Shanti Kitchen is always experimenting with new ways to use whole foods! Although it is not the fall, nor is thanksgiving around the corner, we decided to try a hotcake recipe using pumpkin! The result was delicious and to our surprise adding some goat cheese turned this brunch item into a potential pumpkin cheesecake! That is how we like to start our day after some morning fitness and yoga!

Shanti Mid-Week Brunch

Pumpkin Spice Hotcakes

Ingredients

1.5 cups organic spelt flour (or buckwheat for gluten-free)

1/4 cup organic brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground all spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1.5 cups organic soy milk + 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or buttermilk)

1 cup pumpkin puree (or fresh!)

2 large organic free range eggs

2 tbsp coconut oil

Garnish:

Maple Syrup

goat cheese

shredded coconut

Measure the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt into a large bowl. Mix well.

Whisk together the milk, pumpkin, eggs and oil in a medium bowl. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just blended.

Use griddle or frying pan to cook hotcakes. Pour 1/4 cup portions of batter onto the griddle. Flip once you notice bubbles and the underside is brown. Flip and cook hotcake another 30 seconds. Serve with maple syrup, goat cheese and shredded coconut.

We all know that the more greens we eat the better.

We also know that organic non-GMO tofu is a great source of vegetable protein.

Now here is something you may not know (unless you were at Shanti Retreat last weekend for Marla Ericksen’s Spring Retreat)…: Combining greens, of all kinds – we used kale, swiss chard and collards – with tofu and a spicy marinade is the best side dish ever!

Be sure to try it out at home and let us know how it turns out!!!

Spicy Sauteed Greens and Tofu

Makes 4-6 servings

One 1-pound block extra-firm tofu

3 tablespoons Tamari

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon Sambal

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

1 tablespoon grated ginger

2 pounds bitter greens, such as collard, mustard, baby bok choy, or dandelion, washed, trimmed, and torn into pieces

1 teaspoon sesame seeds, lightly toasted

1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

Prepare tofu (to absorb water). In a medium bowl, combine tamari; sesame oil; sambal; lime juice; ginger; and garlic. Set aside. Transfer tofu to medium bowl; toss with half the marinade; let sit for 30 minutes.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, arrange tofu in a single layer in pan. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to platter; repeat with remaining tofu. Gradually add greens to skillet with remaining marinade. Cook, tossing occasionally, until greens are wilted and most of the liquid has evaporated, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to platter with tofu. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and red pepper; serve.