Date & Apple Pancakes

After the long hard slog of a busy week there is nothing more apt than a Saturday morning breakfast treat, that forgoes the practical mid-week Muesli in favour of something more indulgent.
Whether your nursing a hangover or just fancy something special, then these pancakes provide a great start to the day. Whilst this recipe uses dried Dates any dried fruit would suffice, Dates do however go well with the tart Apple sauce and the treacly depth of the Date syrup. Whatever fruit you choose, just plate up and serve with a cup of tea in your favourite mug!

Serves: 2 (makes around 6 pancakes)

You will need the following:

Pancakes:
100g Plain Flour
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
2 Eggs
75ml of Milk
A good Handful of dried Dates, or any other dried fruit you like
Oil

Apple Sauce:
A knob of Butter
1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
3 small Granny Smith Apples, peeled cored & cut into cubes

Topping:
Date syrup
A handful of Flaked Almonds

Method:
1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl, then add the eggs and milk and whisk until smooth
2. Fold in the dried dates and set aside
3. Toast the almonds in a dry pan over a medium-heat, tossing them to avoid burning. After a few minutes, and lightly browning set aside
4. Melt a knob of butter in the same pan, and add the apples. Saute for 3 minutes before sprinkling over the sugar
5. Keep the apples cooking for a further 8-10 minutes, or until they start to break apart forming more of a sauce. At this point add the cinnamon, mix and set aside
6. Heat a large non-stick frying pan, and add a tablespoon or so of oil
7. Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the pan cooking for 2 minutes, until air bubbles form upon the surface
8. Flip the pancakes and cook for a further 2 minutes, or until lightly browned
9. Top the pancakes with the apple sauce and almonds before drizzling over the date syrup