Boxing Day was always going to start early when my twin nephews and niece were in town! They are 3 and 5 and full of energy. I was up at 6am when one of the twins decided that he was ready to start his day. I had mentally prepared for this, so to be fair it was not bad at all. I made a porridge mixed with bananas for the twins, while their older sister was seemingly content with a bowl of fruit (strawberries). However this did not last longer because a few hours later she looked at me and said ‘Aunty Bunmi, I’m hungry!” I was not suprised and I was also once again prepared, having thought about quick and easy things that I could make for these little ones while they were in my home. Pancakes seemed like just one of those quick and easy recipes and would use ingredients that I already had in my cupboards.

So we had banana pancakes with honey, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe banana (around 150g)
• 2 tbsp golden caster sugar
• ¼ tsp fine salt
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil , plus extra for cooking
• 120g self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 150ml oat, almond milk or soya milk
• syrup , sliced banana and berries, to serve (optional)

Method

1. Mash the banana in a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar, salt and oil. Add the flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly. Make a well in the centre and gradually whisk in the milk. The batter should be a thick, droppable consistency. 
2. Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add 2 tbsp of the batter to make American-style pancakes. You will be able to make about 4-5 at a time. Fry on each side for 2-3 mins until golden. Serve with syrup, sliced banana and berries, if you like.