vegan coconut silver dollar pancakes

Vegan Coconut Silver Dollar Pancakes and their best friend, Maple Syrup

A fully functional kitchen at last! After a month of salads, microwave meals and dinners out, it's taken me a good week to return to the rhythm of preparing my own meals. But cooking is like riding a bike--you never really forget how, even though you might get a bit rusty. I've made a few basic meals so far, and am astounded by much better food tastes when you make it from scratch.

I heart my new griddle burner.

This morning I wanted to try the griddle burner on my new stove. I had a hankering for pancakes. But after 4 weeks of generic fare, I wanted to add a little somethin'-somethin' to re-inaugurate weekend breakfast in style. Since the kitchen cabinets are not yet fully assembled, my foodstuffs are still scattered about the loft. Two of the few semi-exotic, pancake-friendly ingredients I could find  were coconut flakes and coconut extract. And so these carby little gems were born. It's been ages since I've posted a recipe, so I'm very happy to share these easy breakfast treats.  [By the way, the kitchen is almost finished – maybe two more weeks of work. Kitchen update after the recipe.].

Coconut Silver Dollar Pancakes

• 1 cup flour [I used half spelt and half unbleached white]
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup non-dairy milk [I used unsweetened flax milk]
• 2 tsp coconut extract
• Maple syrup or agave nectar, for serving

Serves 4, makes about 14 3-inch pancakes

In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Whisk in milk and stir until there are no lumps. Batter should be fairly thick, but add a tablespoon or two of water if batter is too thick to pour.

Pour about 1-2 T batter into heated, lightly oiled griddle. Cook until bubbles form on one side, then flip and cook other side until golden. Serve warm with syrup.

Bitchin' Urban Kitchen Update

Bare-naked new kitchen, waiting for tile, granite counters and fresh paint (and new lights)

I know there's still a lot to do, but even as the kitchen stands now, I am thrilled with it. It's turning out exactly as I had envisioned it – practical, minimal and restaurant style. Somebody pinch me, please. 

Bruce is going to help me make a chalkboard-painted cover for the fuse box, where I can jot down recipes, grocery lists, and haiku.

I love my new Brancusi-esque faucet which replaced the crappy Ikea one I originally bought. With faucets, I learned from F-Stop, you usually get what you pay for.

Fridge area cupboards. We still have some leveling to do and doors/shelves need to be installed. Look at all that cupboard space!

Nerdy of me, but I love organization devices. This under-sink, pull-out doodad lets me sort my recycling.

I'm still in the process of organizing my vast spice collection [Notice there's a spice rack above my sink, too].   I totally recommend these drawers if you are a spice girl, like me.

Once kitchen is complete, I'll give you a complete "tour."