Golden turmeric pancakes

We’ve included plenty of highly nutritious ingredients in this recipe, including turmeric to give these pancakes an especially inviting golden hue, plus delicious Turmeric Granola from *We the many, for a brekky that’s not only good for you but also good for the planet. We said they’re healthy - but what you do with the maple syrup is up to you! 

Why is turmeric so good for you?

The golden colour of turmeric indicates that it is packed full of polyphenols, a type of plant chemical that provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.[1] When paired with black pepper (like in this recipe), turmeric becomes more ‘bioavailable’, so it’s better absorbed by the body and can be more beneficial. 

Turmeric has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine where it has traditionally been used to relieve symptoms of mild osteoarthritis, plus pain and inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have also known about turmeric’s benefits for a long time. It’s still traditionally used to ease symptoms of painful soft tissue injuries in Chinese medicine. 

We* the many Turmeric Granola

Speaking of turmeric, curcumin is the active ingredient that unlocks turmeric's full potential – and We* the many have used 95% curcumin in their Turmeric Granola, along with ground ginger and a little black pepper (piperine) which helps to improve its absorption. The combination of golden oats, sunflower & pumpkin kernels, along with coconut, flaxseed and oat bran, provide a good source of fibre. 

Are oats healthy? 

Oats are a great source of prebiotic fibre - they help the body to eliminate toxins and also feed the good gut bacteria on the way through the colon. But did you know that oats are also great for your mood? 

Oats are known in Western herbal medicine for their calming effects. This is because oats are not only high in stress-reducing nutrients like vitamin B6, they also contain significant amounts of tryptophan, an amino acid that is needed for serotonin production.[2] 

Flaxseeds for skin health 

Flaxseeds are a wonder ingredient for so many reasons - but two of the best reasons to include them in your meals regularly is their high vitamin E and omega-3 content.[4] Flax contains the plant omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid which, along with vitamin E, helps to reduce skin inflammation and prevents UV damage.[5,6] 

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon ground flax meal + 3 tablespoons water
• 1 cup flour (1:1 gluten free flour mix/plain flour/spelt flour)
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (like oat, almond or hemp)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon neutral tasting oil (like avocado or light olive oil)
• 1/2 cup oat flour (blended oats)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional additions to pancakes: handful chopped mixed nuts or blueberries
• To serve: sprinkle of We* the many Turmeric Granola per serving plus a handful of blueberries or any other fruit you have in the fridge

Instructions

1. Combine the ground flax and water and set aside - this becomes a sort of gel like consistency which will replace the egg.
2. In a small bowl combine the milk, vinegar, maple, vanilla and oil and whisk to combine.
3. In another large bowl add all the dry ingredients together and whisk until combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients and the flax egg to the dry and whisk until just combined (don’t over whisk).
5. Fold in chopped mixed nuts or blueberries if using or keep them plain.
6. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat with a little oil to grease.
7. Once warm, use a 1/4 measuring cup or ladle, scoop pancake batter into the pan.
8. Cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes or until bubbles start to form around the edges.
9. Repeat until all the batter is used.
10. Served warm with a sprinkle of We* the many Turmeric Granola plus some maple syrup, and fresh fruit of your choosing.

References:

1. Wadir MI, et al. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2016;17(6):2735-2739. 
2. Xie Q, et al. Int J Biomed Sci 2015;11(2):76-81. 
3. Yamashita K, et al. Lipids 2003;38(12):1249-55. 
4. Linus Pauling Institute. Reviewed February 2012, accessed October 2022 from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/essential-fatty-acids
5. Linus Pauling Institute. Reviewed February 2012, accessed October 2022 from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-E#:~:text=Vitamin%20E%20has%20been%20considered,all%20signs%20of%20skin%20inflammation.