Fluffy Banana Pancakes with Strawberry Compote

I love mornings. I am definitely one of those people who wakes up an hour early so that I can have a coffee by myself before everyone else wakes up. And I love mornings that start with a cooked breakfast, especially pancakes.

But pancakes aren't always the healthiest option, and oftentimes leave you feeling overfed and full of sugar. These are a lighter, healthier option with no refined sugar while not scrimping on flavour. I have tweaked a few things in this recipe in the BBC summer diet plan to create this recipe, and I think it is better for the edits (although the added honey does add a few calories).

Banana Pancakes with Strawberry Compote
Serves 2-3
Time: 20 minutes

20 strawberries
2 TBSP water
4 tsp honey
2 smashed bananas
60g plain flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 eggs
50ml milk

Take the tops off the strawberries and cut them in quarters. Place the strawberries, water, and 3 tsp of the honey in a small saucepan. Smash the strawberries a little and bring the mixture to a bubble over medium. Reduce to low and simmer to thicken while you prepare and cook the pancakes. Remember to stir regularly.

In a bowl, combine the milk, bananas, 1 tsp honey, flour, bicarbonate of soda, and 2 egg yolks (reserve the whites in a separate bowl). Whisk the egg whites until they reach a soft peak and are light and fluffy. Stir in half the egg whites into the pancake mixture and then gently fold in the remaining whites until just combined.

Heat a skillet over medium-low and brush with a bit of rapeseed oil. Use a ladle to pour one pancake in the middle of the frying pan. Cook on one side until the edges of the pancake are set and the underside is nicely browned, then use a spatula to flip the pancake. Cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until the pancake is browned on both sides and cooked in the middle. Set aside on a cooling rack so moisture won't condense under the pancake and then cook the rest.

To serve, top the pancakes with the strawberry compote and eat immediately.