3.24.2010

A Spoonful of Something, and Honey Almond Sauce

Yesterday was a rather rough day health wise, and I was feeling decidedly weepy and out of sorts, so I thought the best thing to do was go for a walk in the evening sunshine. Mums joined me and we had a good ol' visit as we strolled, waving jauntily at neighbors and total strangers driving by in their trucks. It's amazing the good a walk does for body AND soul. :-)


When I got home, I decided the next best thing to do was crack open a mini-tub of blood orange sorbet I'd been saving, and treat myself to a few spoonfuls. Just a few, mind you, then back in the freezer it went. :-)


 It was the best medicine. :-) I learned from Amuse-Bouche for Two the beauty of having a little bit of dessert every day. Not a bowlful, just a spoonful. Not a fistful of cookies, but a single one, enjoyed thoroughly. I love that. :-)

In other news, I've been trying to incorporate more buckwheat into my diet, and this weekend I made buckwheat pancakes with my Mum's wonderful Honey Almond Sauce. As kids, my three brothers and I LOVED pancakes and waffles, but my health-conscious Mum worried about all the sugary syrup we used. So she nosed around her cookbooks and found this beauty of a recipe that has delighted us every since. It's definitely not low-fat, but somehow using honey and ground almonds made us feel healthier. :-)


So, I made the buckwheat pancakes (from a mix - I confess! But it was organic - does that make it OK?).

Slathered them with natural peanut butter.

Then topped them with the gorgeous Honey Almond sauce.

 I smiled contentedly as I tasted that first bite. A rush of happy memories: brothers teasing and laughing around the table, fighting for the biggest pancake, Dad sipping coffee, Mum grilling pancakes as fast as we could eat them, sunshine streaming in the windows on a Saturday morning. Bliss.

Mum's Honey Almond Sauce
(From The New Natural Foods Cookbook)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup ground almonds

Directions:
  1. Combine honey, butter and cream in small saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil 5 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
  3. Stir in ground almonds.
  4. If using on pancakes or waffles, serve warm. Otherwise, let cool until it is spreadable.

24 comments:

  1. Tart, thanks for the mention. :) Made my day. I'm so glad you had a few spoonfuls. To deny yourself would have been a tragedy. Oh and pancakes slathered with peanut butter and then topped with your mum's honey almond sauce...how nice. How very nice. That would be a remarkable breakfast.

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  2. The almond sauce sounds just incredible. Because of the cream I'm assuming it needs refrigeration. How long will it keep if properly stored?

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  3. Krista--Love you! On the harder days we must dig for cheerfulness like a precious treasure. How sweet was the reward for you yesterday. Hang in there, my friend. Hugs!

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  4. Pancakes sound (and look) great! So sorry you're not feeling well. Hugs. Enjoy the sunshine! I am so glad it's back. :)

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  5. You're so welcome, Amuse! :-) You inspired me. :-)

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  6. It is truly amazing, Mary. :-) It does need to be chilled, yes. It's usually best used right away so the nuts stay crunchy, but it keeps beautifully for a couple weeks. I guess a good time would be as long as you'd usually keep cream? :-)

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  7. I love you too, Marie! :-) It's awfully encouraging to know I'm not the only one plodding along through these dreadful health things. We WILL prevail. :-)

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  8. Aren't they splendid, Trish? :-) Such perfect comfort food. :-) I'm doing a bit better today and absolutely LOVING the sunshine. :-)

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  9. I will have to try the syrup! yum!! I have used an organic buckwheat pancake mix before. My girls didn't love it but they ate it. I'm thinking that maybe adding a little greek yogurt to the batter would make them more moist and give them a little tang. Yours look wonderful!!! I love reading all of your posts and your pictures are beautiful! Transporting me from my small dirty town to lovely places all over the world! Thank you!

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  10. My dear Michelle, I'm SO glad you stopped by! :-) I think Greek yogurt would be a great improvement for sure. :-) I'm so glad you like the photos and such. They're such therapy for me and I'm glad they delight you too. :-)

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  11. Looks yummy! will have to try this soon..

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  12. Thank you, Tangerine! :-) I LOVE your blog!!! :-)

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  13. Well you know I've been all pancaked out this year but I really love this, especially spreading peanut butter on them. Hope you are feeling perkier today.

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  14. I'm so glad, Sarah! :-) You can actually chill the sauce and use it as a spread. :-) I AM feeling perkier today, thanks! :-) A good sleep, sunshine and healthy food are doing wonders. :-)

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  15. yay for going on walks and getting those endorphins flowing! That is definitely the key to restoring happiness.

    Those pancakes...well you already know they are amazing. Both honey and almonds are SUPER healthy so those babies were stuffed with superfoods!

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  16. Ohhh, thanks for the affirmation, Joanne! :-) I appreciate it greatly. :-)

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  17. Oh so pleased you had a beautiful walk with your mum and felt better. Good idea about the dessert everyday...just got to be strong about not having too much lol.

    Those pancakes and syrup look great....thanks to your mum :)
    xoxo

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  18. Swoon oh swoon.

    I miss buckwheat pancakes.

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  19. I know! That's the hard part, eh, DJ? :-) I'm so glad for the walk too. It really helped. :-)

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  20. I love them so much now that I've found them, Frugal! :-) Delish!!

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  21. I love that spoon in the sorbet. And I love blood oranges!!!

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  22. Me too, Ozoz! :-) I found those little teaspoons in a store and simply had to have them. :-)

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  23. Hi Tart--
    You are so right. A good walk outside can work wonders. I have a little note taped on the wall inside my bedroom closet for inspiration, right where I can see it everyday. It says, "A better mood is always just one brisk walk away."

    Hope you're feeling better today.

    (That orange sorbet looks darn good. Gives me ideas . . . )

    :) Jane

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  24. Ohhh, I LOVE that idea of your note, Jane! SO much. :-) I want to do that myself. :-)

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