Gluten-Free Oatmeal Blender Pancakes

Justin and I have enjoyed these pancakes a few times, found here. I know neither of you are big on pancakes, but I thought I'd still share. I would say they have a banana taste. The recipe calls for ground chia seeds, which I don't have and didn't want to buy. From my brief research, it seems that these are sort of a binding agent (could be wrong.) I substituted 1/2 Tbsp xanthan gum. I obviously don't know the difference since I've never used the chia seeds, but they turned out well. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 medium banana (overripe is good, but not necessary)
2 cups certified gluten-free oats
1 Tbsp ground chia seeds
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Place the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, banana, oats, chia seeds, and honey into the jar of a blender. Cover and blend at high speed for two minutes (if you skimp on the blender time, your mixture may not be thick enough). Add the salt, baking soda, and baking powder, and blend again just until mixed.

Pour approximately 1/2 cup batter onto lightly greased frying pan heated to a medium-high heat, making pancakes that are about 4 to 5 inches.

This recipe makes about 10 5-inch pancakes.

Tuscan Tomato Soup

I've made this a few times, served with grilled cheese sandwiches. The original recipe is found here.

Tuscan Tomato Soup
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, Small dice
- 3 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
- 2 Cups Chicken Stock
- 1.5 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/2 to 1 Cup Basil Pesto
- Salt and Pepper, to taste

Heat oil in a medium large soup pot. Add onions and cook over moderately low heat until completely translucent. Add tomatoes and allow to warm to a simmer. Add chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and allow to simmer for 15 minutes to allow for interchange of flavors.

Add whipping cream. Add pesto.

Blend to desired consistency in a food processor or blender. (Barbara reserves a little bit of the soup un-blended so there are some chunks.) Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.