/2 green apple {these are the key ingredient in combo with any spinach/kale based drink. They coat the 'green' taste & make the drink just taste like a crispy apple!} 

2{ish} cups spinach {or kale or whatever green you choose. I prefer spinach the most.} 

Throw it all in the blender. Along with a

Handful of ice cubes &

1-1 1/2 c. water 

Then blend until it looks smooth & free of spinach pieces. 

Viola!! Then drink up!

There are lots of other things I like to add to my smoothies. Here's a surplus of other things you can add to make your drink bigger & badder...

• any berry {strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry...}

• any fruit {try: mango, pineapple, orange, peaches...}

• carrots

• celery

• flax seed {chuck full of omega-3's

• chia seed

• fat free greek or regular yogurt {for a creamier taste}

• protein powder {adding this would turn this into the perfect meal replacement}

There are lots more options out there but here is a few good ideas to get you started and feeling great! Maybe even shed a few lbs for the summer!!