Sweet Potato Pancakes

Recipe inspired by the play “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry

“I want to fly! I want to touch the sun!”

“Finish your eggs first.”

There is something about breakfast that kept tugging at Lorraine’s mind. Perhaps it was the way it could be so humble or so indolent. Reminding her of people in a way, some so modest and hardworking, some looking for get-rich-quick schemes and arrogance. The complexities of the people she admired and she disliked, of humanity in general. How could the writing of her day be so one dimensional on her beloved family, her race? She could do better. One must reach for the sun.

She considered the eggs: simple, unassuming and nutritious. She could write someone like that. That’s it! She would craft this character to be like a warm hug. A grandmother who could be helpful and rational; no aspirations other than to give her family security and happiness. A character that would be able to to give sage advice and feed their bodies and souls.

Then again, she needed a character to be like her sweet potato pancakes that just arrived at the table. Slightly exotic to the average, more colorful, and a lot more soul to challenge the status quo. The character must be unsure of where she fits in life: young, impulsive, and slightly sweet. Maybe with a little African flair and a lot of style.

Lorraine kept working on the characters and savoring every bite of the tangerine-tinted pancakes. They were hearty, sweet, and oh so flavorful. She really was indulging this morning but, she reasoned, it’s hard writing on an empty stomach.

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Sweet Potato Pancakes

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword A Raisin In The Sun, Vegetarian
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup mashed, cooked sweet potato steamed or roasted w/coconut oil works well)
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil
  • 1 1 cup heavy whipping cream (whipped with agave), maple syrup, or stone fruit compote (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat your biggest, flattest skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

  2. Mix the first 5 ingredients (the dry) in a large bowl.

  3. Mix until smooth and slightly lightened in color the second five ingredients (the wet) in a medium bowl.

  4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and stir 10 times (don't over mix, there will be lumps and that's good)

  5. Grease your skillet with a thin layer of butter or coconut oil

  6. Ladle pancake batter into about 3 inches around pancakes cook until the bubbles on the top have popped and look dry then flip (about 2-3 minutes per side)

  7. Pile them up and top with whipped cream, maple syrup, compote or just more butter.

More about Charlotte

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20 Comments

    1. killingthymeDana

      March 8, 2016

      Love these, and love the idea behind this entire blog! Wow, how refreshing. I feel like I need to go through your entire blog right now, as if it were a new series of books.

      1. Mica

        March 14, 2016

        Thank you! We are all avid readers and love the fact that we can get as creative as we want! It’s awesome and a lot of fun. 🙂

    1. meaghanlamm

      March 8, 2016

      I adore how this post is written. Kudos from a fellow writer of novels 🙂 Plus sweet potato pancakes? Yes, please!

    1. Dee

      March 8, 2016

      My kids are crazy about sweet potatoes and pancakes, so they would love this — yum!

    1. Savory Spicerack

      March 8, 2016

      These look absolutely wonderful! I saw your recipe and shared it on my timeline last week when it caught my eye. I love anything sweet potato!

      1. Mica

        March 14, 2016

        As do we! If it were up to us, all of our recipes would include sweet potato!

    1. watchlearneat

      April 2, 2016

      These look amazing! Definitely colorful and exotic! Awesome recipe! 🙂

    1. Garlic + Zest

      April 3, 2016

      Oh-Ma-Gawd! Over the top! Apply directly to my thighs!

    1. Wandercooks

      April 3, 2016

      100% agree. In fact, it’s almost impossible to write on an empty stomach, which is why I’ll be making these asap then crafting my next post. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂

Comments are closed.