Recipe: High Protein Cottage Cheese Pancake

Categories: Breakfast, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian

It can be hard to get enough protein at breakfast. This is a great option to have something on the sweet side without missing those protein goals.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process on high until well combine about 30 seconds.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. When skillet is warm spray with organic canola oil.
3. Working in batches, add the batter in 3 tablespoon portions, spacing evenly on the pan. Cook until the pancakes are set around the edges and golden brown on the bottom. The batter won’t bubble up like traditional pancake batter. Gently flip the pancakes with a thin spatula and cook until the second side is golden brown 1-2 minutes more.
4. Transfer to plate. Continue cooking with the remaining batter.

These are best topped with summer fruit like berries or diced peaches. Enjoy!

Makes: 2 servings
Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
Source: adapted from thekitchn.com

Chia Seed Jam

This is a great option for a jam substitute that sneaks in extra fiber to your diet. Works best with in season summer fruit!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit (see suggestions below)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (only if needed)

Directions:

Heat fruit in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the fruit is heated through and begins to break down and bubble. Use a spoon or potato masher to mash the fruit to your desired consistency. Stir in the chia seeds and lemon juice until combined. Then taste and stir in 1 or 2 tablespoons sweetener if needed. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. (The jam will thicken considerably as it cools. Give the jam one final good stir. Then serve immediately, or transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Makes: 1 cup
Preparation time: 10 minutes

Notes: Fruits that work well in chia jam: Berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries), cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, pineapple, kiwi. Basically any “juicy” fruits.

Optional add-ins:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• lemon zest (to make your jam a little tangier)
• a pinch of spices (such as cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg, etc.)

Keep in mind that different kinds of fruit will yield different textures, flavors, etc. So, taste and adjust your jam as needed. For example, some fruits may need more sweetener than others (e.g. raspberries are much tarter than blueberries.) Some fruits are juicier than others (e.g. pineapple will make a much juicier/thinner jam than strawberries). Feel free to nix the lemon juice if your fruit is already tart.

You get the idea. Taste, adjust as needed and enjoy.