Mixed berries, finger millet and amaranth GF Pancakes

Coconut Yoghurt is something that will change your life forever, I think I have jumped on the coconut yoghurt bandwagon a little late but better late than never right? I mean considering that coconut oil used for cooking and as a moisturizer and of course hair oil – I have done it all thanks to having lived in Mumbai. The most amazing taste of coconut oil in food I have eaten has got to be the banana chips sold at small tiny shops mostly to be found outside railway stations where raw banana slices are deep-fried in a massive wok gingerly balanced on a gas stove. It is a miracle how though these street food stall owners manage to function in tiny spaces in the busy bustling lanes adjoining stations – it is just something I shall never be able to figure out!

Ok back to coconut yoghurt – I wanted to use them in pancakes and also use a mix of flours to come up with a pancake that is not just fluffy but a bit crunchy too – a fusion of the dosa with the pancake really. This time I left out the Natvia sugar and upped the berries and let the natural fruit sugars do their magic.

Co Yo is a very creamy and delicious yoghurt made with coconut milk – it is 100% dairy-free , 100% gluten-free – and true to their tag line it really does taste like – heaven in a mouthful! An offshoot of Planet Organic these are now manufactured in Kent by Bethany and her husband Paul, read all about it here.

Health Benefits of these pancakes:

• Finger Millet prevents any spikes in blood sugar as it is naturally Low GI
• No added sugars mean it is refined sugar-free and safe for diabetics
• The use of amaranth which is GF and a great source of protein. It contains lysine which most grains lack.
• High Fiber
• The omission of semolina will make this recipe suitable for vegans too
• 100% dairy-free, 100% gluten-free coconut yoghurt
• Thick and creamy consistency from the coconut milk yoghurt
• A great option for people aiming to loose weight as part of a balanced diet with exercise
• Low carb and low-fat recipe suitable for those looking to maintain low levels of bad cholesterol ( diabetes patients face a risk of increased cholesterol)

Amaranth is a gluten–free food and a source of complete protein—it contains all the essential amino acids, including lysine, which is lacking in most grains. High in fiber and a good source of magnesium and iron, Amaranth is a spectacular addition to your diet.

Serves: 1 – makes 6 mini pancakes – double up quantity for 2 people

Preparation and Cooking time:15 minutes + 20 minutes to rest the pancake mix

Ingredients:

• 4 heaped tbsp finger millet flour / Nachni in Marathi / Ragi in Hindi
• 1 tbsp Amaranth flour / Rajgira in Marathi and Hindi
• 2 tbsp toasted semolina / toasted rava – OMIT for a vegan version
• 2 tbsp oats
• 2 pots  CoYo – one plain and one with vanilla
• Handful of blueberries
• Handful of blackberries
• Handful of raspberries
• Olive Oil
• Water

Method:

•  In a large bowl add the oats, amaranth flour, semolina. Then add both the pots of yoghurt and mix well. To make your pancakes GF omit the semolina.
• Then chop the foods roughly and add them into the mixture.

• Dilute the mixture with water until you get a consistency good enough to pour into the pan and make a pancake.
• Set aside for 20 minutes to allow the mixture to develop a good consistency. In my first attempt I did not add oats and used the mix immediately – the difference with oats and resting time is a fluffier pancake that has more bounce and kick 😉
• Heat a pan on a medium flame and add 1 tsp of olive oil then spoon the mixture and flip when the pancake starts to separate from the side using a wooden spatula.
• For maximum effect stack the pancakes on a fancy plate, serve with a large dollop of CoYo, and a handful of mixed berries.

*With thanks to CoYo for sending over the samples. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Kindly do not reproduce any images without my prior permission. Please consult your doctor if you have been diagnosed as a Diabetic before making any drastic changes to your diet. None of the information in this post is to be used for self-diagnostic and/or medical purposes. Please consult your doctor and / or a trained dietitian for any existing health conditions.