really thin pancakes

I am not often one to sit long enough for a movie.  But when in Central Oregon with my family, sometimes a movie is the perfect way to come together in the evening.  We pick a DVD from the small library beside the TV, scoop up some ice cream, and gather on the couches with dogs at our feet.

One movie we have watched a few way too many times is Talladega Nights.   It's just the right amount of funny and ridiculous for our family.  And (perhaps unfortunately) some of the lines have worked their way into our vocabulary.

So when thinking about making crepes for dinner, I couldn't help but be reminded of a scene from this movie.  "Reecky Booby" is threatened by his French competitor, claiming he will break his arm unless he says he loves crepes.  Adamantly against it, Ricky eventually realizes he does actually love crepes but refuses to say as much.   "So what if you just said, 'I love really thin pancakes?'  It's a fair compromise, no?" asks the competitor.  Because of this movie, crepes have become "really thin pancakes" in my mind. 

And before you sit down to enjoy your really thin pancakes, it is good to say grace: "Dear 8 pound 6 ounce baby Jesus...."

Crepes:

(makes about 8 - 8" crepes)

1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour

1/4 cup oat flour

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup almond milk

2 T olive oil 

Blend briefly (until just combined) in the jar of a blender. 

 In a nonstick pan that has been warmed over a medium flame, pour a small amount of batter (about 1/4-1/3 cup), swirling around the pan for coverage. 

Let the crepe cook about a minute, or until no longer runny in the middle. 

Gently slide a rubber spatula under one edge of the crepe to loosen. 

Then pick up the crepe with both hands (don't worry, I promise it won't burn) and flip the crepe over.

Let cook another 20-30 seconds or until completely set.

Remove from the pan (go ahead, use your fingies!  Just use the spatula to get it started so you don't touch the pan itself) and stack on a plate.

Filling:

(but feel free to use whatever you like!)

Sauteed Greens

Blue Cheese

Figs, cut in half and seared in a hot nonstick pan

Assembly:

On a single crepe and down the middle, place a few crumbles of blue cheese, 2-3 fig halves, and a spoonful of sauteed greens.

Wrap the sides around the filling, leaving the ends open.
Sear on two sides (seam side and the one opposite) in a hot nonstick pan. 

Transfer to your plate and enjoy! 

ball of wishes

Each summer as a child, our field would fill with dandelions, polka-dotting the green with bright yellow spots (I am sure it still does, but my Dad always mows the field before we get there.  You know, tidying up and such!).  We would collect them by the arm-load and string them together for floral crowns, necklaces and bracelets.  Sometimes we strung them as garlands across our pine-branch forts as a sort of decoration.

As summer edged toward it's end, the blackberries ripened and the dandelions turned to balls of wishes.  I would often get down on my tummy to get a good angle, fill up my lungs, and wish with all my might as a blew the seeds and their little parachutes across the browning field.   I don't recall what I wished for, all those summers.  Perhaps it was for the latest New Kids on the Block backpack or more neon pink scrunchies.

Now, when I see a dandelion, perfectly orbed in seeds, I am often struck by it's power of optimism:  I could wish for anything.  Anything at all.  What will you wish for?