Cinnamon & olive oil pancakes with salted butter caramelized bananas

That's why I'm easy...I'm easy like Sunday morning ~ Lionel Ritchie

Lazy Sunday brunches are one of my favourite meals. 

I would go so far as to say my husband and I are brunchaholics.  We used to brunch it up every weekend making our way round the plethora of cafes in Auckland (how we managed to afford to as poor students I have no idea!).

These days though, we tend to have our brunch dates at home.   I'd like to think it's coz we are just more comfortable at home but really it's probably coz we're just too lazy to go out.

Having said that, there are few things more satisfying than whipping up a massive stack of pancakes, fluffy french toast, super quick eggs bene, creamy balsamic mushrooms or fruity bircher muesli and getting to enjoy it while still in the comfort of your jamies and ugg boots.  Why go out when you can laze around at home, test each other with the brain teaser quiz in the newspaper and have as much delicious brunch food as you like for a fraction of the price?       
 
And if these Cinnamon & Olive Oil Pancakes with Salted Butter Caramelized Bananas don't completely convince you to give the at-home-brunch-date a go then I don't know what will!

These pancakes are a firm favourite for us, so easy to whip up and with ingredients you always have in the pantry, they truly are a brunchilicious treat. 

To top it all off, they're actually pretty healthy.  The rolled oats not only give them a great texture but have been shown to decrease cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease.  Olive oil contains loads of antioxidants and also lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.  Even the cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol levels.

Who knew pancakes could be so good for you??

{me super pancake}

Ok sure, so the salted butter caramelized bananas probably don't add a huge health benefit but they are very delicious and rather sexy.  The salted butter is key - it just gives you a wonderful salty/sweet crunch that is so darn good.  If you're not a banana fan then try caramelizing peaches or pineapple or simply top with any fresh/poached/stewed fruit you fancy.


If you wanna go all out, then go on, fry up some streaky crispy bacon too.  Mmmmmm bacon...bacon makes all things good.

{not a scrap left}

Cinnamon & Olive Oil Pancakes with Salted Butter Caramelized Bananas

tweaked from Julie Le Clerc's @ Home, With Love

Serves 2-4 (the book says serves 4 but we managed to demolish the lot between the two us!)

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk
3 Tablespoons white sugar
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt

4 bananas, skin intact, sliced in half lengthwise 
~2 Tablespoons brown sugar for caramelizing
2 Tablespoons salted butter


maple syrup and creme fraiche to serve

1. Soak the oats in the milk for 10 minutes.  Add sugar, olive oil and the egg and mix.  Sift the dry ingredients into the mixture and mix until smooth.

2. Heat a large heavy based frying pan over medium heat and add a little olive oil.  Cook 1/2 cup-fuls of mixture per pancake for approx 2 minutes (you should see bubbles start to form and pop) then turn over and cook for another 2 minutes.   Keep pancakes warm in the oven as you cook the rest (I usually set it at around 100oC).

3. For the salted caramel bananas: Wash the heavy based frying pan then heat over medium heat.  Put the banana halfs skin down in the pan and cook until the skins turn black.  Take the bananas out of the pan.  Melt the salted butter in the pan with the brown sugar and spread it over the pan.  Turn the heat to medium-low.  Return the bananas to the pan cut side down and cook until golden brown and caramelized.

4.  Serve the caramelized bananas on top of a stack pancakes and drizzle over maple syrup and serve with a dollop of creme fraiche (and crispy streaky bacon if you're feeling naughty).