Heart-Healthy Granola Power Pancakes with Super Fruit Salsa

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried tart cherries, chopped
• 1/3 cup tart cherry juice
• 2 cups low-fat pancake mix
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 cup granola
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 2 cups 1% low-fat milk (or milk substitute of your choice)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• Cooking spray
• 3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Salsa Ingredients

• 2/3 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup dried wild blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup tart cherry juice
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 3 (2 inch) pieces stick cinnamon
• Dash of ground cloves
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat griddle.
2. In a small sauce pan over medium-high heat, stir cherries and juice until cherries are plump and juice is absorbed. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix pancake mix, wheat germ, granola, egg, egg substitute and milk until blended. Add cherries and almond extract and blend.
4. Spray heated griddle with cooking spray. Portion 1/3 cup batter onto surface, cook until bottom is golden brown, then turn and cook until golden. Top with favorite syrup and sprinkle with almonds.
5. For Salsa: Combine cherries, cranberries, blueberries, 1 1/2 cups water, the cherry juice, brown sugar, stick cinnamon and cloves in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
6. Stir together 1/3 cup water and the cornstarch. Add cornstarch mixture to cherry mixture. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; gently simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; remove stick cinnamon.
7. Serve mixture warm over pancakes, waffles, French toast, hot cereal or ice cream.

Courtesy of The Cherry Marketing Institute

“Dried cherries are a great heart-healthy addition to your favorite pancake or breakfast bread batter. Top with a warmed Super Fruit salsa of dried cherries, cranberries and blueberries for an added antioxidant boost.”