Even though the cold weather persisted, Owena was preparing for the Spring. The small bakery smelled of beets she was preparing for the spring tasting party.
“Nana! Nana Baker!” The small red headed girl ran into the kitchen, arms full of beets. “I got these out of the cellar. Just like you asked.” Owena dropped the beets onto the table in front of the plump gray haired woman.
“Thank you, Owena. It is always good to be prepared. Now, even though it is not spring, we can start getting ready for the season.”
It was a couple months away but she liked to be prepared. All people would feel welcome to attend so she wanted to have a wide variety. The date was undecided still. Strawberries star in many of the recipes and Owena needed to ask Huelyn if they were planting strawberries this year. The jams and other ingredients she ordered from Pansyblossom are critical for the spring recipes. She hoped Audea delivered them soon.
“We don’t have any fresh strawberries yet, but we can still create something beautiful. What is your favorite color, dear?”
“Pink!” The child squealed in delight.
The root Owena held in her hand was not very attractive. The white beet was larger than its red cousin and she prized them both. The red beets were used in one of her favorite family recipes. Pink pancakes, she made them often in the winter to help add brightness to the dull weather
“Are they almost ready?”
“All things have their time. They can’t be rushed or it could be undone. If you don’t watch carefully, they could burn. You can let your mind wander a bit while you work but not too much!”
While she worked she thought over her adventure with Loakee and Baldvin. “Eep!” She flipped one of the pink pancakes quickly to avoid it being burned. The trip inspired her to try new things. When she had told her Ma about the trip she had left out the part of the dark haired woman with the dagger and the dance under the stars. It would have caused too many questions but the entire adventure left her for a taste for something fresh.
“These are delicious, Owena. And beautiful. Just like you my little honey nut!”
The pink pancakes came out very well! Sharing them would be fun! The recipe would have to go into the cookbook Owena was finally starting to compile.
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～ ✿ ～ Pink Pancakes ～ ✿ ～
Take one beet, cut the top and bottom and boil until soft. Then remove the skin and cut it small. Place your pieces into a bowl and beat until fine texture.
Then make a batter as follows: Take four eggs, leaving out the whites. Beat them up with three spoonfuls of cream, a glass of brandy, quarter nutmeg and two spoonfuls flour.
Whip the batter for half an hour. When your batter is ready sweeten for taste.
Lightly butter your pan and fry a dollop of batter until firm. Do not cook your pancake for too long for it will turn brown and lose its color.
Serve warm with toppings of your choice.
～ ✿ ～
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OOC: More modern Recipe to try at Home
((OOC: A slightly more modern version to actually try at home. The presence of baking soda and baking powder in Middle Earth is uncertain. Yeast, beer, whipped eggs, and pearl ash are all possible subs))
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ tsp honey or white beet sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup red beet purée
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup buttermilk
Instructions
Whisk together the dry ingredients In another bowl, whisk together egg and maple syrup until frothy. Whisk in the beet purée, followed by the buttermilk. Gently stir the dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Over mixing will toughen the pancakes. Heat a griddle or large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Grease light. Spoon batter onto griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Cook 1 1/2 minutes, then flip, and cook until light brown, about one more minute. Serve pancakes hot with plenty of butter and pure maple syrup.
