Matcha Green Tea Pancakes

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 Matcha is a powdered Japanese green tea that is vibrant in color as well as flavor.  You can find matcha in many health food stores and your favorite smoothies places.  It's health benefits include catechins, chlorophyll, vitamins C, E, B1, B2, carotene & proteins... to name a few (more info here).  I have found a new love for matcha, because of it's sweet yet vegetal taste.  It's actually a great compliment to chocolate!!  I wanted to think of how I could make green food for St. Patrick's Day, without using food coloring, and thought that bright green matcha would be a great addition to pancakes.  I have seen it in frostings and cakes and didn't think this would be too far off.  The matcha brightens the taste making it more rich, floral, and a surprisingly perfect compliment to the maple syrup.  You can make this recipe without the matcha, but I think it's a super food that is worth trying.

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Matcha Green Tea Pancakes

 1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (If you don't have whole wheat around you can just use all-purpose)

3 teaspoons matcha green tea powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk (I recommend whole milk); room temperature

4 tablespoons butter; melted and cooled

1 egg; room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

*Combine the flour, matcha, baking power, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl

*Whisk together to combine

*Combine the milk, melted and cooled butter, egg, and vanilla by whisking them together

*Slowly add the milk mixture into the flour mixture

*If the mixture is too thick you could add a little more flour

*Head the skillet (or griddle) to medium heat

*Brush the skillet with butter

*Scoop the pancake onto the hot skillet in whatever size pancakes you like

*When bubbles start forming on the top flip them over to cook on the other side

*Add a little more butter if needed; add a little butter creates nice edges on the pancake

*Serve them with warm maple syrup!

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