These times have been very tough across the world. But something that many lucky ones can share now, is the opportunity to be at home with their family. Explore fun and creative ways to use food to keep your kids entertained while feeding your family!
*Build-Your-Own Pancake Taco Bar*
Pancakes and tacos? I know what you’re thinking, it sounds crazy! But this is a very interactive and versatile way to use ingredients you may already have at home for a hands-on meal together. Using simple pancakes as your “tortillas,” and ingredients such as sliced fruit, jams & syrup or scrambled eggs, chopped meats & cheese for your topping bar. What will you need?
Simple Pancake Recipe: Yields 8 medium pancakes *T = tablespoon, t = teaspoon*
- 2 C Flour (all-purpose is recommended but gluten-free options such as almond or rice can be used. See the packaging for measurement adjustments)
- 1.5 T Sugar
- 4 t Baking Powder
- 1tSalt
- 2 C Milk (any kind of milk including all dairy-free varieties)
- 4 T Melted Butter (dairy-free substitute works too)
- 2 T Vegetable Oil
- 1.5 T Vanilla Extract
- 2 Eggs (vegans can use flax “egg”! 1T flax, 3T water = 1 egg)
- In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients using a fork
- In a separate mixing bowl, add wet ingredients but don’t overmix! Gently stir until they’re just combined, a few lumps are okay
- Stir the dry mix into the wet mix in 3 parts, being mindful not to overmix as you combine them
- Let your butter sit for 5 minutes so it can fluff back up a bit
- Douse a paper towel or napkin in oil so you can easily prep the pan between pancakes (non-stick spray works too)
- Heat your non-stick skillet or flat griddle to medium heat and use a greased towel or spray to coat the surface
- Add in 1⁄4 C of butter; once there are small bubbles across the whole pancake, use a spatula to flip them
- Cook on the other side until they are golden brown in color, crisp around the edges & fluffy in the middle! Repeat steps 6-8 until the butter is gone
- To keep them warm while you cook: place on a baking sheet in a 175-degree oven OR create a foil pouch by tearing a large piece of foil, crimping its edges to leave one opening and stacking them inside as they are done.
*Sweet & Savory Topping Bar Ideas*
- Sliced or Mashed Bananas
- Sliced Strawberries or Kiwis
- Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries
- Diced Mango, Pineapple or Apples
- Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Nuts
- Shredded Coconut
- Sprinkles
- Nut Spreads like Peanut Butter or Nutella
- Fruit Jams
- Applesauce
- Maple Syrup
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Scrambled Eggs
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Crumbled Sausage
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Avocado or Red Onion
- Diced Tomatoes
- Black or Pinto Beans
- Canned Corn
- Black Olives
- Jalapeños
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Fresh Herbs like Cilantro or Basil
Choose as many toppings from sweet & savory as you’d like — more options, more creativity! Once you have your toppings prepped & set into bowls, whip up your pancakes so they’re warm & easy to work with. Then let your family’s imagination run wild! Maybe you’ll create one sweet & one savory? Or combine flavors and put some sticky syrup on your spicy sausage?
Want a good laugh? Try blindfolding each other and see if you can guess what your chefs prepared. The possibilities are endless and allow you to have some fun while creating an unforgettable at home experience. Take photos of your personal pancake taco bar to share with friends and other families. You never know how many people you’ll inspire to get cooking!
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Recommended Books:
- Family Cookbook Recipe Journal: A Blank Recipe Book for Family Favorites
- Our Family Recipes Journal
- Recipe Keepsake Book – Favorite Family Recipes
- Recipe Keepsake Book – To My Daughter: With Love from My Kitchen
- The Leafcutter Ants: Civilization by Instinct
Recommended Books for Kids:
- Pancakes, Pancakes!
- If You Give a Pig a Pancake
- Pancakes!: An Interactive Recipe Book
- Kitchen Science Lab for Kids
- Mama Panya’s Pancakes
- Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast
- How to Make a Pancake
By: Alexx J. for The Adventures of Pili. This is the latest post in the Pili´s Explorers Cookbook conceived Kike Calvo and the team of The Adventures of Pili, which profiles interesting information, research and thoughts on nutrition and food around the world for families and kids.
All photos: ©Canva Image Collection and the authors.
Banner Photo: © Rama Khandkar