The kids are on ski break this week and we have been lucky to have perfect weather. During the day the temperatures have hovered at just below freezing and in the sun it has been much warmer. During the night the temperature has dipped enough to keep the skating rinks and ski trails in good condition. It is a sure sign of spring when sunglasses become a necessity and teenage boys drive their mopeds back and forth on the patches of road that have thawed.
We decided to try out a local skating trail that has been ploughed on a crook of the Kymijoki river. It is two kilometers long and was the perfect loop for the kids. I had my camera with and checked that the ISO and white balance were adjusted and even took a few test pictures. I slipped the camera back into its case and didn’t notice that when I took it back out to capture the movement of skating children and their expressions of enjoyment, I had nudged one adjustment off. It was not until I came home that I noticed that all of the photos were a washed-out white. I was left the photos I had taken with Instragram. I was a bit disapointed! But, the main thing was that we had a good time skating and breathing fresh air and enjoying the sun after the long dark winter. We even had hot chocolate in thermos bottles, sandwiches and pulla with. Eating snacks outside is always a highlight for the kids.
Upon arriving home we needed a “fast food” that would not take too long to make. I decided on buckwheat pancakes with blueberries. The buckwheat and blueberries add a bit of nutrition to the batter. This batter is fairly thick. If you prefer a thinner pancake, add more milk. I made the batter milk free since one of our kids has been reacting to the milk. The dairy free alternative is in parentheses.
Pancakes with Buckwheat
7 dl / 3 c flour
2.3 dl/ 1 c buckwheat flour
6 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
50 g/ 2 oz butter melted (or oil)
4 eggs
5 1/2 dl / 2.3 c milk (or alternatively 2.5 dl Oatley oat cream +water for a total of 5 1/2 dl liquid)
1 dl/ 0.5 c sparking mineral water
Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix. Add the milk, butter or oil, and eggs. Mix with a whisk until their are no large lumps. Add the mineral water and mix. Allow to stand at room temperature for a few minutes before frying on a hot griddle. If you prefer blueberry pancakes, sprinkle a few blueberries on each pancake while they are frying. Serve with additional blueberries and maple syrup.
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Love buckwheat pancakes, and the ski trip looks like so much fun! Thank you also for breaking down the amounts into cups. It helps.
Yes we had a lots of fun…and a few littly mishaps…but usually they make the day more memorable. Everyone had a wonderful appetite when we came home!
Pancakes look delicious. It reminds me my childhood at grandmother home.
Childhood memories with grandparents are special. Thank you for stopping and commenting!
I love your fast food! Perfect! I love the skating trail. I grew up ice skating on a icy pond 🙂
I am craving pancakes now 🙂 They look very delicious!!
Thank you Judy! It was so much fun that we are going again today. The kids behave so well after they get lots of exercise and fresh air 🙂
Have fun today!
Buckwheat pancakes are delicious. I can imagine how hungry everyone would be after all that skating.
It is a joy to watch them eat 🙂 No complaints about “bad” food!
This fast food is definitely better than the branded ones 🙂 Your recipes always look so good and homely. Love your second picture with the cup of ice-cream? in the snow.
Thanks Danny! It is hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. The photo is from another day, we did have hot chocolate with, but we enjoyed it au naturel without the topping. 🙂
What a fun day to spend with your family! Sounds like a wonderful time and it’s good to see children outdoors and not huddled around a computer game of some sort. Your pancakes would have made a perfect dinner to end a day of skiing. It’s wholesome nourishment that won’t take you all afternoon to prepare.
I agree John, kids have way too much screen time in general. I am fairly strict with their screen time…or that is what they think! Plus there is so much research that supports how exercise supports learning…not to mention that bedtime usually goes very smoothly after the fresh air! (A bonus for Mom) 🙂
Oh my goodness, they look perfect. I have had incredibly bad luck with pancakes but I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thank you so much for your comment! I’ve had some bad luck with pancakes in the past as well. I’ve noticed that it pays to have a really good pan/griddle.
I love buckwheat pancakes! 🙂 You’ve inspired me…I have been wanting pancakes for a while and keep seeing everyone’s yummy pictures. I might make them tomorrow! yum!
I hadn’t had buckwheat pancakes for years! And when I noticed the buckwheat in my cupboard that needed to be used, it was the perfect way…and they were delicious, especially with real maple syrup 🙂
Your buckwheat pancakes looks wonderful!!
Kenley
Thank you Kenley! We really enjoyed them!
Cold, skiing weather with delicious hot pancakes like yours is the epitome of a perfect morning 😀
Love your blog!
Cheers
CCU
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for your kind comment!
Those pancakes look great! And, the skiing looks fun too!
Thank you! We really enjoyed our ski break. We were able to get in plenty of outdoor activities. I’ll post a “part 2” in a few days 🙂
What a disappointment about the photos. I like blueberries in the pancake. I think I will like this recipe. My family’s go-to pancake is a sourdough pancake recipe that my husband’s family favored. However, when I make the pancakes, I visit All Recipe’s site and retrieve the fluffy pancake recipe which uses vinegar and baking soda to fluff it up.
I would love to try a good sourdough recipe! If you have one you could share I would love it!