Soaked Pancakes with Ancient Grains: ADHD Power Breakfast

One of the strategies for jump-starting the ADHD brain is to have a protein-rich breakfast. That’s a challenge for people racing to get to school and work on time at the tune of Mission Impossible in their heads. Wait, is that just me? Well, I’m in no way Ethan Hunt—I’m really more like Maxwell Smart, so don’t judge. All I can say is that I try, TRY, to have some things ready to go—like breakfast.

​I usually pack it for my kid so he can eat it at the cafeteria so needless to say, I am a big fan of morning foods that are:

1. Delicious
2. Nutrient dense (nutritious)
3. High in protein
4. Homemade if possible
5. Easy and fast to pack
6. Microwave-friendly (25-60 seconds max)
7. Freezable

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
That’s right, this recipe fits the bill. I could go on and on about it, but all I’m going to say is that the first time my kid ate these pancakes he said something about having the moon, the stars, and the planets in his mouth. That’s enthusiasm enough for me. At any rate, this recipe is from Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions--a classic cookbook featuring traditionally prepared foods from, you know, way back when our ancestors didn’t have teeth by age forty—if they made it to age forty. Just kidding, there’s a lovely explanation here.
Moving on. I always use a ratio of half Einkorn flour and half Spelt flour with great results. I made this ratio up because I love both flours like a mother loves both of her children equally. That may sound absurd because I didn’t give birth to either grains, but the love is real, people. Einkorn wheat is so ancient, it’s literally “the original wheat”. It dates back 10,000 years, it hasn’t been hybridized, and therefore it has “40% more protein and 15% less starch than commercial wheat, abundant B Vitamins, and trace minerals like iron,” as explained by the Jovial brand. You can read more on Einkorn here. As for Spelt—a cousin of durum wheat—it hasn’t been hybridized either and it’s an ancient grain dating back 8,000 years. I love the nutty flavor and texture and it’s much easier to digest. I use Bob’s Spelt flour. If you’ve never heard of these flours, you should totally give them a try. You might just fall in love. However, if you don’t want to bother, whole wheat flour would probably work just fine. Do not use regular white flour with this recipe, it will turn into a glutinous mess! Hey, let me know how you like this recipe!

Soaked Pancakes with Ancient Grains: ADHD Power Breakfast

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Total time: 1 hour 5 mins

Author: Slightly modified from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 7 servings of 2 pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 cup einkorn flour
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Optional: sprinkle of cinnamon and/or ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Totally optional but kid-friendly: chocolate chips, or blueberries

Instructions

1. Combine the flours and buttermilk in a glass container, cover overnight for at least 8 hours
2. It will have the consistency of a thick batter, that's ok.
3. The next morning, add salt, baking soda and slightly cooled melted butter to the batter.
4. Beat the eggs in a small bowl and mix them in the rest of the batter.
5. Mix everything well until incorporated.
6. Heat the iron cast pan on medium-low heat.
7. Coat with butter and cook ¼ cup of the batter at a time.
8. If adding the optional ingredients, you can insert 4-5 chocolate chips (or blueberries) per pancake and gently cover them with the batter around. This prevents them from burning on contact with the pan.
9. Flip over when edges are getting dry.
10. Remove and serve.
11. To freeze: lay pancakes flat on a baking sheet, cover with aluminum foil for at least 2-3 hours and store them in freezer bags. These will keep well in the freezer for a month. When ready to eat, pull out a couple and either toast them until warm. You can also microwave them until warm (about 20-30 seconds) but they won't be firm, they'll be softer.