Malted Wheat Germ Pancakes (+Kretschmer Wheat Germ Giveaway)

Growing up, my mom always had a jar of Kretschmer Wheat Germ in the fridge.  She would add a tablespoon to our smoothies or over our yogurt.  Okay, she'd sprinkle it any place she could get away with it.  But my favorite was always a slice of toast, slathered with peanut butter, and then topped off with a heavy smattering of wheat germ.  And to this day, it's still one of my favorite ways to start the day...alongside a tall, cold glass of milk.  And coffee, of course.

Now, I knew that she wheat germ because it was healthy.  But I wasn't sure what was healthy about it.  Turns out, all sorts of things.

To start, the germ is the part of the wheat kernel that sprouts and grows into a new plant.  It is also the part kernel that is most vitamin and nutrient-rich (and the part that's left out when the wheat is processed into white flour), and a fiber-rich source of high quality protein that contains only heart-healthy polyunsaturated fat.  And for every 2-tablespoon serving, wheat germ contains a powerhouse of vital nutrients like Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Thiamin, Phosphorus, and Zinc.*

Thanks, mom.

Did you know that September is National Breakfast Month?  And did you know that September is also Cholesterol Awareness Month?  In honor of both, I'm breaking out my jar of Kretschmer Wheat Germ and using it on a daily basis.

From my favorite use on peanut butter toast, to end-of-summer smoothies, to quick breads, muffins, and rolls, to granola and granola bars - we're all sure to have a serving a day.  And then I'm going to make a habit of it and continue beyond this month.

Let's start the whole thing off with a batch of these hearty, satisfying pancakes.  In our house, malted pancakes are always the first choice.  So I figured, why not put a twist on our usual malted cakes by adding wheat germ to them?  And yes, I should have thought of this ages ago.  Sometimes my brain needs a little jogging...a charge, if you will.

Malted Wheat Germ Pancakes

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Keywords: breakfast vegetarian nut-free American

Ingredients (12 pancakes)

• 2 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup malted milk powder
• 1 tablespoon wheat germ
• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Beat the eggs and milk in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.

In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients, and then whisk into the wet ingredients until just combined.

Whisk in the melted butter and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Heat a heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat. Have a little butter ready for greasing your skillet if it is not well-seasoned (or nonstick).

Scoop a scant 1/4 cup of batter onto skillet. Let cook until the bubbles begin to pop and the edges just start looking dry, ~2 minutes; flip. Cook until the bottom is golden, another minute or two.

Serve hot with butter and warm maple syrup - and berries, if you wish.

note:

You can switch up these pancakes by adding fruit or mini chocolate chips to the batter. Use regular whole wheat flour, or white whole wheat flour - or use only all-purpose flour.

GIVEAWAY

How do (or would) you use wheat germ as part of a healthy breakfast?  

Mandatory entry: Just leave me a comment on this post with the answer to that question (links to posts and/or recipes are welcome)! Be sure to record your entry in the rafflecopter widget below.  Once you've completed that entry, there are many more optional entries, if you wish.

This giveaway is open to residents of the US only.  Entries will be accepted through the end of the day (11:59 pm ET) on Monday, September 16, 2013.  I will notify the winner within 48 hours of the close of this contest; they will then have 24 hours to respond before I pick a new winner.  Good luck!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More ways to use wheat germ (for breakfast and beyond):
-Brown Bread
-Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chips Cookies from 101 Cookbooks
-Oatmeal Brown Ale Bread/Rolls
-Chocolate Granola w/ Walnuts & Wheat Germ from The Lemon Bowl
-Fruit & Oat Power Smoothies
-Wheat Germ Oat Muffins from Little Indiana
-Groovy Granola Bars
-Banana Wheat Germ Muffins from Weelicious
-Pumpkin Banana Smoothies

*source: Kretschmer.com
I received a free jar of Kretschmer Wheat Germ to do with as I pleased.  Kretschmer is also supplying the jar for the giveaway. All opinions stated in this post are my own.