Recipe: Buckwheat Pancakes

Delicious..and balancing..pancakes? That's all we need to say!

Here's the recipe:

Ayurvedic Buckwheat Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat flour (Vata & Kapha friendly) or almond flour (Vata & Pitta friendly)

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (balances all doshas, aids digestion)

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (warming, balances Vata & Kapha)  

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (calming, balances Vata & Kapha)  

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (optional, for fluffiness)

• Pinch of salt (balances Vata)

• 1 cup plant-based milk (almond, oat, or coconut) or cow's milk (if tolerated)

• 2 tablespoons ghee, melted (Vata balancing) or coconut oil (alternative)

Optional: 1 egg (if tolerated, for added richness)

Topping

• 2 apples or pears, peeled and diced

• 1 tablespoon ghee

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons raw honey (add after cooking) or maple syrup

Method

Prepare the Spiced Batter

• In a large bowl, whisk together the buckwheat (or almond) flour, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder (if using), and salt.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk (or milk), melted ghee (or coconut oil), and the egg (if using).

• Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Don't overmix.

Cook the Pancakes

• Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat.

• Lightly grease the pan with ghee or coconut oil.

• Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake.

• Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.  

Prepare the Stewed Fruit

• While the pancakes are cooking, melt 1 tablespoon of ghee in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Add the diced apples or pears and sprinkle with cinnamon.

• Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the fruit is softened.

Assemble and Serve

• Stack the buckwheat pancakes on a plate.

• Spoon the stewed apples or pears over the pancakes.

• Drizzle with raw honey or maple syrup.

Serve warm.

Ayurvedic Benefits

• Buckwheat/Almond Flour: Provides grounding and nourishment. Buckwheat is better for Kapha and Vata, while Almond is better for Pitta and Vata.

• Cardamom, Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Warming spices that aid digestion and balance all doshas, especially Vata and Kapha.

• Ghee: A nourishing and grounding fat, particularly beneficial for Vata.  

• Stewed Apples/Pears: Cooked fruit is easier to digest and provides warmth.  

• Raw Honey/Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners that provide energy without spiking blood sugar. Honey should not be cooked, so add after cooking.

Tips for Dosha Balance

Vata: Use ghee, buckwheat flour, and warm spices.

Pitta: Use almond flour, coconut oil, and avoid overly spicy toppings.

Kapha: Use buckwheat flour, minimal sweetener, and spices like ginger (if tolerated) and black pepper (if tolerated) in the fruit topping.

Enjoy!

For more Ayurvedic cooking ideas get Rippan's Ayurvedic Cooking for Beginners book here!