In the streets of Juffeir in Bahrain
there is a little diner/pub called Ric’s Country Kitchen. When I was living there, I used to wait for Fridays to break off work and kick start the weekend with their to-die-for breakfast (or brunch). The place would be buzzing with people, and at times you really had to wait in line. But all worth the wait!
The menu is a straightforward, diner style breakfast, but with all the additions and sides to make your appetite take control. Of course, there was all types of egg preparations, hash browns, sausages, bacons strips, beans, grilled tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, the best ever French toast and the works. I am telling you, if you live in Bahrain or visiting, this is one place you have got to try! Having left Bahrain, and not yet found another version of Ric’s Country Kitchen here in Dubai, I would occasionally invite friends and family over for a Ric’s Breakfast at home. I would make the many varieties and we would devour them over breakfast/brunch. Try and do that for your family occasionally, you will all love it.
With that said, my most favourite Ric’s offering is their Blueberry Pancakes! They were light, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth, succulent, puffy pancakes that are just perfect. Pancakes are delicious as they are, but add a little blueberries and they transform into something extraordinary. They are seriously good! Also cooking the blueberries with the pancake batter means they heat up and start to burst, offering mushy, juicy berries in every bite, where their natural sugar is concentrated and just marvelous!
In my attempt to eat healthy, I have to come up with healthier ways to prepare food. That means eating wholesome meals and nutritious food using natural, real ingredients. So I completely take out any processed foods and make things from scratch. That means taking out any high fructose and corn syrups. Pancake Syrups are mainly maple flavoured high fructose corn syrups, which are honestly terrible for your health. Using the real organic 100% pure maple syrup is much better for you. Raw honey is also very good for your health and both have actual nutrients that your body will love. The blueberries here add a hint of natural fruit sweetness, which to me is more than enough. I do not savour overly sweet food anymore!
On the same note, just because I want to eat healthy, doesn’t mean I want to miss out on the goodness of my favourite foods. So I have worked out this blueberry pancakes recipe that is healthier, without compromising on the flavour or experience. Blueberries fall under the category of super foods. They are very good for you. They are antioxidants, packed with vitamins and are fruits that help prevent cancer. How is that for a healthy start? The pancakes in this recipe are relatively light, and if you do not go for maple or any other sugar syrup, they are low on sugar too. Another trick to reduce the calories and fat intake, is to have a well seasoned cast iron skillet or griddle, which is virtually a healthy non-stick option, that you can preheat and cook the pancakes on without greasing or adding butter. I find that these cast iron skillets produce wonderfully textured pancakes with excellent even browning. I also find that these non-greasy pancakes are much better than their counterpart greasy ones. So don’t hold yourself back, and treat yourself to these wonderful pancakes 🙂