Banana Pancakes

Banana Pancakes Ingredients:

• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 whole egg, lightly beaten
• 3 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 ripe large banana
• ⅓ cup whole grain flour or whole grain pancake/waffle mix (like Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 tablespoon whipped butter or soft tub spread
• 2 to 3 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional)

Optional Sautéed Apples

• 1 large apple, skin on, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon butter or soft tub spread
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste)

Instructions:

1. Combine cottage cheese, eggs, egg whites, banana, flour, and 1 tablespoon butter until everything is well mixed and relatively smooth. I like to use an electric or immersion blender.

2. If incorporating sautéed apples, liberally coat a skillet with nonstick oil spray and warm over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon butter and melt. Add apples and sauté until soft. Add cinnamon as the apples soften up and continue to sauté.

3. Add sautéed apples to batter and mix until everything is well combined.

4. Using the same skillet, reapply oil spray and ladle about ¼ cup batter (per pancake) and cook on each side for 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly golden brown.