Father’s Day is a time to celebrate all the fathers and father-like figures in our lives. The one day throughout the year that is wholly dedicated to dads everywhere. Growing up our Dad was always in charge of breakfast so for Father’s Day this year, we want to treat him. We teamed up with Canada’s own, Chef Michael Smith to deliver his take on Whole Grain Pancakes for Dad.
Chef Michael is known to prioritize the importance of family gatherings and joining one another at a sit-down table to spend quality time together. He and his wife run two five-star inns in Prince Edward Island, reinforcing the idea that quality time together is what really matters- viewed worldwide and author to over a dozen cookbooks, we trusted his judgement!
Whether it is breakfast-in-bed or a sit down meal, the best advice from Chef Michael is to keep it simple. Chef Michael’s Whole Grain Pancakes are great for special occasions such as Father’s Day. They are easy to make, fun to do with the kids and have a unique twist on the breakfast classic that everyone knows and loves.
Fluffy, buttered, with maple syrup or fruits- however you take your pancakes, they are so versatile and the perfect meal to please everyone at the table. The best part about pancakes … they are not time consuming. You get to treat dad with a well deserved breakfast, leaving enough time to spend the rest of the day having fun with him.
Although he is a professional Chef, Chef Michael is a dad first but says that you won’t find him in the kitchen on Father’s Day, “In my family, I don’t cook on Father’s Day or any holiday.” He enjoys anything his kids prepare for him and looks forward to spending the day with them- as a family.
“I think we’re all at our best when we come together around food and celebrating anything in life – like Father’s Day, 100 percent,” says Chef Michael.
Tips For A Successful Kitchen
- Stick to the basics. There is nothing wrong with sticking to the basics in order to make easy and healthy options. Try to stick with what you know, to build confidence in the kitchen.
- Who is at the table, matters more than what is on the table. Your friends and family will love you no matter what you prepare for them, so make something you are comfortable with. Something you have perfected in the kitchen.
- If you want to try something new for an event or celebration, try something different for the first course, side dish or even dessert. This way you are not stressing over the largest and most important course, the main course.
- Most important advice: Invest in high quality, heavy duty products. For their outstanding quality, Chef Michael stands by Meyer products. Made in P.E.I. Canada, Meyer’s stainless steel cookware is a sure way to set yourself up for success in the kitchen.
Pair this recipe with Meyer’s non-stick skillet for the best results. Chef Michael says that Meyer is everything he wants in an everyday cookware. It is, “top-quality” and has, “durable riveted handles and a thick encapsulated base that can really take the heat.” Meyer is Canadian made and Canadian trusted.
Recipe
Chef Michael Smith’s Whole Grain Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of whole-wheat flour
- 1 cup of quick-cooking oats
- 2 tablespoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of milk
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, vegetable oil, or melted butter, plus more for frying
- 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your largest, heaviest MEYER non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt, evenly distributing the finer powders amidst the coarser ones.
- In a second bowl with the same whisk, mix together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Switch to a wooden spoon and with just a few quick strokes stir the wet ingredients into the dry until a smooth batter forms.
- Lightly coat the pan with a splash of vegetable oil. Spoon in the batter, making pancakes any size or shape you want. Cook until the bottom of the pancakes are golden brown and holes appear on the top. Flip with a flourish and marvel at the gentle rise, the promise of a fluffy, tender interior. Continue cooking until the underside is also golden brown. Serve and share with lots of bacon maple syrup. If need be you can hold the finished pancakes in a preheated 200 degree oven while you finish up.
To learn more about Meyer’s cookware and to try new recipes, visit meyercanada.ca
